1.   But because this unbundling of services helped IBM to lower its computer prices, the complaints were muted.

2.   But on Monday Shi, consistent with a general effort by officials to minimize conflict, kept his complaints muted.

3.   But the more recent, spectacular gains of the Web investments have muted the complaints.

4.   But there was criticism from those whose applications failed, as well as more muted complaints from those who won the new contracts.

5.   But those complaints have been muted by real customers who have come into their real stores, bought books and expressed support because of having seen the film.

6.   Food, medicine and other basic, badly needed aid made its way to Kobe with painful slowness, but complaints were muted.