05-14-2003, 06:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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The Off-Topic Story That Keeps Coming Back, Flush After Flush
"Microsoft reversed its position for the second time in 24 hours Tuesday over whether it had ever planned to launch a portable toilet with a built-in Internet terminal in Britain this summer. On Monday, the world's largest software maker had said the "iLoo," which was described in minute detail in an April 30 press release by its British subsidiary, was a hoax and apologized for any "confusion or offense."
But Microsoft switched its story Tuesday and said that the iLoo had been a legitimate project by its British MSN Internet service that was terminated after the initial announcement prompted controversy, ridicule and disgust. "Corporate headquarters in Redmond, Wash., looked at it and decided maybe this wasn't a good idea," said Lisa Gurry, MSN group product manager."
We first reported this as being a real product. Then we reported that MSN was claiming it was a "joke", and I disputed that fact. Now it seems that I was right after all - this was a real product, and someone at MSN thought it would be a good idea to lie and tell people it was a joke rather than have the courage to own up to the fact that it was a poorly-conceived idea. It's always easier to stand up and say "It was a stupid decision" rather than cover it up. Kudos to Microsoft HQ for doing this so quickly, even if it was after the fact. Next time Microsoft, be honest with people - we're smarter than you think!
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05-14-2003, 06:09 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 416
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Not that I expect integrity from major corporations these days (ahem, <cough>enron</cough> -- just to name one), but it doesn't give me confidence in Microsoft to see this lack of it... sure they made things right, and I'm glad they did, but the lack of integrity always puts a stain on the reputation of anybody who lacks it.
Also, this is such a minor thing (who cares if they lied about an "iLoo") but I am a firm believer that the little things are small windows into the big things... :?
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"And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies' plan. By mixing a little truth with it they had made their lie far stronger."-C.S. Lewis
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05-14-2003, 06:18 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,185
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by lurch
Not that I expect integrity from major corporations these days (ahem, <cough>enron</cough> -- just to name one), but it doesn't give me confidence in Microsoft to see this lack of it... sure they made things right, and I'm glad they did, but the lack of integrity always puts a stain on the reputation of anybody who lacks it.
Also, this is such a minor thing (who cares if they lied about an "iLoo") but I am a firm believer that the little things are small windows into the big things... :?
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Funny you should say this. I was just watching CNBC and there was a segment on "restoring investor trust"...again...and then I return to my desk and see Gateway is under criminal investigation for their accounting work as well. Corporate trust is truly elusive these days it would seem. I wonder where it stops.
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05-14-2003, 06:25 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 62
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and I thought those were going to be doubling as the access points at the Circle K's. :lol:
I think it is a good concept, stranger ideas have worked. :roll:
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05-14-2003, 06:28 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 116
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iLoo Publicist Loses Her Job!!!!
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05-14-2003, 06:30 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 416
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by bdegroodt
I wonder where it stops.
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I can't tell you where it'll stop, but I can tell you where it'll start (and it won't be a quick-fix like so many people want). It has to come down to the individual -- you (generic) and me. These corporate deceptions, or "creative accountings", or whatever, come from one or two or several or even a lot of people who lack integrity in their own lives, which subsequently spills over into their work life, and into the company. The change will come when individuals begin to strive to have integrity themselves...
__________________
"And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies' plan. By mixing a little truth with it they had made their lie far stronger."-C.S. Lewis
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05-14-2003, 06:32 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 416
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Re: iLoo Publicist Loses Her Job!!!!
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Originally Posted by Noel
<picture>
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I think it's facing the wrong way though........ :twisted:
__________________
"And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies' plan. By mixing a little truth with it they had made their lie far stronger."-C.S. Lewis
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05-14-2003, 06:47 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,043
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Oh no, not another out-from-under toilet paper installer! I've been battling you guys most of my life. The paper rolls off the top, silly! The picture is correct, imo 
As for the iLoo; isn't 'spin' standard corporate practice these last bunch of years? Or rather, since big industry got started? Feeding crap to the general public to protect the bottom line is an industry in itself, and a highly profitable one. This web-toilet is a bad idea, at least from a sanitary perspective, never mind the cost in wasted time in the bathroom and the annoyance of ever longer lineups outside the stalls. And Microsoft is just chicken to face the music for promoting such a bad idea in the first place.
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Gerard Ivan Samija
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05-14-2003, 06:53 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 416
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Gerard
Oh no, not another out-from-under toilet paper installer! I've been battling you guys most of my life. The paper rolls off the top, silly! The picture is correct, imo |
Whoops, better clarify myself... I am totally a over-the-top TP guy!!! Never anything else..
When I said "facing the wrong way" I meant it's facing her face instead of her, well, you can figure it out from there.. :wink:
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"And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies' plan. By mixing a little truth with it they had made their lie far stronger."-C.S. Lewis
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05-14-2003, 06:59 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,043
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Oh. Good. Sorry, that interpretation didn't occur to me at all.
I suspect the over/under thing is physiologically based. Seems to me most women (except my mom, bless her) are 'unders' where this is concerned, while most men are 'overs.'
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Gerard Ivan Samija
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Linear Mode
