Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site hplabsc.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!mcnc!ncsu!ncrcae!ncr-sd!hp-sdd!hplabs!hplabsc!taylor From: taylor@hplabsc.UUCP (Dave Taylor) Newsgroups: mod.comp-soc Subject: Re: disclaimers in electronic mail Message-ID: <392@hplabsc.UUCP> Date: Mon, 30-Jun-86 20:45:43 EDT Article-I.D.: hplabsc.392 Posted: Mon Jun 30 20:45:43 1986 Date-Received: Tue, 1-Jul-86 19:01:57 EDT Reply-To: hplabs!ihnp4!opus!ki4pv!tanner Organization: Hewlett-Packard Laboratories Lines: 34 Approved: taylor@hplabs Reference: <348@hplabsc.UUCP> -------- This article is from ihnp4!opus!ki4pv!tanner and was received on Wed Jun 25 17:55:49 1986 -------- You've touched an interesting topic when you mention disclaimers. Of course, most everything we get in the computer world comes with a disclaimer. In particular, software is not claimed to work. Sure, the adverts in the magazines look nice and glossy. The problem is that, if the thing doesn't work as advertised, the manufacturer disclaims any duty to pretend he cares. If the distribution media are bad in the first 30 days, he will generally replace them. Wonderful! How many of us would tolerate a car whose sole warantee was that if the whitewalls on the tyres are omitted, new tyres will be supplied? I wouldn't want to buy groceries which came only with the assurance of legible packaging. Still, software is sold with only the assurance that it will be readable. If a new appliance causes your house to burn down, you may have a good case () against its maker. If your new software package causes your system to loose all of your data, the manufacturer disclaims any responsibility. It is interesting to note, by the way, that such disclaimers are invalid in most states. Where the packages say "there is no assurance of merchantibility &c. (some states disallow some provisions -- void in such states)" you may read "most all states". If your accounting package doesn't work, you may still have some recourse which you didn't expect. Tanner Andrews, Systems CompuData South, DeLand