Ed Bott from Zdnet recently wrote an article berating Microsoft Blogger Stephen Anacker for "Bad Advice" because a friend of Ed’s had a problem with the BETA version of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 7
Ed disingenuously states "Now, I really don’t mean to pick on the author of this post . . ." — but then proceeds to pick him apart!
- Ed is worried that Stephens’s readers won’t know about Registry “key names” or how to expand a registry tree — but for Stephen’s intended TECHNICAL audience this is all we need. The criticism that it’s not adequate for an amateur — is true, but misplaced.
- Ed mentions that his friend needed to call HIM for help with his Internet Explorer 7 problem — yet Microsoft has Free Phone Support at 1-866-876-4926 (Maybe Ed thinks he’s more quailfied to support his friend than Microsoft).
- Ed also argues that every blog article about registry changes, include a "Registry Editor" warning — well Ed, that’s not the way blogs work. There IS a "warning" (disclaimer) on the main blog page. There are NOT individual warnings on each blog entry.
- Ed is also worried that the "average" user can locate this article on Google – and that "average" users should be able to follow ANY set of instructions – even if intended for a technical audience – and even if they don’t understand them!
- Ed feels he must mention some minor typographical & editing problems in his article — hey, Ed if you can’t be right on the big facts – be petty!
- Ed also felt it was necessary to write an article instead of actually posting a comment on Stephen’s blog. Guess Ed’s above participating in other people’s blogs!
NOTE: A Beta version of software means it is still in testing — Microsoft and all companies warn that you should NEVER install Beta software on a production computer. Period. I have a test computer for this purpose – don’t you?
OK, I feel better now (^_^)
