Over the years your ability to actually contact Microsoft has slowly vaporized. We no longer get "real" disks or manuals.  When you run into a problem, the error message encourages you to contact your "system administrator" or other "friends"; NOT Microsoft!!!

I am still using Access2000 and had a particularly distasteful experience. I received the "report error message", which I went ahead and did.  The response screen from Microsoft had a "view details" button.  Out of curiosity, I clicked on it. The message said that Access2000 was NO longer a supported product and to resolve this situation, I should upgrade.

This message raises several questions.
1. Why is the message "hidden".  For the casual user it appears, on the surface, that Microsoft is still working on making Access200 better and is collecting data to resolve problems.
2. The error message says that we should "upgrade". However, we are not provided with any assurances that upgrading would actually resolve the problem that caused Access to crash.
3. Bugs are unfortunately "normal".  However considering the installed base of Access and the fact that this is a "mission critical" application, one would think that Microsoft would "fix" problems.  After all, cars with certain critical defects are recalled to have them fixed. (note-I am talking about fixing and old version of Access not enhancing it.)

Getting back to WindowsXP. Microsoft is now involved in product "churning". They are making cosmetic "upgrades" and using planned obsolesce to force consumers to buy the same product over and over again. Moreover, Microsoft has been using language out of Orwell's "1984" which leaves the consumer with feelings of suspicion about Microsoft's real intentions.  

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