Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!amdahl!tat00
From: tat00@amdahl.uts.amdahl.com (Tom Thackrey)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: When will Microsoft give us a *REAL WORLD* C Compiler
Message-ID: <32505@amdahl.uts.amdahl.com>
Date: 20 May 88 01:08:24 GMT
References: <5537@megaron.arizona.edu>
Reply-To: tat00@amdahl.uts.amdahl.com (Tom Thackrey)
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale  CA
Lines: 44

In article <5537@megaron.arizona.edu> gudeman@arizona.edu (David Gudeman) writes:
>In article  <1466@microsoft.UUCP> markro@microsoft.UUCP (Mark Roberts) writes:
>>.. MS stuff deleted ...
>
>But you don't give the fixes to the people who have already bought the
>buggy software right?   ...stuff deleted ...
>....  When a software product
>(or any product for that matter) fails to meet specifications, the
>seller is morally (and often legally) obligated to correct the problem
>without charge.  ... more stuff deleted ...

I find myself in the unexpected position of defending Microsoft.  I have
a pile of MS products (MS-DOS, C, QBasic, Mouse, Windows, Windows SDK ...).
As with any products there are problems from time to time.  I have phoned,
written, FedEx'd and sent net mail.  I have had to talk to several people,
wait, try again etc.  On occasion I have had to upgrade my software to get
a fix.

However, when I needed a new printer driver for MS-Word, I was
given the name of a local dealer who GAVE me 4 disks full of printer and
display drivers.  When I complained by mail of a QuickBasic bug which
turned out to be covered in the READ.ME file, I got a phone call within
a week explaining my error to me and asking me to call back if their
diagnosis proved inaccurate.

When I started working with Windows, MS had setup a Windows forum on
GEnie for those of us who didn't want to pay for DIAL (MS tech support
BBS).  They also have uploaded a bunch of fixes and sample software
to GEnie and several of their employees are regulars on the system.

When I buy an update, I notice that the total price I pay is the same if I
get or skip the minor updates (e.g. $75 for 2.0-3.0, $25 for 2.0-2.1 and
$50 for 2.1-3.0).

I am not under the illusion that MS products or support are perfect,
but, they aren't significantly worse than most of the industry and
they are better than some.  Their major offense seems to be that
they are big and successful.

FLAME ON -- As far as moral obligation goes, I suggest you buy the
product before you scream about poor support.
-- 
Tom Thackrey tat00@amdahl.uts.amdahl.com <=> amdahl!tat00

[ My opinions are only my own. ]