[Gloucs] Amusing request from Microsoft!

[Francis Barton]

On Fri, 2003-12-19 at 09:50, bjh wrote:
> Hi Guys,
> 
> Just received this amusing request from Michael Surkan, a programmer
> working for MICROSOFT!
> Apart from the obvious response of, block the security holes, make it
> FREE to all, and have Microsoft really run out of ideas as to what the
> customers are really looking for??

No need to shout.
The consensus on the lugmasters list (they have received the email all
over the country) was that Surkan is genuine and although it may not be
official Microsoft research (it's a personal project of his) the results
are likely to be fed into their system. There was some debate about
whether this was inappropriate email, and should not be forwarded on to
the lists, but I feel it's ok to let everyone make up their own minds.
Barrie has already included the request in his original email in this
thread.

Microsoft's PR dept do seem to be making a play recently to be seen to
be open to feedback re improvements, especially from Unix users
(including their main competitor Apple OS X), in advance of the release
of "Longhorn".

See especially Robert Scoble's "tell us what you think" forum at
http://longhornblogs.com/scobleizer/posts/345.aspx - MS' PR dept are
keen to be seen to be all ears in developing their new OS. At least they
might do better than dear Tony's Big Conversation which just reminded me
of the good old "Big Breakfast" on Channel 4.

Although I doubt we can tell MS anything they don't already know, if you
would like to respond to Surkan then do, otherwise ignore the request.

Francis.