Cornellian

Gates vs. GM

For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way
computers have enhanced our lives, read on.

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), 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 $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release
stating:

If GM had develo ped technology like Microsoft, we would all be
driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash........ Twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to
buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You
would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows,
shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could
continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

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 reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was
reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only
five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warni ng lights wo uld
all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation"
warning light.

I love the next one! !!

7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, 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.

9. Every time a new car was introduced 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 have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.




Anybody hear about this before? Sounds like a stupid joke from Gates....

mink92890

That joke has been circulating for years. I remember a few months ago I saw something similar but to Embraer, an airliner manufacturer.

However, its always a funny read

Mink92890

Lexmex

I have also seen it used down here in Mexico when executives want to talk about problems with incorporating new technologies into their businesses.

Stormwind

Actually I've noticed a lot of that statement is coming true.

10. In todays Lexus and Toyota equiped with push start button you do have to press the Start button to turn off the car.

9. Ever since BMW and now Benz introduced their own version of I-Drive, people do have to learn how to use their car all over again.

8. Let's just hope this doesn't come true.

LexFather

Gates>GM

/Thread

Shawnmack

I guess that why Gates doesn't drive a GM.

EZZ

Gates could buy GM. I'm dead serious about that...his net worth is about $50 billion. GM is only worth $20B...if Bill offered a tender offer, he could easily sell for less than $25B. Pretty scary

Bean

iTrader: (1)

So old that I was still in high school when I first heard it; and THAT was a long time ago.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

The funny thing is I've actually read members in the GS and IS sections actually using the term "Reboot my car" when dealing with odd electrical issues. When I read those posts I couldn't help but remember this Microsoft/GM joke.

mkorsu

Funny story, but an internet Urban Legend nonetheless. Neither Gates nor GM ever said either comment.