Microsoft Vista, IE7 Banned By U.S. DOT

An anonymous reader writes "According to a memo being reported on by Information week, the US Department of Transportation has issued a moratorium on upgrading Microsoft products. Concerns over costs and compatability issues has lead the federal agency to prevent upgrades from XP to Vista, as well as to stop users from moving to IE 7 and Office 2007. As the article says, 'In a memo to his staff, DOT chief information officer Daniel Mintz says he has placed "an indefinite moratorium" on the upgrades as "there appears to be no compelling technical or business case for upgrading to these new Microsoft software products. Furthermore, there appears to be specific reasons not to upgrade."'"

What's that noise?

[HangingChad]

It was like the sound of thousands of MSFT reps all calling their elected representatives at once.

does not compute!

[Denial93]

MS is bad!
But the government never does anything right!
But MS is bad!
But the government never does anything right!
But MS is bad!
But the government never does anything right!
*head explodes*

Re:As a webmaster

[Anonymous Coward]

IE7 is a complete heap of shit. Someone should have told Microsoft that not all .html files come from a remote host. Some of them are supposed to reside on the local hard drive.

Every time IE7 spews pointless ActiveX security warnings on .html files that contain no active content whatsoever, God kills a gnu.

Rear View Mirror Warning

[Stanistani]

*Warning*

Operating systems may appear more compatible then they are...

Except the dead ones

[Mateo_LeFou]

...they just write letters.

Re:Yes it is

[Divebus]

1968: "nobody ever got fired for buying IBM"
1996: "nobody ever got fired for buying Microsoft"
2007: "you're both fired!"

Re:Nothing really unusual about it

[thewils]

Who is this pete? And why doesn't he like curved driver side mirrors?

Lies and FUD!!!

[eno2001]

I get sick of hearing all the lies and FUD that the anti-Windows crowd spreads all over the place. Microsoft , is the unsung hero of the computer world and internet commerce. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have the booming businesses bringing millions of dollars into the hands of simple and plain people like you and me all around the world. Microsoft beyond bringing startling innovation and major progress to the computer world has also indirectly created an infinite number of business and wealth creation opportunities with every PC out there whether in business or at home on your desk. That alone is the MOST compelling reason. By preventing the distribution of Microsoft's latest and greatest to the largest possible number of PCs, these sorts of actions are essentially trying to prevent the lubrication of the orifices of commerce. I plea with you to please reconsider your actions.

Respectfully,
Davis Hawke

Re:Lies and FUD!!!

[MLease]

Hmmm.... I suppose bending over WOULD feel better with some lube.

-Mike

Re:Seriously, so what?

[Shadow Wrought]

Not just any Department either. But the one that is specifically taksed with investigating and reducing crashes;-)

Re:Yes it is

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd get a boner if someone would offer me 19 years of job security.

With math skills like that, please don't hold your breath! ;)

Re:Yes it is

[hublan]

What do you mean? Sounds like he's got a fine career as a high-flying CFO ahead of him.

Re:Seriously, so what?

[Anonymous Coward]

....And except that she's the one pulling the boner....

Re:As a webmaster

[JoshJ]

Every time IE7 spews pointless ActiveX security warnings on .html files that contain no active content whatsoever, God kills a gnu.

If that were factual, Microsoft would make sure that all GNUs are extinct the day after the next Patch Tuesday.

Re:As a webmaster

[Phillup]

IE7 may have its user interface flaws, but it does offer increased support for standards.

Compared to what? The worst browser on the market?

Oh... wait...