Microsoft blames Real Networks bugs for problems

[Brett Glass <brett@lariat.org>]

Microsoft has now resorted to at least two different stories to explain the
RealPlayer problem. At first, Microsoft said that the problems cropped up
exclusively with the new "G2" player, now in beta, and that they hadn't had
time to discover the problem. When it was pointed out that the problem also
occurs with RealPlayer 5.0, and that Real Networks had contacted them in
May, Microsoft abruptly changed its story, saying that the malfunction was
due to a bug in RealPlayer. At which point, Real Networks pointed out that
Microsoft's software disabled not only Real Networks' product but also
several other rival players. (Did EVERYONE just happen to make the same
programming "mistakes?" Was there a convenient omission in the developer
docs? Or is Microsoft itself breaking the rules and disabling everyone
else? Hmmmm.)

In any event, Microsoft has been whacked upside the head so much by this
whole affair that they're almost certain to do damage control by making
things work.... THIS time. But will this remain the exception rather than
the rule?

The "response" from Gates to Glaser sure looks as if it were generated by a
mail-answering "'bot," which saw the word "Washington" and spit out a
canned phrase. On a recent trip to DC, a Senate aide demonstrated to me the
"boilerplate letter writer" used by her fellow staffers, and showed me how
easy it was to generate nonsense with it.

--Brett

-------------------

Dear Constituent:

Thank you for your timely letter on the subject of YOU'RE A DIMWITTED JERK.
This is a timely issue to which I and my staff have been devoting a great
deal of thought and attention. Your observation that YOUR MOTHER CHEWS OLD
PANTY HOSE has been noted, and I'll be sure to consider it when dealing
with legislation addressing the important question of WHAT DID YOU DO WITH
THAT BRIBE, ER, CONTRIBUTION I SENT YOU? I WANT IT BACK.

I take great pride in listening to my constituents, and hope you will write
often. 

It's great to live in America.

Sincerely yours,
Senator Blorch