CNN: Microsoft to cut swastikas from software

CNN.com ^ | Dec 12, 2003 | CNN

[mikegi]

Microsoft Corp. said on Friday that its latest version of Office software inadvertently contained a font featuring two swastikas, and said it would offer tools to remove and replace the offending characters from the program.

The swastika, which was made infamous by Nazi Germany, was included in Microsoft's "Bookshelf Symbol 7" font. That font was derived from a Japanese font set, said Microsoft Office product manager Simon Marks.

[mikegi]

I don't see anything wrong with having the swastika glyph in there since it isn't a Nazi creation. What would Microsoft do if I protested the inclusion of a crescent moon in one of their fonts?

[isthisnickcool]

I know someone has a "just damn" list. Looks like we need a "just dumb" list.

Microsoft is being absurd.

[isthisnickcool]

PS - I suppose Microsoft needs to see if their spell check has the word "niggardly" in it. My version of Office 2000 does - GASP!

[mylife]

I notice that Microsoft has no problem placing the "rainbow" symbol prominently on MSN Messenger

[VU4G10]

The Swastika is an ancient Sanskrit symbol found on rings of devoted monks and priests from India and Tibet today. The symbol represents the life force, a powerful energy that is in each of us and is connected to the God or Goddess. Unfortunately, Hitler abused this beautiful symbol representing the life force.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Watch out. A guy in D.C. lost his job a couple of years ago over that! :-)

[Gunslingr3]

[firehunter]

You think that's something?
The other day I was in a hobby store looking at model aircraft for Christmas, when I came along Revell's model of the Hindenburg. I built this same exact model as a kid.
But, something was different...I didn't pick up on it at first, then it hit me like a rock...
THEY REMOVED THE SWASTIKAS!!
Am I a big Nazi fan? No, but this is history we're talking about. You don't have the right to NOT be offended.
The PC crowd really needs to get over themselves.

[mylife]

Oh that SP episode was a H00T!

[Crowcreek]

Dear Mr. Gates:

Stamp it out! STAMP IT OUT!

Thanks- Crowcreek

[Cicero]

As I recall, the Nazi swastika accidentally got the old Buddhist symbol backwards, so there is a difference. Although no doubt with something this poisonous most people will choose to remove both.

I hope MS will also remove any hammers and sickles that happen to have crept into their symbol sets.

[Liberal Classic]

Silliness ping.

[2banana]

They do it all the time. German glue models models and Germans in video games now sport the "Maltese cross" and the "German cross"

Russian Stars and hammers and sickles are still available though...

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

But not to worry, CNN has no plans to remove the hammer-and-sickle emblem from their stuff.

[Sockdologer]

"Techie! There's a swastika in my font!"
"Shh, quiet, or the others will want one too."

[lelio]

American Indians also used the swastika symbol -- much to my surprise when walking through a museum. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if it was forwards or backwards.

[Born Conservative]

Microsoft Corp. said on Friday that its latest version of Office software inadvertently contained a font featuring two swastikas

It's Bush's fault...

[ArrogantBustard]

Indians (American and Asian) used the swastika oriented in both directions, more or less interchangeably. Likewise Chinese and Japanese, and probably Koreans.

So did that hideous, evil organisation the Boy Scouts of America...

[Dante3]

Swastikas appeared long ago in India. They have been used as a good luck symbol long before Hitler. There is also a town of Swastika in Canada where reportedly the saying is, "To hell with Hitler. We had it first."

What if another monster, such as Hitler, uses the sign of the cross or the Star of David? Would then these symbols also be removed?

All this means is that we acknowledge their right to acquisition these symbols, and once again the bad guys win.

[xrp]

JD