Microsoft Corporation
Most folks may already know about the arguable sins of Microsoft Corporation. They have certainly lost their share of suits around the world.
Therefore, Microsoft gets its own page here. This just scratches the surface of Microsoft's ills. The computer industry is one that has consistently "over-promised" and "under delivered."
Most of us are somewhat trapped in the upgrade path or necessities of business giving us reasons to continue doing business with MS. Of course this is the same explanation we give when we do business with the Republican and Democratic Parties. In the end, as a conspicuously consumer society, we do get what we deserve.
Sins of Microsoft
Current
as of 6/8/2008
At times, it seems that no company is doing more to go bankrupt than Microsoft. If it were to fall, it would make the Worldcom debacle look like small potatoes.
1) To start with simply having a constant need for technical support denotes a problem. The fact that Microsoft can no longer provide it without charging for it in many cases, is a testimony to its own shortcomings. In my experience, most of my technical support calls dealt with numerous software defects rather than a need to improve my skills. For example, if you might have called regarding the unsupported Windows Server 2003 and been hit by a $200 plus dollars supoort fee. 2) Numerous Internet and software related security vulnerabilities. 3) Poorly written web content, manuals and error messages. 4) Unstable and unreliable software prone to crash operating systems and/or itself. This includes Microsoft money 2004. 5) Frequent junk mail from MSN network. 6) Auto update policy which works in a continuous and annoying circle forcing many to think they now need to upgrade their OS when their current OS worked fine. (Win98) 12/6/02. 7) Invasive and constantly changing up to 17 page 6 point EULA's 8) EULA's that don't permit transfer of software "Rights" beyond first transfer forcing computer purchasers to repurchase software and circumventing private resales on behalf of MS vendors. 9) Manipulation of United States government through campaign contributions and lobbyists. 10) Forcing industry to use Microsoft - working around product quality issues by monopolistic actions to control vendors and industry. 11) When MS Word Crashes it can lose supposedly saved information. It is frustrating to lose hours of creative work. 12) Lack of presales phone numbers on software i.e. MS Money 2004. 13) Creation of new operating systems that void your most common and necessary hardware, such as Microsoft brand wireless keyboards and mice that don't work with Windows 2003 Servers or Operating systems? The little piggy needs to get the product to market. Who cares if it works or not. Microsoft can always market around that fact and the public is still "drug dependent" on Microsoft. 14) Project Gallery for Mac does not always list your most recent docs as it is supposed to. This problem is not addressed at Microsoft and hasn't been corrected for years. It would appear that MS is using evil tactic #1011 "pretending the problem doesn't exist!" 2/28/07 15) Webform for "free" businessplan kit had me spending over 5 minutes trying to fill in its phone number field. 16) Each time the form refreshed with an error message, it checked the box I unchecked to send me advertising! 2/24/08
