Some more Micro$oft offerings

Matthew J Young CV NSG (mjy@nospam.solomon.cv.COM)
Fri, 5 May 1995 19:08:52 +1000 (EST)

Windows 95 will have the coolest users ever.
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Redmond, Washington -- In order to calm growing impatience among PC users
concerning the repeated delays of its new Windows 95 operating system,
Microsoft Corporation announced what it calls the "Cool User Program for
Windows 95". To participate in this offer, a user pays US$10,000 at which
time he or she will be placed in a cryogenic suspension. The user will then
remain in a state of hibernation until about a week before the Windows 95
ship date.

"We expect that the users will need a few days to recuperate and acquaint
themselves with the changes that will occur in society between the onset of
cold sleep and the release of Windows 95", explained a Microsoft spokesman.
These may include "the OJ Simpson trial ending, another momentous
Congressional election, faster-than-light travel and possible leaps in human
evolution".

Because Microsoft expects a large response to this offer, a vast area will
be needed for the storage facility. "We have chosen the state of Utah",
stated Microsoft, "because nobody lives there, anyway". Spokespeople for
Novell and Wordperfect were reached for comment on this remark, but their
words are not suitable for publication.

IBM corporation, which has previously responded to Microsoft promotions with
competing offers for their OS/2 Warp said they would not be matching
Microsoft's "Cool User" program. "Freeze people ? What for ? Warp has
already been shipping for months", said a source who asked not to be
identified.

Some industry analysts have wasted no time hailing Microsoft's plan as a
"Bold, innovative" move. In columnist Michael S. Brown's opinion column "M.
S. Brown Knows" which appears in PC Weak, Brown claims, "IBM has missed the
boat again with their failing OS/2 strategy. Users clearly want to be frozen
in liquid Nitrogen and sealed in coffin-like units for an indeterminate
period of time". Michael S. Brown made national headlines three years ago
when he claimed that if "Windows NT didn't completely replace DOS in six
months" he would chain himself to grating comedian Gilbert Godfried. Today
he clarifies that "I didn't say _which_ six months".

The cryogenic facility in Utah is expected to be online April 1, 1995, but
users wishing to beta test the system may do so for a reduced fee of
US$3,000.