Very true. That's why I try to refrain from gut reactions like my view that "DOS was one of the greatest handicaps of the era" :). It's very easy to look back and critique decisions made by others... a little too easy; it is a little to easy to do when one isn't in the hotseat of decision-making. There are certain things, though, that will inevitably annoy the consumer (some of us more than others, I'm sure), especially those that get a little too idealistic sometimes. :)
While "no amount of bitter analysis will change" the way things played out in the past, I believe that thoroughly analyzing (minus the "bitter") the history can certainly help one prepare for the future, or else we are indeed doomed to repeat mistakes. Naturally, the situations are rarely the same, but many times there are enough similarities for one to draw careful conclusions about cause/effect. That is why D is here, no less. And even, then the challenge still remains. :) I'm not sure I answered you according to what you were meaning to express, but hopefully I was close. All the best, -JJR
