A contributor to the Risks mailing list has reportedly found another of those pesky computer glitches in - yes - some Microsoft software. "When going from Haugesund, Norway, to Trondheim, Norway, be aware that following Microsoft MapPoint's directions will take you through England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and finally back into Norway," Adam Shostack alleges. "While this may be culturally sensitive and respectful of historic Viking routing, or looting, it is somewhat less efficient than other routes, as a quick glance at a map will show." The conventional straight-line route is about 500 miles long and, according to the RAC, should take about 12 hours to drive. MapPoint's creative suggestion is three times as lengthy and takes two days. But Sneak suspects that most Microsoft customers are probably willing to put up with these minor inconveniences for the sake of a nice GUI.

24 Jan 2005