Re: What's up with Microsofts poor support for their own hardware?

In article <_v-dnc9WPqkas2LZnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"MuahMan" <muahman@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Dave Fritzinger" <dfritzin@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1157568674.424110.319000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

MuahMan wrote:
"Sandman" <mr@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:mr-8FA47B.20303106092006@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
So, I once bought a Microsoft Sidewinder Strategic Commander [1] and
was given a Microsoft force feedback Sidewinder steering wheel [2].

Microsoft has chosen to EOL their Sidewinder product line, which I
have no problem with, but they have also cut off pretty much all
support for their products.

So. www.microsoft.com -> Downloads -> Search "strategic commander" ->
One hit: "Strategic Commander Profile Pack 2".

I want the damn drivers!

Ok, on the result page. Search for *nothing* in the Product/Technology
"SideWinder".

3 results:

- SideWinder Game Device Software for Windows 95 and 98
- Strategic Commander. Profile Pack 2
- SideWinder 3D Pro for Macintosh 1.0

But I want the drivers for Windows XP! I want the driver for the
steering wheel and strategic commander (the first hit doesn't cover
the commander, by the way)

As it is, I have the installation CD for the strategic commander, so I
can get that one to work. Windows XP wants to auto-detect and install
the steering wheel, and correctly detects that it's a SideWinder
wheel, but it doesn't work correctly in games. The throttle pedals
doesn't work and neither does the force feedback.

In comparison, a cursory search on Apples sites quickly finds the
drivers for their LaserWriter products [3], which are EOL:ed a long
time ago. Still available for download. And I'm sure I could find
drivers for even older hardware.



[1] http://journal.mycom.co.jp/news/2000/09/29/03l.jpg
Yeah, it looks silly, but it's pretty ok in some games, where
you have to control the map

[2] http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000794KX.03.MZZZZZZZ.jpg
Decent wheel, nothing wrong with it. Comes with pedals.

[3] http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58308
Whether or not LaserWriter is support natively in OSX is
unimportant, really, since Apple does provide - unlike MS -
drivers for their own hardware for the platforms the drivers was
written for. I don't expect neither Apple nor MS to update old
driver for discontinued products to work with newer versions of
their operating system.
--
Sandman[.net]

Please put OT in the subject of blatantly off topic threads such as this.
This grouup is for Mac basing and Macintard bashing only!!

Brian, I didn't think it possible, but you have managed to become even
more of a jerk than you had been before. You are unable to stay
on-topic, and have absolutely nothing to offer other than insults. I
suggest you take a vacation, from this group, at least. As it is, if
the EPA were to read this group, they would declare it a supersite,
from your posting alone.

Now, before you comment, look up what an EPA supersite is. I'll give
you a hint. Toxic and waste.
--
Dave Fritzinger
Honolulu, HI


It's been raining alot here and no surf. No surf, no motorcycling makes me
grumpy. So instead of kicking my beloved dog, I kick you toolbags! I'll be
going to the Outer Banks this weekend for the Florence swell so I may not be
here to work on my science project for a few days! Does that disappoint you?

Speaking of supersites. Didn't I just read a Greenpeace article on Apple
supersites. Apparently they ruin the environment to make a quick $ on top of
using slaves in China. :( Bad Apple BAD!

IOW, having been backed into so many corners, the dirty little scumbag
is running away for a while.

--
George Graves
The health of our society is a direct result of the men
and women we choose to admire.
.

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