John,

>>"On record" means what to you? Where is it recorded? Got a URL I can look at, or an "on the record" interview that was published, or public messages by someone in authority at Microsoft? Please cite your "on record" references.
>>
>Getting asked a question in a public forum, and answering that question...

OK, how about a citation of when and where the statement was made and by whom, and as close as you can come to a direct quote of the statement? Or a date, or the particular session in a particular conference where the statement was made, so that a tape of the session could be examined?

Without emough information to allow me to make an independent confirmation, I would just have to take your word for it, right? I certainly wouldn't print that if an investigative reporter brought me what you have. Not good enough for my editorial standards. :-)