Politically correct Microsoft update

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/dec03/12-12FontLetter.asp ^ | 02/10/04 | BwanaNdege

[BwanaNdege]

I am running Windows XP Home Edition on my PC. Upon log-on this evening I received a pop-up message advising me that there were two Microsoft updates available. I clicked "OK", downloaded them and reviewed them before install. One was a "Security" update, the other was "Critical Update for Windows (KB833407)" to the "Bookshelf Symbol 7" font due to it having "unacceptable symbols". My curiosity piqued, I opened MS Word, changed the font to Bookshelf Symbol 7, and typed out the keyboard, upper and lower case.

Nothing "rude or crude", but there was a Star of David. Hmmmmm. I copied the font from the Windows/Fonts folder, but forgot to rename it. Sure enough, when I installed the update, it found and replaced all copies of the font.

I did a web search on "Bookshelf Symbol 7" and found a lot of controversy back in December, 2003 over swastikas in "Bookshelf Symbol 7" and MS having a removal tool for them. Looks like they have now decided to remove the Star of David, too.

[Salvation]

**Looks like they have now decided to remove the Star of David, too.**

So will they also remove the crosses that appear in the symbol grid?

[AntiKev]

Just one more reason for my tagline. I've been running Mandrake 9.2 since Saturday. I couldn't be more impressed. It really is the best thing since sliced bread. Runs like a dream on my system, and I haven't had to so much as re-boot even after installing drivers. I love it. Just removed Mozilla 1.6 and installed Mozilla Firebird 0.8 too. It just keeps getting better and better.

[Ulysses]

The font Wingdings still has a Star of David and a couple of crosses...

[alancarp]

As does Monotype Sorts -- I may have gotten that one from CorelDraw.

[Salvation]

I have Windows 98 -- I know i need to update -- and I used the wingdings crosses just yesterday!

[KangarooJacqui]

I have Windows 98 -- I know i need to update

WHY? If it does what you need it to, for the love of God, don't go NEAR Windows 2000 (bad), Windows ME (even worse) or Windows XP (truly awful).

I've been running XP for almost two years now, since my last machine exploded (taking Windows with it). I still miss ole '98 (even if the machine I was running it on was a POS compared to the slim, functional and wonderful laptop I have now, which has crossed the Pacific a couple of times, as well as toured America... and still keeps running like a dream.)

Micro$oft are evil. I wouldn't use XP at all only I'm on a home network and am not allowed to change to/too stupid to learn Linux...

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

..and installed Mozilla Firebird 0.8 too.

Uh, uh, uh. That's Firefox 0.8.

I'm just bustin' on ya. I just did the same. Uninstalled Mozilla 1.6 and installed the new Firefox 0.8. I just got all my extensions reloaded last night and this browser rocks.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I'm on a home network and am not allowed to change to/too stupid to learn Linux...

I'll second that. If I changed to Mandrake or Lindows...boy would I hear it from the rest of the family.

Oh well. Maybe I'll use the threat of it as blackmail to get a nice laptop for Christmas. Then I'll load Linux on that.

[KangarooJacqui]

I HAVE a nice laptop. I'd rather move out, though, and install my own OS, cook my own meals (about 3 times a week, if I feel like feeding myself that often) and go back to dialup if it means not putting up with my parents, who are slowly but surely killing me.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

...putting up with my parents, who are slowly but surely killing me.

Fair dinkum.

Here's hoping that you'll survive and prayers that 2004 will be a better year for you than 2003 was.

Cheers.

[AntiKev]

Yeah I know...too busy tweaking Linux.