Jul 08 2008
Annoyed by Microsoft
I just received a large parcel in my mail. It was from Microsoft (which was suspicious at best). I decided to take the risk, and open it.
It was this large cylinder, saying that “the writing is on the wall – Microsoft Software as a Service”. Inside was a spray-paint can (!) with a small leaflet telling me that’s it’s time to tell the world that I know it too (that the writing is on the wall) with my name and instructions to cut out my name and spray it.
I really got annoyed. This is a huge waste – I’m sure thousands in Israel got this junk (I never actually had anything to do with Microsoft Israel – beside buying my copy of Windows XP). Probably 90% of it was thrown right away. And it’s probably really damaging to our environment – a can of paint!
Obviously I only had one option – to phone Microsoft and tell them they are annoying, they kill our planet, and should be ashamed. The phone number on the box lead me straight to the delivery company, who was as annoyed as I was, and said he doesn’t know why everyone phones him and asks whether his is Microsoft (which he is not).
So I opened the small leaflet, and found another phone number. I phoned, pressed 3 like was told to do in th leaflet, and I got a nice many with an Indian accent explaining to me that I got to the Calcuta technical support. I love india – but this guy didn’t really help me out.
At this stage I got even more annoyed, and e-mailed YNet and NRG which I hope will publish this in the ‘eco’ sections (YNet phoned me, so I hope they will indeed do something).
I then phoned microsoft again, but didn’t press the ’3=Calcuta’, and then I got to a hebrew speaking microsoft-lady. She was nice, and later they phoned again and listened to my complains. I hope someone got my message.
So now I have this stupid can of spray on my desk (colour royal blue, or azul real). Anyone wants it?