Richard Yancy's Blog
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
InformationWeek | Windows Bugs | Microsoft Slams Security Firm's Bounty For Windows Flaws | February 21, 2006
InformationWeek | Windows Bugs | Microsoft Slams Security Firm's Bounty For Windows Flaws | February 21, 2006
Here's an article that I find hilarious. Microsoft is complaining because another firm is having a contest to find critical bugs in MS-Windows. Microsoft claims that it is not in the best interest of the consumer to have the contest, as opposed to putting out defective products. I think the contest is a good idea and should be extended to other software development companies.
Microsoft has been making their Windows product for at least 20 years. With this much experience the company should be the operating environment experts. The company should be driving developments in the field of operating systems. I have been a user of Windows since version 2.0 and have used every version since 2.0. None of the versions have seemed to create any breakthroughs in technology, especially in the area of security.
The best interest of consumers is not something to which Microsoft seems to be catering. I think it's more like the wallet of the consumer. Microsoft says the contest is not in the best interest of consumers but putting out defective software is. That's an ironic argument at best.
This contests is a good idea and I think it should be expanded to other software development companies. Microsoft may not be the worst software company. Their troubles may just be exaggerated because of the widespread usage of their products. Maybe this contest will get Microsoft (and other companies) to take software development and engineering more seriously.
