~OT: Computer misconceptions

From: Ward Donald Griffiths III <gram_at_cnct.com>
Date: Sat Feb 6 03:04:15 1999

Lawrence LeMay wrote:
>
> > Max Eskin <max82_at_surfree.com> wrote:
> > > So far, I have the places various things originated (i.e. IBM did _not_
> > > invent the PC, Apple did _not_ invent the GUI, etc.)
> >
> > You missed one of the most important ones:
> >
> > Microsoft did _not_ invent ANYTHING.
> >
>
> I thought they invented the General Protection Fault, or whatever
> it was called. And the blue screen of death. and probably many
> other ways of saying "we dont know how to program, and we know it,
> so instead of debugging our programs we spend time finding ways
> to report cryptic error messages that normal users cant be expected to
> understand".
>
> BTW, the blue screen of death is a masterstroke of obfuscation.

Magnificent, isn't it? It _looks_ like valuable debugging
information to a non-programmer. In its way it's as beautiful as
Jerry Falwell promising that anybody who sends him money will go to
Heaven.
-- 
Ward Griffiths <mailto:gram_at_cnct.com> <http://www.cnct.com/home/gram/>
WARNING:  The Attorney General has determined that Alcohol, Tobacco,
and Firearms can be hazardous to your health -- and get away with it.
Received on Sat Feb 06 1999 - 03:04:15 GMT

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