I was annoyed by an MSDN article the other day and fired off an email. I thought y'all might be amused by the email and the reply. I was a little sheepish about calling the author a moron until I happened across another MSDE article and fired off another indignent email. I know, I know, life is short and it's better not to get worked up about silly stuff, but what the heck, why not point out to MS incorrect information. The text of the emails follow:
-- First email and response --
Hello Gary,
Thanks for taking the time to send us your feedback about this MSDN Online article and author. Your comments have been forwarded to the MSDN Online Web team. They have worked hard to create a great user experience, and your comments will help them continue to bring you what you'd like.
Additionally, we have forwarded your e-mail to the author of the article. You may receive a personal reply from Mr.Fitzgerald soon - he may be able to provide more insight into the problems you have identified.
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Luther
MSDN Answer Team
http://msdn.microsoft.com/---- original message -------
I wanted to point out a glaring inaccuracy in a featured article in the October MSDN: Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) for Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0: An Alternative to Jet for Building Desktop and Shared Solutions James Fitzgerald Clarity Consulting, Inc. May 1999
I was wondering how an article by a moron got into the MSDN. Is there no editing cycle at Microsoft?
>>Until recently, Microsoft offered two means of database management:
Microsoft Jet (the Microsoft® Access database engine that is shipped with both Access and Microsoft Visual Studio®) and Microsoft SQL Server(tm). <<
I'm surprised that Microsoft publishes articles by people that have this level of ignorance of Microsoft products. Why was Visual FoxPro not mentioned? How can I, as a developer, make informed decisions about products and technologies when information presented in MSDN articles is simply wrong? I look forward to hearing from you on this topic.
Gary Foster
-- Latest email --
Here is an astonishing error in an MSDN article. Can anyone write an article for the MSDN without regard to accuracy? There is no truth to the statement that FoxPro uses the lame Jet engine. Why would you make a statement that absurd? As an application developer, I need accurate information. Why is there not a comparison of MSDE and Visual FoxPro, the existing database product that fills the gap between Access and SQL Server? That actually might be useful for selecting technologies for my clients. Below is the title of the article and relevant line.
The SQL Is Even Better: Microsoft Releases MSDE
Robert Carter, MSDN Technical Writer
Microsoft Corporation
June 2, 1999
MSDE Compared with Jet
>> Jet is the database engine that ships with Access and FoxPro®, and has been the main engine for both systems for the past few years. <<
I look forward to hearing from you. It must be hard for your writers to research technologies with which they are unfamiliar. I would be glad to help out when they are discussing Microsoft's database products.
Gary Foster
