>>
>>As I said, unless you wrote the operating system and compiler, it may not be your fault. I note the McConnell quote. If you make every effort to write a quality system and support it, there's no case, because there's no intent.
>>
>
>I'm not sure about that. If a surgeon slips and causes severe damage, would he not still be guilty of malpractice - intent notwithstanding? Where is JVP when we need a lawyer? ;)

After thinking about it, I'm not sure of it either...and it scares me. One of my programs calculates how much it's going to cost to manufacture our carpet. We're the biggest maker of floor covering in the world. I work for the Contract Group, which makes carpet for airports, offices, etc. What if we (I) got charged with price gouging?

>>Please don't tell me, however, that Canada is getting as litigous as the US.
>
>No. You can relax George! The US is still the champ. ;)

Unfortunately, Mike, I know this. I mean everyone's heard about Donna Dolt who sued McDonald's (and won) because she got burned when she put a cup of coffee between her legs! But how about this one...

Now I know this isn't true all cases, but it is for the vast majority. Did you know that in the US you can eat your way into being considered handicapped? Yep, it's true. Under the "Americans with Disabilties" Act.

Now isn't there something wrong with the following picture? There are people in the Sudan who are starving to death. In the US, we've got people eating themselves to death...and getting benefits from it.

A benefit? Yeah! If you're considered disabled under the above mentioned act, that means you got a handicap. If you have a handicap, that means you can get one of those little blue handicap tags that you can hang from your car's rearview mirror. The means that you can use the reserved parking places...like at the mall...right near the doors...to the Food Court!

Sorry, but if you're missing an arm, a leg, a hand, or even a finger, you're handicapped. However, if you're missing a cheescake, you're full.

>>
>>PS I you haven't yet read the second edition of "Code Complete", do so. I think it's better than the first.
>
>I read a pre-release version that was out on the net.

That's right. I think I remember you mentioning that.