On Fri, 3 Oct 2003, Major Variola (ret.) wrote:
We'd like to file a class-action suit against MARCY HAMILTON For abusing the law, and holding toolmakers responsible for what lusers do with them.
Not exactly good analogy. The mentioned "toolmaker" behaves so recklessly they well-deserve some serious slapping. There is a huge difference between making a bug time to time and release patch as soon as possible, and reckless endangering of the whole world by both lousy code, intentionally wrong key architectural decisions, and keeping everything and the kitchen sink on by default, including services that next to nobody (except worms) needs - if the users need it, they should be able to click on "Enable" on their own. Not even mentioning the tendency of the patches (and following patches to patches) to break something else. Can't remember when an upgrade of OpenSSH or OpenSSL or any other contemporary bug breeder of the MS-alternative bombed any of my systems. Or when I had to reboot instead of just restarting the updated service. If for nothing other than for running scripts in incoming mails by default, MSFT deserves it. (Yes, I admit bias. Having to admin a couple machines running their software should be enough to justify it.) Resorting to worn-out car analogies, it's quite like selling cars with safety belts made of paper and with faulty brakes (not talking about the occassional tendency of the mentioned cars to lose their engine, explode in the middle of the road, or shred the luggage in the trunk). Or, if we have to talk about tools, selling electric drills that in default configuration tend to shatter to pieces flying around when set to highest rpms. In such cases, a class-action lawsuit is likely to be swift. Though I am not sure if the personal-informations-disclosure venue is the good one.