In article <dsadfw4356@microsoft.com>, <wgates@microsoft.com> writes:
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> From: wgates@microsoft.com (Bill Gates)
> Newsgroups:
comp.lang.c++,comp.os.ms-windows.programmer.win32,comp.windows.ms.programmer,co
mp.std.c++,comp.programming
> Subject: ****** Bring VISUAL C++ Beta BACK TO LIFE ******
> Date: Fri, 18 Nov 94 16:14:55 GMT
> Organization: Microsoft Corp.
> Lines: 55
> Message-ID: <dsadfw4356@microsoft.com>
> NNTP-Posting-Host: crash.cts.com
>
> I realize now that Microsoft has been extremely unfair to
> the many beta testers of VC++ v2.0. Many of you have been
> very helpful in your diligent reporting of the large number
> of bugs in this product.
>
> As you are all aware, the beta copy of Visual C++ no longer
> works, as of 10/30/94. Because we value your participation
> in our beta program, and because I now realize that selling
> a subscription edition of VC++ amounts to charging you for
> bug-fix upgrades (which would be almost unethical), I am
> posting here a method to extend the life of VC++, at least
> for the next year, until we get a chance to work out all
> of the bugs. After that, I hope that you will be so hooked
> into using the product, and we will have the product so bug-
> free, that you will find purchasing the product an
> offer too good to refuse :-)
>
> To extend the operation life of the May, 1994 beta of VC++,
> use a binary editor to edit the MSVCSHL.DLL and LINK.EXE
> files as follows:
>
> make a backup copy of MSVCSHL.DLL and LINK.EXE
>
> change MSVCSHL.DLL at offset 648C4h from 5Eh to 5Fh
>
> change LINK.EXE at offset 5EC34h from 5Eh to 5Fh
> and at offset 5EC30h from 09h to 0Ah
>
> This will re-enable these programs to work until 11/95.
> Be aware though, that this beta version may not be
> compatible with the release versions of WinNT 3.5 or Win95,
> so you may want to hold off on purchasing them as well.
>
> It does however, work with versions up to the Beta 2 version
> of NT 3.5, and Beta 1 of Win95. To get it to work with
> the subsequent versions of WinNT 3.5, re-install the
> WINMM.DLL and other sound utilities from the Beta 2 version.
>
> BTW, permission to continue to use the VC++ beta is only granted
> to those of you who actually posted bug reports on this beta.
>
> I know some of you are thinking: "This doesn't sound like
> Bill Gates". Well, what can I say; marriage has made me soft.
> And what the hell, I already have more money than I know what
> to do with; so I might as well start preparing for the "end
> game" and get ethical.
>
> Who knows, if you wait long enough to buy the product, I
> just might give it away free (to beta testers), like most
> companies do for their beta testers and business partners.
>
> Well, don't hold your breath, just your money.
>
> Bill
> "It's just another part of my plot to control the world"

>>>>> Bill Gates <wgates@microsoft.com> writes:

> Path: news.cygnus.com!kithrup.com!news.Stanford.EDU!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!ixc.ixc.net!nyx.cs.du.edu!uunorth.north.net!aloha.net
> NNTP-Posting-Host: crash.cts.com

Uh, yeah.  Try harder next time.

Jason

In article <dsadfw4356@microsoft.com>, wgates@microsoft.com (Bill Gates) wrote:

> ............

Pull the other leg

I realize now that Microsoft has been extremely unfair to
the many beta testers of VC++ v2.0. Many of you have been
very helpful in your diligent reporting of the large number
of bugs in this product.

As you are all aware, the beta copy of Visual C++ no longer
works, as of 10/30/94. Because we value your participation
in our beta program, and because I now realize that selling
a subscription edition of VC++ amounts to charging you for
bug-fix upgrades (which would be almost unethical), I am
posting here a method to extend the life of VC++, at least
for the next year, until we get a chance to work out all
of the bugs. After that, I hope that you will be so hooked
into using the product, and we will have the product so bug-
free, that you will find purchasing the product an
offer too good to refuse :-)

To extend the operation life of the May, 1994 beta of VC++,
use a binary editor to edit the MSVCSHL.DLL and LINK.EXE
files as follows:

make a backup copy of MSVCSHL.DLL and LINK.EXE

change MSVCSHL.DLL at offset 648C4h from 5Eh to 5Fh

change LINK.EXE at offset 5EC34h from 5Eh to 5Fh
and at offset 5EC30h from 09h to 0Ah

This will re-enable these programs to work until 11/95.
Be aware though, that this beta version may not be
compatible with the release versions of WinNT 3.5 or Win95,
so you may want to hold off on purchasing them as well.

It does however, work with versions up to the Beta 2 version
of NT 3.5, and Beta 1 of Win95. To get it to work with
the subsequent versions of WinNT 3.5, re-install the
WINMM.DLL and other sound utilities from the Beta 2 version.

BTW, permission to continue to use the VC++ beta is only granted
to those of you who actually posted bug reports on this beta.

I know some of you are thinking: "This doesn't sound like
Bill Gates". Well, what can I say; marriage has made me soft.
And what the hell, I already have more money than I know what
to do with; so I might as well start preparing for the "end
game" and get ethical.

Who knows, if you wait long enough to buy the product, I
just might give it away free (to beta testers), like most
companies do for their beta testers and business partners.

Well, don't hold your breath, just your money.

Bill
"It's just another part of my plot to control the world"