If you can�t
say something nice, don�t say anything at all. Isn�t that how the saying
goes? I believe us technology writers have to make an exception to this
rule. Sometimes the truth hurts. Pain is what I went through when I
tried to figure out how to transfer a custom dictionary file from one
computer to another. With every few releases of Word,
Microsoft (news
-
alert -
quote) moves the custom.dic file, causing undue stress on the user.
This file is where many words, like your last name, industry jargon and
acronyms live. Wouldn�t it be wonderful if Microsoft had an
export/import utility?
Instead,
you have to endlessly fish for the file and copy it, but don�t think you
will find it easily with the search tool. It doesn�t seem to exist. I
checked the file attributes for �custom.dic� and it is not hidden, it
just doesn�t want to show itself! Miraculously, you�re given a clue of
where the secret location is when entering spell-check, you click on the
custom dictionary, only to realize that the file is 5 levels deep. As
you can imagine with all that I write, spell-check is my best friend and
without a dictionary of acronyms, etc, I am at a total loss. The file
itself is just over 20k in size. That�s a lot of acronyms!
On my
computer, it is located here:
C:\Documents and Settings\rtehrani\Application Data\Microsoft\Proof.
I
understand that Microsoft has to focus on enticing people to upgrade
computers for the necessary reason of growth. But if the process is so
arduous, shouldn�t they make it easier for the consumer?
Perhaps
Bill Gates has more important things to worry about. This week, the
company announced that they will give out a $32 billion dollar dividend
and double the annual dividend to 3.5 billion. Prior to this point, many
technology companies explained that it wasn�t necessary to give out
dividends, as they were hot growth companies. Microsoft has signaled
that growth may be slowing and they are shifting their focus as to keep
the shareholders happy.
Bill Gates
will receive 3 billion dollars alone, a staggering amount that he will
give to charity. He has also donated $27 billion dollars via the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Rarely do
you see Bill Gates praised for his philanthropy, so I will take the
opportunity now to praise him�.
What an
amazing human being.
Now, back
to dividends. This is a significant day in computing and personally, I
think a huge part of the slowdown in Microsoft is the use of open-source
software from the OS to applications. The rumors abound that Microsoft
will come out swinging this year and next by making life for Linux
vendors and users very painful via their huge patent portfolio, forcing
other vendors to license their patents under threat of lawsuit.
It remains
to be seen if things pick up for Microsoft but for now, mark down July
2004 as the month that the largest software vendor in the world admitted
that software growth will be slowing down.
Rich Tehrani is TMC's president. He welcomes your comments.
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