MS vs. Embraer
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:30 pmAt a recent computer
expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry
with the aircraft industry and stated, "If Embraer had kept up with
technology like the computer industry has, we would all be flying
$25.00 planes that go 1,000 miles per hour."
In response to Bill's comments, Embraer issued a press release
stating: If Embraer had developed technology like Microsoft, we would
all be flying planes with the following characteristics:
1. For no reason whatsoever, your plane would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted taxiway and runway lines, you would have
to buy a new plane.
3. Occasionally your plane would die on the runway for no reason. You
would have to pull to the side, open all of the doors, shut off the
plane, restart it, and reclose the doors before you could continue.
For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause
your plane to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you
would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a plane that was powered by the sun, was
reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to fly - but would run
on only five percent of the airways.
6. The oil temperature, pressure and generator warning lights would
all be replaced by a single "This Aircraft Has Performed an Illegal
Operation" warning light.
7. The groundspoiler system would ask "Are you sure?" before
deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your plane would lock you
out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door
handle, turned the nosewheel and grabbed hold of the VHF radio
antenna.
9. Every time a new plane was introduced pilots would have to learn
how to fly all over again because none of the controls would operate
in the same manner as the old plane.
10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.
expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry
with the aircraft industry and stated, "If Embraer had kept up with
technology like the computer industry has, we would all be flying
$25.00 planes that go 1,000 miles per hour."
In response to Bill's comments, Embraer issued a press release
stating: If Embraer had developed technology like Microsoft, we would
all be flying planes with the following characteristics:
1. For no reason whatsoever, your plane would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted taxiway and runway lines, you would have
to buy a new plane.
3. Occasionally your plane would die on the runway for no reason. You
would have to pull to the side, open all of the doors, shut off the
plane, restart it, and reclose the doors before you could continue.
For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause
your plane to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you
would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a plane that was powered by the sun, was
reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to fly - but would run
on only five percent of the airways.
6. The oil temperature, pressure and generator warning lights would
all be replaced by a single "This Aircraft Has Performed an Illegal
Operation" warning light.
7. The groundspoiler system would ask "Are you sure?" before
deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your plane would lock you
out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door
handle, turned the nosewheel and grabbed hold of the VHF radio
antenna.
9. Every time a new plane was introduced pilots would have to learn
how to fly all over again because none of the controls would operate
in the same manner as the old plane.
10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.
