From: jemenake@zeus.calpoly.edu (Joe Emenaker)
Subject: Re: What's holding up PKZIP v. 2.0 (message from PKWARE)
Organization: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1992 18:31:14 GMT

bleys@infopls.chi.il.us (Bleys Ahrens) writes:
>tony@disk.uucp (tony) writes:
>
   [stuff deleted]
>> 
>> >During the development of PKZIP v. 2.0 for MS-DOS, PKWARE has 
>> >discovered hardware faults in newer 80386 & 80486 computers. 
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^   
>> >These faults can cause anomalies in the operation of PKWARE 
>> >software as well as other software.
>> 
    [more stuff deleted]
>> 
>> 
>
>It amazes me that you would suggest a software developer should release
>a product with bugs this severe just because it will work on your PC.  I
>provide software support in a corporation with thousands of
>"fancy-schmancy" 386 and 486 PCs.

It amazes ME that YOU would expect a software developer should support a PC
that had, if you'll see the above part I underlined, a DEFECT. It is my
understanding that the problem is not in all 386's and 486's.... and not
even in all of those with external caches. Instead, there are some
motherboard manufacturers who made some boards with external caches and
they didn't design them right.

Personally, I think PK-Ware should write a little routine in the beginning
of their programs that check for the problem. If it finds it, it should
return to DOS with the message:

  PKZIP has detected a defective external cache system on your system.
  This is the result of poor hardware design on the part of the motherboard
  designer. You should return this motherboard to the manufacturer and 
  demand your money back or a properly working replacement.

It's this way in other industries. In software, bug-fixes are issued free
usually. In automobiles, they recall them. This wholoe PK-Ware thing makes
as much sense as this HYPOTHETICAL statement:

"Michelin tire corp is delaying the release of their new line of tires
because they want to re-design them so that they compensate for a serious
design flaw in the steering mechanism of some 1990 Chrysler Minivans. The
steering problem causes the suspension linkages to break, causing the car
to begin turning sharply when the car reaches speeds of 60mph. Michelin is
asking that all other tire manufacturers redesign THEIR tires as well to
make up for this defect".

Now, doesn't that sound absolutely RIDICULOUS?!?!

Personally, I don't want a program that avoids the problem as much as I
want one that detects it. I heard PKWARE released a tiny little program tha
t would find it. I'd like to have it because I'm about to purchase a 486
motherboard. If I find this problem on it, I'll return it to the company
with a note that says "It was nice doing business with ya. Have a nice
life." and I'll go to someone else. I'm not willing to tolerate a hardware
flaw like this on my motherboard and nobody else should either.


-- 
Joe Emenaker - Sexual Engineer | "After thinking a lot about the design of the 
   jemenake@nike.calpoly.edu   |  human body, I figure it's a good thing that   
   Pro-woman, anti-feminist    |  God is self-employed, because no company on
 (This is the .sig of the day) |  EARTH would ever hire him as an engineer" -Me
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.apps