Why Microsoft won't make your car crash

Dom · May 26, 2003, 07:40 PM

Just read this one over at Tech-Critic.

A friend--one of those computer people who delight in pointing out technology's pratfalls--sent me a link to a news story this week. The headline read: "Govt. official trapped in car after computer fails. Security guards smashed their way into an official limousine with sledgehammers on Monday to rescue Thailand's finance minister after his car's computer failed," Reuters said. Seems that the computer in Suchart Jaovisidha's BMW failed, automatically locking all the doors and shutting off the air-conditioning. "We could hardly breathe for over 10 minutes," the freed minister told reporters. "It was a harrowing experience."

My friend--who'd take a sledgehammer to Microsoft if he could--appended a second story to the Reuters report. It was a press release headlined, "Microsoft technology powers the navigation feature used in BMW's innovative new iDrive telematics system." The juxtaposition of those two stories might remind some of you of an old joke: What would happen if Microsoft designed cars? They'd run perfectly for 50,000 miles and then explode.

Too funny, ain't it?

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Source: Tech-Critic via ZDnet

Mac Daddy · May 27, 2003, 01:50 PM

That is pretty funny Dom. Unless you have done any type of work on a BMW at all !!

Such as interfacing aftermarket equipment to their central locking systems.
Believe you me a sledgehammer is a tool I have wished to use on more than one BMW over the years.
BMW does stand for "Break My Wallet"

Could be worse !!
Creative could design cars.
They would work perfectly for a year and then Creative would simply Stop Selling Parts

May 26, 2003, 07:40 PM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	Why Microsoft won't make your car crash Just read this one over at Tech-Critic. A friend--one of those computer people who delight in pointing out technology's pratfalls--sent me a link to a news story this week. The headline read: "Govt. official trapped in car after computer fails. Security guards smashed their way into an official limousine with sledgehammers on Monday to rescue Thailand's finance minister after his car's computer failed," Reuters said. Seems that the computer in Suchart Jaovisidha's BMW failed, automatically locking all the doors and shutting off the air-conditioning. "We could hardly breathe for over 10 minutes," the freed minister told reporters. "It was a harrowing experience." My friend--who'd take a sledgehammer to Microsoft if he could--appended a second story to the Reuters report. It was a press release headlined, "Microsoft technology powers the navigation feature used in BMW's innovative new iDrive telematics system." The juxtaposition of those two stories might remind some of you of an old joke: What would happen if Microsoft designed cars? They'd run perfectly for 50,000 miles and then explode. Too funny, ain't it? ________________________ Source: Tech-Critic via ZDnet

May 27, 2003, 01:50 PM	#2
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	That is pretty funny Dom. Unless you have done any type of work on a BMW at all !! Such as interfacing aftermarket equipment to their central locking systems. Believe you me a sledgehammer is a tool I have wished to use on more than one BMW over the years. BMW does stand for "Break My Wallet" Could be worse !! Creative could design cars. They would work perfectly for a year and then Creative would simply Stop Selling Parts __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen