Hype Vaporware, Go To Jail?

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Posted by ryuzaki0 on Monday June 9, 2003 @06:22AM from the does-what-it-says-on-the-tin dept.

Tim Dierks writes "The New York Times (registration required) has an article describing a federal case against executives in Enron's broadband data division, based upon the charge that Enron claimed that a software platform was more complete and more functional than it actually was. It seems to be that if this case holds up, most of the software industry is guilty. Would the world be better off or not if it was illegal to overpromote the functionality or features of software?"

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yes by Anonymous Coward · 2003-06-09 06:24 · Score: -1, Troll

well, that answers that question, Next!
Well... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-06-09 06:24 · Score: -1, Troll

There goes Microsoft! Finally, a law that can be used against them...
firstpost by uhhhhhhh · 2003-06-09 06:25 · Score: -1, Troll

Dang missed it! Oh well, it'll be interesting to see what happens with this. I can't hardly think of any software that I have bought that wasn't a good deal less than it promised.
hey hey ho ho by threedays · 2003-06-09 06:26 · Score: -1, Troll

marketing droids have got to go!
Re:Duke by Jaysyn · 2003-06-09 06:31 · Score: -1, Troll

Can we get MS for hyping non-existant security?

Jaysyn

--
There is a war going on for your mind.
Re:Duke by Anonymous Coward · 2003-06-09 06:42 · Score: 0, Troll

Its funny to make jokes about Duke Nukem Forever, but how could this affect linux? Distributions such as Lindows and Mandrake target the desktop and claim that linux is a viable desktop OS. Could they too be sued by disgruntled customers?
Even if its a good idea, its a knowledge question by Badgerman · 2003-06-09 06:44 · Score: 0, Troll

Imagine trying to explain subtle technical and marketing issues to a judge and jury, issues that may be difficult enough for those of us in the industry to understand. Is this REALLY what is promised or not? Is it true under one situation but not another?

I expect a few big-time decievers MIGHT get in trouble over this, but I'd expect most cases like this to degenerate into such arcana that any results would be meaningless since we wouldn't be sure those sitting in judgement understood the issues, and people would manipulate that lack of knowledge.

My 2 cents.

--
"The Sage treasures Unity and measures all things by it" - Lao Tzu
Re:Duke by Anonymous Coward · 2003-06-09 06:51 · Score: -1, Troll

Let's see. Windows 2003 server has been released 2 months, and has had one patch. Meanwhile, RedHat 9 has had 30 patches in the last 3 months.

I hope you enjoy your shit-chute being used like the holland tunnel, jail boy!
better world? by faster · 2003-06-09 06:58 · Score: 0, Troll

Would the world be better off or not if it was illegal to overpromote the functionality or features of software?
It would be a MUCH better world for lawyers.
Re:Weekly Staff Meetings by rjamestaylor · 2003-06-09 07:30 · Score: 1, Troll

And if you worked for me...you would no longer. It's not "funny," it's pathetic.

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-- @rjamestaylor on Ello
Re:A BETTER IDEA, GOOD SIRS by Anonymous Coward · 2003-06-09 08:28 · Score: -1, Troll

i think it would be funny if Hemos and CmdrTaco re-enacted the goatse and tubgirl in a live webcast. Bet that would increase subscribers.