Microsoft and GM

KenpoTess

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For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon". In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: If GM had developed technology like! Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics ( and I just love this part):

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull over to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10.You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.
 
Originally posted by KenpoTess

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.


I love this one.

You are locked out, yet the requirement is to turn the key while doing all the following. I could jsut hear the help desk now. WHat you do not have your windows Open.



On a serious note:

Microsoft actually did petition GM to write our software that talks to the hardware and interfaces with the Application Code. In Embedded Sytems tis is called BIOS, or Basic Input Output System, or to some Basic Interface Operating System.

Now the cost of the whole Brain Box or Computer for your Engine or Transmission is about $100. Microsoft told us we had to pay a flat fee and then pay a per usage license fee. The License fee was about $75. Now how would you like to add this cost to your car as well as all the problems.

In a business, where pennies of cost require lots of approval :D, then spending dollars just is not an option.
:cool: :asian:
 
Microsoft and AOL should be defraged. I've been fighting AOL all day with their constant "You've been terminated by an outside host" HEY! I GOT YOUR OUTSIDE HOST RIGHT HERE":rofl:

Any minute now you all mite feel an input as I deliver a sidekick to my computer.:p
 

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