Re: Intuit's CEO calls for 'OS neutrality AND MORE OF THE SAME

[Wandered Inn <esoteric@denali.atlnet.com>]

"Eric M. Bennett" wrote:
> 
> Brett wrote:
> 
> >Actually, according to his testimony, he apparently thinks
> >it's more a matter of S-U-R-V-I-V-A-L. Note that Intuit DID
> >support other platforms (DOS and Mac, at least), but
> >eventually felt (correctly or not) that it couldn't keep
> >doing this.
> 
> The basis of my gripe here is, as you have recognized, the fact that
> companies like Intuit bear a moderate amount of blame for the current
> situation.

Intuit inparticular has little to complain about.  I shared my
experience when installing Quicken 98 earlier this year.  When
installing, it tells you you need IE to take full advantage of Quicken
98, and continues to tell you that if you don't install IE then you will
not be able to take full advantage of the product.  When I called to
inquire, I was told it was because when Quiken 98 came out, IE offered
128 bit encryption, whereas Netscape did not.  This is complete bull,
Netscape offered 128 bit encryption before IE.

I've just run into a similar situation with a recent installation of a
Canon printer.  A software package that comes with it, (I don't recall
the actual name, but it's provided by Canon) does the a similar thing. 
It asks you if you would like to install AT&T Worldnet software or IE
(if you already have Internet access).  Those are the two options.  When
I selected cancel, I was warned that if I did not install at least IE, I
would not be able to take full advantage of the software.  I called
Canon, and inquired.  The tech basically told me it was wrong.  I told
him that this was basically lieing to their customer.

I find it hard to believe that Canon and Intuit came up with this idea
on their own, both basically lieing to a customer.  In each case, the
software was for my mother-in-law and I guarantee you that if she would
have installed the software, she would now have IE installed on her
machine. Any average computer use is going to then decide, I need one
browser, not two.  Since I HAVE to have IE for these software packages,
I'll remove Netscape.  

--
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric@denali.atlnet.com

You mean you paid MONEY for Service Pack '98????