Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc:11267 comp.lang.c:7011 misc.legal:3738 Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!netsys!killer!nortond From: nortond@killer.UUCP (Daniel A. Norton) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.lang.c,misc.legal Subject: Re: MSC 5.0 Bugs, Microsoft ``support'' Message-ID: <3153@killer.UUCP> Date: 30 Jan 88 11:19:27 GMT References: <248@pyuxf.UUCP> Reply-To: nortond@well.UUCP (Daniel A. Norton) Organization: Home Lines: 46 In article <248@pyuxf.UUCP> robf2@pyuxf.UUCP (robert fair) writes: >I recently bought the MSC 5.0 Optimizing Compiler on the strength of >Microsoft's ads. Pretty slick ads, eh? >I followed Microsoft's directions for support, submitting test programs >showing the problem etc, and asking for an update. I saved time and phoned them directly about my problem. Before I told them what the problem was, I asked if they would provide me a fix if I found something new. They declined and I did not tell them about the bug. >So here I am having spent several $000 on a compiler which does not >perform as advertised and the manufacturer refuses to fix. > >Does anyone have any suggestions where to go from here ? Yes. Please tell the rest of us on the network about the problem. At least we can work around these bugs if we know about them. In your report, however, include a restrictive copyright notice particularly restricting Microsoft from using the report for internal use and bug-fixing. These bug reports are of very high commercial value to Microsoft. It does not seem like a fair trade to report a bug to them and have them turn around and profit by it without renumeration to the person who spent time diagnosing the problem. A month or so ago, I reported a bug in a MSC intrinsic which included such a copyright notice. If anyone has information which suggests that Microsoft or an employee of Microsoft has violated the license agreement, please inform me. >I feel that Microsoft got me to buy MSC under false pretenses, since their >ad's claimed features which don't work, and Msoft refuses to make them work. > >I know Msoft has a lousy reputation for support - if there are other >people out there with the same feelings as me maybe its time for >a group lawsuit. ... I would be interested in participating in such a "class-action" suit, but I am ignorant of such legal options. Anyone in misc.legal care to comment? -- Daniel A. Norton ...{lll-lcc,ptsfa,hplabs}!well!nortond 544 Cormorant Drive Voorhees, NJ 08043 609/751-7381