This is the full text of an E-mail I sent to UMAX. I have an Astra 1220U color flatbed scanner made by them that I cannot use in Windows 2000 and have not yet figured out how to make work in linux. The scanner works fine as far as that goes. Was I too harsh with them? You decide.
Dear UMAX Support,
When I converted to Windows 2000
about 10 months ago, I went to your site to obtain Windows 2000 drivers and was
unpleasantly surprised to see a message to the effect that UMAX did not and
would not support Windows 2000 for the Astra 1220U. I had hoped that this, in time, would change. So I pointed my browser to your site again
tonight with anticipation and renewed hope that I would find the software I
need to use my UMAX Astra 1220U scanner with Windows 2000 (much less linux - my
other OS).
Imagine my profound disappointment
upon finding the same cold, unchanged message in your FAQ and no Windows 2000
drivers. Now, I know it's a dog-eat-dog
world in consumer electronics, that the competition is fierce, and the profit
margins are razor thin. However, someday
I will need another scanner or perhaps another device that UMAX makes. My experience here has provided the perfect
inspiration for my adamant conviction that I shall never again waste
money on a UMAX product.
You have basically said,
"Sorry, Mr. Bozo Customer. You're
SOL. We're not supporting you. Up yours, and good riddance. Piss off!" Well, I got the message.
I hope you do, too.
Quite sincerely,
Your Former Customer