Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!bellcore!rutgers!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mandrill!gatech!dcatla!holos0!lbr
From: lbr@holos0.UUCP (Len Reed)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Why Can't Microsoft Write Protect Their Distribution Disks?
Message-ID: <696@holos0.UUCP>
Date: 31 May 88 15:21:44 GMT
References: <101@dcs.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Holos Software, Atlanta, GA
Lines: 46

in article <101@dcs.UUCP>, wnp@dcs.UUCP (Wolf N. Paul) says:
> 
> In article <5131@nsc.nsc.com> woolsey@nsc.UUCP (Jeff Woolsey) writes:
>>Why can't the _end-user_ simply write-protect the diskettes before use?
> 
> Maybe the END-USER is lazy, or forgetful, or careless, etc., and after
> clobbering his distribution disk finds solace in blaming the publisher
> rather than his own stupidity?
> 
It seems to me that an honorable manufacturer should takes steps to ensure
that his product is easy to use and difficult to misuse if such steps do
not add appreciably to the cost.  It's difficult for me to see how the
cost of the diskettes or the duplicators could amount to much (if anything)
given Microsoft's volume.  Have you ever seen a pre-recorded audio or video
cassette that was write-enabled?

Given the horror stories on the net about stupid users inserting diskettes
sideways, etc., why tie up your support persons with this problem?  Maybe
you don't have any write-protect tabs handy.  Maybe your're in a hurry--okay,
this means you're reckless, but still, it's so trivial for the supplier to
write protect the media.

> BTW, you can leave write-protected diskettes next to a ringing telephone
> and they will be nicely clobbered despite the write-protection. Maybe
> we should ask Microsoft for diskettes which somehow cannot be placed 
> next to a phone, or on a hot radiator, or left in a car in full sunlight?

This is just stupid.  You're saying that because they can't protect against
everything they should do nothing.  By the same logic, auto manufacturers
shouldn't put in seat belts since the user can still drive the car off a
300 foot cliff.  But you're actually arguing that even if seatbelts were
of negligible cost to the manufacturer, and given that no reasonable
argument can be put forth for driving without them (as no reasonable
argument exists for using writable distribution media), it should be the
driver's responsibility for aquiring and installing the seatbelts.  It
is reprehensible to ship a product without the the required saftey
equipment--to do so when the equipment is of negligible cost (diskettes
without notches) shows that Microsoft really doesn't care about customer
convenience.  There is, of course, abundant evidence for this.  (But then
maybe you think "MORE XYZ" should stupidly sit waiting for keyboard input
rather than reading the file or complaining. :-) )
-- 
"You know I'm right--you've resorted to abuse."  --Good Neighbours TV show
The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer, but
we generally agree.
    -    Len Reed