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.

[aruanan]

A form of the swastika has been used in the Buddhist religion to symbolize the feet or footprints of the Buddha. The symbol, which was also used widely in the ancient world including Mesopotamia, Scandinavia, India and the Americas, became common in China and Japan with the spread of Buddhism.

The swastika is thought to be a symbolic representation of a comet approaching head-on, a graphic remnant of a celestial close encounter.

[antiRepublicrat]

This isn't a new thing. There was a controversy in the 80s in IIRC New Mexico where the symbol for the school's yearbook was the Indian swastika. It was in a heavily Indian area, so it was considered quite appropriate until the modern-day Nazis in the form of PC activists complained.

[KarlInOhio]

So did the US Army. Check out the 45th infantry division insignia:

http://www.vetshome.com/military_infantry_division_patch5.htm

[henderson field]

The American Indian Swastika represents the hunting path. The braves go out from the central camp and sweep a radius around the camp. This is the best way to find game. If you don't find game, you starve. Persons who misinterpret this noble traditional symbol are un-American and should be deported at the earliest opportunity.

[ArrogantBustard]

What if another monster, such as Hitler the Ku Klux Klan, uses the sign of the cross

[OneTimeLurker]

That's a pretty rediculous comparison.

[Delphinium]

Maybe they want people to forget Hitler.

[ArrogantBustard]

Smart move to change their insignia, prior to combat with the Nazis ... but that ended in 1945. The Buddhists etc... used the swastika for centuries before Adolf the Butcher stole it ... it's time they got it back.

Note the a Buddhist etc. swastika "rests" on one side, while a Nazi swastika "rests" on one corner.

[longtermmemmory]

The story seems to say that the removal utility is for those who are offended only. If you don't care or have a need to be offended then you can go about your life.

Seems like a situation hithicker's guide to the galaxy peril obscuring sunglasses.

[mylife]

Gee Thanks

[Ingtar]

I play a WWII game (Hearts of Iron.) This game has all the German units without "that symbol." They cannot sell it in Europe if it is included. It is illegal to even show screenshots there that include the symbol.

[N. Theknow]

MIcrosoft might do well to check this out.

Swastika Postcard 1907

[N. Theknow]

An excerpt from this site:The Swastika and the Nazis

It is easy to understand and sympathize with Rabbi Silverman's sentiment. But ripping off swastikas from buildings, purging art and history books from swastikas, or simply ignoring them, is neither a scientific, nor a rational way to deal with this subject. As graphic designer Henry Dreyfuss put it, "the fact that an ignominious fanatic placed a Swastika on his battle flag is insufficient reason for ignoring this symbol's historic significance." The Nazis and neoNazis have no registered copyrights on the use of the swastika. They stole this symbol from mankind and use it for their evil purposes. Allowing the Nazis an exclusive privilege for using this symbol is equivalent to an act of moral cowardice.

The time is ripe to redeem this beautiful and enigmatic symbol, taking it from under Nazi control. We must bring it back to the illustrious place it deserves among other similar symbols in the long history of mankind.

Also note that the symbol of old was with the arms of the cross facing right and the Nazis have the arms facing left. Interesting.

[Alter Kaker]

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.

I have hand-made rug of Navajo American Indian - this from around 1910, and it has forward and backward swastika. Here in Israel, this is something of conversation topic. But I like it.

[HamiltonJay]

Swastica's have been around for eons, were used by native americans and other things as well... while they be best recognized as symbols of the Nazi party... it is hardly the only time they were ever used....

HOw damned paranoid are you that a mere symbols existence offends you?

[Dante3]

I believe it happened in Louisiana where a Jewish youth was forbidden to wear the Star of David to school because some gangs also wore it.

[Liberal Classic]

Silliness Ping.

[Hunble]

Remember, to a Soviet Socialist, the horror and hatred of National Socialist is because they dared to attack Russia.

Today, I still fail to understand the difference.

Go figure....

[FLAMING DEATH]

Because, you see, history never really happened.

[TexasRepublic]

The ancient Romans had swastikas also. Large silver plates dug up from Roman settlements in England can be seen in the British Museum - some are stamped with swastikas.