Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!hsi!tankus
From: tankus@hsi.UUCP (Ed Tankus)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Why Can't Microsoft Write Protect Their Distribution Disks?
Message-ID: <997@hsi.UUCP>
Date: 31 May 88 11:38:26 GMT
References: <175@optilink.UUCP> <978@hsi.UUCP> <5873@cup.portal.com> <101@dcs.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Health Systems Intl., New Haven, CT
Lines: 55

In article <101@dcs.UUCP>, wnp@dcs.UUCP (Wolf N. Paul) writes:
> 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?
> 
> 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?
> -- 
> Wolf N. Paul * 3387 Sam Rayburn Run * Carrollton TX 75007 * (214) 306-9101
> UUCP:     ihnp4!killer!dcs!wnp                 ESL: 62832882
> INTERNET: wnp@DESEES.DAS.NET or wnp@dcs.UUCP   TLX: 910-280-0585 EES PLANO UD

As all the flames seem to indicate, I would not either work for those flaming
me nor be hired by them.  Maybe I should keep my resume to myself.  :-)

Wolf has aired a point missed by me and the rest of the torches.  You can't
protect all of the people all of the time.  You do your best, as an employee
and as a company, to protect users from themselves.  But when these people
can't figure out that the off switch is NOT on the monitor, when they DO figure
this out and promptly power-off a Xenix system while database accesses and the
like are in progress, what are you going to do?

NOW you may argue 

	1)  What's a neophyte doing with a Xenix system?
	2)  Who put THAT idiot in charge?
	3)  etc.

I have seen more diskettes wrapped with rubber bands and paper clips than you
can shake the proverbial stick at.  No matter what you do people either won't
understand or just refuse to listen.  Heck, many states had to install a 
seat belt law because no one believed that using seat belts would save their 
lives.  Now, maybe my employer should put in a clause in our licensing 
agreement that says if you do not apply your write protect tabs we will 
REVOKE your license!  :-)

This discussion is really bordering on the trivial now.  Can we know move
our joysticks on to the next asteroid belt?


Cheers!

-- Ed.
    
Net  :       {uunet,ihnp4,noao,yale}!hsi!tankus
Snail:       Health Systems Int'l, 100 Broadway, New Haven, CT 06511
Bell :       (203) 562-2101

Disclaimer:  No one is responsible for my ravings.  Not me and certainly NOT
	     my employer!