I Wekcomed Clippy's Disappearance
That stupid cartoon paper-clip, and another Microsoft used (an asterisk I think) were childish, needless gimmicks; and worse, were frankly patronising.
Microsoft software generally is bloated with needless ornamenting etc., but I don't like it trying dictate my style as well.
Why when MS 'Word' recognises a document is a letter, does it try to tell me how to write it? It does not need recognise it anyway.
The normal polite endings for letters are Yours Sincerely (informal use) and Yours Faithfully (formal, e.g. business). Not the Yours Truly some MS programmer wants me to use. Obviously the endings on more intimate letters between relatives, close friends or lovers are open to your own versions, like "Best wishes", or "Love".
I am accustomed to dates as day-month-year - I do not want some bloke 6000 miles away in California trying to change it to his own format.
I know the Greek and Roman plurals: formulae and fora, not formulas and forums as MS tries to enforce. (I also respect their etymology, which controls the spelling hence often the meaning, though that's not a Microsoft matter.)
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Basically, if I need technical help, I expect only the formal, direct, indexed Help glossary. I don't want puerile gimmicks and was very grateful that MS eventually dropped its animated paper-clip and asterisk.
Microsoft software generally is bloated with needless ornamenting etc., but I don't like it trying dictate my style as well.
Why when MS 'Word' recognises a document is a letter, does it try to tell me how to write it? It does not need recognise it anyway.
The normal polite endings for letters are Yours Sincerely (informal use) and Yours Faithfully (formal, e.g. business). Not the Yours Truly some MS programmer wants me to use. Obviously the endings on more intimate letters between relatives, close friends or lovers are open to your own versions, like "Best wishes", or "Love".
I am accustomed to dates as day-month-year - I do not want some bloke 6000 miles away in California trying to change it to his own format.
I know the Greek and Roman plurals: formulae and fora, not formulas and forums as MS tries to enforce. (I also respect their etymology, which controls the spelling hence often the meaning, though that's not a Microsoft matter.)
'
Basically, if I need technical help, I expect only the formal, direct, indexed Help glossary. I don't want puerile gimmicks and was very grateful that MS eventually dropped its animated paper-clip and asterisk.

