Microsoft Rushing to Clean Up the Code

An internal memo that circulated through Microsoft last week has programmers scrambling to fix more than 60,000 bugs in the final Windows 2000 source code. Making it a top priority in Redmond before the official launch on February 17th, group VP Jim Alchin and several development leaders are telling programmers that the bugs must be fixed, stating "Our customers do not want us to sell them products with over 63,000 potential known defects. They want these defects corrected."

Totaling more than 65,000, these potential problems range from forgotten bugs and feature implementation, to notes suggesting "plain confusion as to how something is supposed to work." Because Windows 2000 went final last December, meaning no more changes to code will take place, Microsoft will focus on correcting the problems in a follow-up service pack due this Spring. In addition, there will be no further development of Whistler or Blackcomb at Microsoft until the bugs in Windows 2000 are fixed.

While many experts are suggesting companies not deploy Windows 2000 until after the first or second service pack, Microsoft has begun the marketing blitz with the slogan "Windows 2000 is coming. Online or off, a standard in reliability," on billboards, buses, and even telephone booths. With the official launch just three days away, programmers at Microsoft will have some long days, and nights, ahead of them to clean up the code.