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Some relatively moderate works for friends of Bill from esteemed ilk sister Mary Jo Foley. Make of it what you will, as I've said, uh, more than once, I get confused by people saying what a great and good monopoly Microsoft is, except in the antitrust context. I got a small mind.
Grass-roots, user-group advocacy can be a great thing. The problem is, it's all too easy to end up with too much of a great thing.
This is a lesson Microsoft needs to remember as it lines up its user, reseller, developer and hardware partner ducks in a row to provide "impartial" backing for Windows 98. If Microsoft throws caution to the wind in attempting to prove that Windows = Apple Pie, the effects could be more damaging and far-reaching than any campaign that its well-known critics could orchestrate.
As the Windows 98 clock ticks down, you're likely to hear a lot of third-party testimonials as to why the U.S. Department of Justice and various state attorneys general should back off from any attempts to curb Microsoft's full-throttle Windows 98 marketing efforts. Expect to hear why Windows 98 is crucial to the fiscal and mental health of all kinds of companies,from Dell and Compaq, to Bob's Computer & Sub Shop. The message won't be new, but instead of reading these sentiments in the form of full-page newspaper advertisements from Microsoft, you'll be hearing them verbally from "unbiased" Microsoft advocates.
Another thing I think I said more than once, people you disagree with are "biased", those you agree with are "objective".
To the Linux backers' credit, it seems that some of the more seasoned and reasonable members of their camp are taking steps to self-police the group and offer suggested ways of dealing positively and proactively with free software critics. Just last week, members of the Linux camp were discussing seriously suggested advocacy How-To guidelines circulating among their rank and file.
Microsoft should watch, listen and learn a thing or two from these folks before enlisting indiscriminately backers of its Windows products and strategies. Failure to do so could add even more fuel to the anti-Microsoft fires which are surrounding Bill G & Co. from all sides.
Cheers, Dan. |
