Phillip Morris, General Mills, McDonald's, and ... Microsoft???

Bill Gates & Co. have joined the ranks of companies who try to ensure lifelong customers by getting children hooked on their products. Microsoft has announced the creation of a new programming language designed to get kids used to programming in MS's .Net environment. Kid's Programming Language (KPL) is designed to replace BASIC as the beginner's programming language of choice.

And guess what? It is very similar to .Net, so when kids are ready to make the switch to a new language, it's much easier for them to upgrade to Microsoft's proramming products than to use one of the myriad other languages out there.

Guess what else? It only works with Microsoft Windows!

There is no truth to the rumor that Joe Camel, who has been unemployed for the last 8 years, is in talks to be the spokesanimal representing KPL.