I used to work for Xerox, and the machine i work with were build in the EU. the manuals came from england, and caused several problems stateside. when the directions said "Secure bolt with a spanner whilst..." it could have been greek! this side of the atlantic we use wrenches (and had fun editing a solvent liquid wrench to ...wench)and never did anything "whilst" doing anything else!

But your rant focused on other difficulties. it is sad how careless people get, and the internet doesn't help since email is so much more casual, spelling and grammar errors are accepted as part of the environment. But again at Xerox, a move planned for January was delayed, and notice went out that the move would be on February 31st--I asked for my pay stub to include salary for Feb 29, 30, and 31st!



my other obsession