At a recent computer expo, Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry
with the auto industry and stated: "If GM had kept up with technology like the
computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got 1000 miles to the gallon."
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: "If GM had
developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:
1. For no reason whatsoever your car would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines on the road you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason, and you would
just accept this, restart and drive on.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn, would cause your car to
shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to re-install the engine.
5. The oil, water temperature and alternator warning lights would be replaced
by a single "general car default" warning light.
6. The airbag system would say "Are you sure?" before going off.
7. Occasionally, and for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out
and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned
the key, and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
8. GM would require all car buyers to also purchase a deluxe set of Rand McNally
road maps, even though they neither need them nor want them. Attempting to
delete this option would immediately cause the car's performance to diminish by
50% or more. Moreover, GM would become a target for investigation by the Justice Department.
9. Every time GM introduced a new model car, buyers would have to learn how to
drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You'd press the "start" button to shut off the engine.
with the auto industry and stated: "If GM had kept up with technology like the
computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got 1000 miles to the gallon."
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: "If GM had
developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:
1. For no reason whatsoever your car would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines on the road you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason, and you would
just accept this, restart and drive on.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn, would cause your car to
shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to re-install the engine.
5. The oil, water temperature and alternator warning lights would be replaced
by a single "general car default" warning light.
6. The airbag system would say "Are you sure?" before going off.
7. Occasionally, and for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out
and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned
the key, and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
8. GM would require all car buyers to also purchase a deluxe set of Rand McNally
road maps, even though they neither need them nor want them. Attempting to
delete this option would immediately cause the car's performance to diminish by
50% or more. Moreover, GM would become a target for investigation by the Justice Department.
9. Every time GM introduced a new model car, buyers would have to learn how to
drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You'd press the "start" button to shut off the engine.
