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From: davidr@hplsla.HP.COM (   David M. Reed)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Microsoft's "customer support"
Message-ID: <5280005@hplsla.HP.COM>
Date: Sun, 19-Apr-87 02:05:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hplsla.5280005
Posted: Sun Apr 19 02:05:00 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 20-Apr-87 23:38:24 EST
References: <502@hadron.UUCP>
Organization: HP Lake Stevens, WA
Lines: 30


On the subject of MicroSoft...

First, one positive note: I like the new phone system for reasons like those
mentioned in the preceeding couple of notes. 

Second: they do seem to have some difficulties coming up with authoritative
answers if the question is not a simple one.

Third (MAJOR GRIPE): The seem to be the RULE MAKERS, and yet violate those
rules (or is it change the rules in the middle of the game?) more than anyone
else (like they have special rights?).  I have read several times of their
comments as to why they are having such difficulty coming out with a DOS for
the 2/386 (protected mode and all).  It seems that they were complaining how
there were to many "ill-behaved" programs that directly addressed hardware
instead of using the operating system (or at least the BIOS) and that made for
great problems in trying to control more than one program operating at the
same time.  Yet, for example, MSWord has caused more system problems and
interference than most any other program I have ever dealt with.  A simple
example was using a keyboard with separate cursor keys and numeric keypad
before IBM came out with their "enhanced" keyboard.  If I happen to start WORD
with the NUM LOCK on (such as having just used 123), then my cursor keys
became number keys until I re-booted the computer.  Of course, MicroSoft feels
it is my fault for using a computer that is not 100% IBM HARDWARE compatible,
but the problem (and others I experience) would not happen if they didn't
"take over the keyboard" (as claimed via Customer Service).  But would we not
have had a new operating system exploiting the 80286 capabilities by now if
they didn't have to deal with programs written by themselves?

Of course, I could go on extensively.  But I let others add their stories.