Sam Heywood wrote:
>I have a question: Why did the programmers of pseudo-DOS design it so as to
>output such a horribly frightening and most meaningless error message?
>"A device connected to your system is not functioning"
Because then it's easier to sell a new version that have "more features" to
people.
A new computer user goes back to the shop with his computer upon seeing
this kind of error:
Salesperson/repairman:
"Oh, this computer is way to old - you bought it here last week right?"
"Yes I did."
"Well you see you are running Windows 98 version 1034 and that is way to
old since 1035 is now out. You'll need to upgrade to a new system."
"Do I really need to do that? It sounds really expensive."
"Well, it's the only way you'll be able to ever use a computer. EVERYONE is
running Windows 98 version 1035."
The costumer thinks for a moment.
"Exactly how much will it cost?"
"Oh, only 205 USD - but we'll make it an even 200 since you bought the
computer last week."
"Well, I really want to have a computer since everyone else has one, I'll
take it."
"Great. Cash, check or credit card?"
When the computer user comes home he/she asks the neighbours kid over and
asks him/her to "install" the computer once again, explaining proudly that
he/she just have got the new Windows version. And the kid says:
"Oh, you've finally installed Windows 98 version 1036. It's much better
than any previous version - espacially that horrible 1035."
And in the end of course the same meaningless error message keeps repeating
itself no matter how many new versions of Windows are installed.
Alternatives are ex. to get the computer user to buy the latest version of
Micorsoft Office or download the latest M$ IE version (using newer or oldef
versions od DirectX are also "sollutions"). More RAM or a new CPU are of
course also options.
And the winners are:
Microsoft
The computer shop
Neighbours kid
Hardware makers
But in time even that kid will end up loosing on it...
Please note that I have no idea if version 1034, 1035 or 1036 is out yet -
or if they have been out for several days already and are therefor obsolete ;)
And if we want to be serious it seems as Microsoft programers use a random
error message (and never choose the corerct one) but they for some reason
stick to it (on a singel computer) - probably saving the information in the
registry or something.
//Bernie
http://bernie.arachne.cz/ DOS programs, Star Wars ...
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