An open letter to Microsoft

By Tim Danton

Posted on 22 Apr 2008 at 11:39

Dear Microsoft,

I'm writing to ask for a public commitment from you to release an updated version of Money in the UK.

Why? Because we're now in the ridiculous situation where the only available version of Money in Britain is Money 2005, released in September 2004. The software is so dated it prompts users to back up their personal Money files to floppy disk.

Still, Money 2005 works, and if you can scout around you can still buy it. But, bewilderingly, if I bought a copy today you wouldn't support it.

Here's the response one of our readers received from your own support team:

"Money 2005 is an obsolete product. Obsolete products are not eligible for assisted [support] from us."

And yet your own spokesperson also told us:

"Customer feedback from [the UK] continues to indicate that the 2005 version offers all the tools and services needed to manage accounts, understand spending, and manage bills that the customer needs."

That certainly appears to be true, as even though you aren't supporting Money, the banks are. Ten out of the 12 online banks we reviewed last month support Money, and Nationwide actually integrates its service with the software (despite what our review said - apologies for that).

We're not asking for much. Just an update of Money 2005 with, heaven forbid, customer support thrown in.

In the meantime, we're asking all PC Pro readers who want a new version of Money to email us at money@pcpro.co.uk. Just say, "I want Money" in the subject line, and - optionally - let us know why you want it.

So, Microsoft, we await your response in hope and expectation.

Tim Danton
Editor, PC Pro