This is an old debate about quality and measures of software. If one would apply the same rules that are applied to cars (not to mention airplanes), then Windows (even XP) would have never got the goverment stamp to be able to be marketed. There would not be MS Certified Proffesionals because Microsoft would have never existed itself.

I agree you that something better should be done in order to protect customers against poorly written software.

And then we get into another old debate: if you don't like MS operating systems, why you buy them (from all the MS products I know, I only like VFP, SQL, and Excel)? Sometimes because we have no other option, and the US government has been unable to demonstrate in court (or maybe MS money is more powerfull than courts) that it is in fact a monopoly and that it does not contribute to the evolution of the economy.


>So - if I hire a MS certified programmer, and she mangles a project, looses me a customer, and places me in jeoprady - I can sue Microsoft and the certification body?
>
>If your answer is not yes - then wheres the value. You buy a certifed car - it farkles - you can exercise remorse and sue to have it replaced. You buy a certified professional - all you can do is fire her, and then wait for notices from the ex-customers attornies'!:-).