Microsoft and Nader square off zdnet.com
Ralph Nader's conference on "Appraising Microsoft and its Global Strategy" is still a week away, but already charges of intimidation and sleazy tactics are flying.
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Also, Microsoft said it rejected a controversial proposal from a Washington communications firm that would attempt to turn public sentiment in its favor. Microsoft spokesman Greg Shaw said the plan was named "Developing Support Among Politically Influential Leadership in Small Business and the Political Activist Community," but that it was "not consistent" with the company's business practices.
What, the proposal wasn't unethical enough to be ethical? Maybe Microsoft could recommend the proper soap for their PR firm.
While the plan was rejected, SAG in the past week has been helping "introduce" Microsoft to consumer groups to give the company's "opinion" and "perspective." Shaw declined to name which groups.
Those consumer groups just need to understand the integrity and uniformity of the Windows experience, and how Bill really cares about them. Nothing to do with that all important monopolistic death grip. Bill's my hero, you know.
Nader said Microsoft has embarked on a campaign of "intimidation" and that finding speakers and even software company mailing lists has been difficult.
"Intimidation is their middle initial," said Nader.
That Nader, he knows nothing about business, and how it's unethical to be ethical in business. Intimidation is an important business asset, you know. He's just a Microsoft hater.
"There's nothing wrong with Microsoft meeting other consumer groups," said Murray. "At the very least, we don't want other consumer groups unwittingly swallowing our competitors' line in the same way Ralph Nader has. We want to make sure they know the facts."
Right, nothing but the facts. Bill just wants everyone to have a good experience on the net. Monopoly's got nothing to do with it. Those rumors about proprietary locks, monopolistic death grips- all lies spread by Microsoft haters. Windows95 is really reliable too, except when someone tears it to pieces by removing the sacred IE icon. Then it falls apart, but that's not Microsoft's fault.
Cheers, Dan. |
