It's been almost nailed on the head in a couple of the responses, but something important is missing.

There is legal protection available to the consumer with just about every product. If your toaster has a faulty cord and burns your house down you can sue the manufacturer.

If your software has faults should you be able to sue the vendor?

It is a matter of scale, if the fault caused you serious injury or financial damage, yes. If it cost you a 2 minute reboot, no. Should you be able to sue someone who has given you free software, no. If they charged you for the software implying it has great value, yes.

That would seem simple but there is another issue that hasn't been covered. Auto safety is gov't regulated! With the majority of people reliant on auto's in their everyday life, safety has to be a major concern and must be regulated. The saftey of the vehicle is of major concern, but we don't worry so much about the radio that you put in the car. If it works that is good if not, replace it.

Let's take that to the software industry, your OS is your car and your applications are the radio. The OS needs to be have the same "safety" as the car. The manufacturer of the OS needs to face the same legal risks as the automaker and needs to be held to the same responsibility level. If you must pay for your OS, you should have those protections. This is even more true when you have little choice on the use of the OS. If you must rely on an OS in your everyday life and do not have an alternative. It must be treated like the auto.

I know that my car radio doesn't sound so good if I don't have a reliable car to use it in. My applications don't run as well when my OS isn't up to par either. I also know that I can't install my radio in all cars. I can't install my apps on all OS's.



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