Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 25th Jun 2008 22:47 UTC, submitted by Flatland_Spider
We're really on the subject of software installation issues on OSNews lately, and this story, making its rounds on the internet, fits in quite well. Back in the day, during the antitrust lawsuits against Microsoft, Microsoft had to make a whole slew of corporate email public. In light of Gates' imminent withdrawal from Microsoft, SeattlePI dug up a little gem among these emails, one in which Bill Gates goes on a full-blown rant about the difficulties he had trying to download and install Windows MovieMaker, back in 2003.
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Member since:2005-08-18
Member since:2005-07-13
I dont know what microsoft.com you went to but the one I tried sure didnt have a gigantic dialog about installing silverlight. All I see is a small "bubble" about trying the site in silverlight. Not obtrusive in any way.
I just went to www.microsoft.com and got the "big window" like the parent post. Using Firefox 3.0.
This is the first time I have gone to microsoft.com in a LONG time so maybe it depends on browser and/or cookies.
EDIT... Just checked, went back to the sight and only the "small bubble" now. So it seems that cookies on the browser are involved as to what you see.
Edited 2008-06-26 06:17 UTC
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Member since:
2006-09-07
As for the message, Gates smiled and said, "There's not a day that I don't send a piece of e-mail ... like that piece of e-mail. That's my job."
I'm not sure which is more surprising: that Gates is acting as some sort of post-release quality control tester, or that after 5 years and (presumably) many hundreds of such messages, it doesn't seem to have made a difference in the quality and usability of Microsoft.com
In fact, visiting today, the first thing I see is an in-your-face dialogue to install Silverlight. It obscures the rest of the homepage until I either decline or accept. Gee, thanks.