Comments on: Microsoft, bias, and blogging

For those who expect this blog to be balanced, forget it. It's an open-source blog with a definite angle.

[dehall622]

Also I would imagine any "hatred" of Microsoft does not mean "hatred" of Microsoft software, and certainly does not mean "hatred" of users of that software.

[Kwasiowusu]

"until Steve Ballmer figures out how to say "open source" without throwing up in his mouth, there will likely be an "anti-Microsoft" angle to many of the themes I cover. "

I am sure Microsoft is shaking in their boots at the thought of any missiles you throw in their direction. NOT!
Open source fanatics have been spewing against Microsoft for years, and are yet to make any dent in Microsoft's domination of the world's desktops. Even in servers, Window server still sells 3 times as many units as Linux, and is now started to increase sales faster as well.
So fire away.
BTW, why on earth should Microsoft go out there, and make it easier for open source or any other operating system to beat Windows? As shareholders, we would have to demand Ballmer's head, if he suddenly went woolly in the head and started pimping for open source instead of Windows. That's not his job. That is your job.

[kit_plummer]

I think it ridiculous that you must justify your content. But, I suppose from the blogosphere angle, even self-justification is even worthy.

I must admit that I am amazed at the levels of ignorance that still exists in the techno-world. And, it surely exists on both sides. I'm not against "hatred" fueled by competition - in my mind this is healthy. We must suffer the good versus evil spectrum, symbiont relationships are what they are.

So, blog on...

[xscess]

hey Matt Asay

What kinda retard writes this to their own reader...>>>

"If you don't like it, there are lots of other blogs on the planet to read."

And yea, you know the reason why, even accidentally, people read your crap ?? Because you are on CNET network...And if I'm not mistaken one of MIcrosoft, yessss Microsoft founder owns CNET Network...

If you think you are ANY good start your own blog and no one would bother to read or comment on your crap.

Secondly if you have any talent in IT field why don't you hire 100,000 people and start making billions for real ?? Oh let me guess ...you are NO good at hiring / managing 100,000 or so people and run / own a company like Microsoft...

That makes me think that, what in the world you good at ?? Bashing companies/people you don't like because you can't be one of 'em ?? How you got to write at CNET Network in first place ??

And that raises the ultimate question that has CNET lowered its standard this much that it has to rely on a retard like you ??

xscess

[softwaredesignengineer]

>>" That said, I'm also an admirer of much of Microsoft's technology. It is not easy to make software that works well (or reasonably well) for such a widely disparate global population of users. Microsoft tends to make complex technology look easy."

So you "admire Microsoft technology" and the software "works reasonably well" making "complex technology look easy".

Good confession.

If you really hate Microsoft for not being Open Source, then maybe a couple of posts that talk of Apple (more closed source than Microsoft and worse) in the same breadth will add some credibility. Then we'll believe that you really hate Microsoft for not being Open Source rather than hating it for being a successful company called Microsoft.

[openhelix]

Matt,

"I'm always amused by comments on this blog suggesting that I'm biased against Microsoft. Of course I am. I'm a blogger, not a journalist. Who told you otherwise?"

That should be your standard disclaimer. I almost spit coffee on my keyboard when I read it this morning.

[Penguinisto]

@ Kwasi and all the MSFT fanboys:

You kids do realize that MSFT has recently become a Platinum supporter of the Apache Foundation, right? This and many other moves have shown that MSFT has been pretty much forced to move to in the commentary section (some of whom were caught admitting to being employees of same).

[Penguinisto]

PS: a little entertainment for the Microsofties:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/off-the-field/bills-blue-screen-of-death-malfunction/2008/08/12/1218306871673.html

[xscess]

hi again Matt

I forgot to mention that I wrote my earlier comment and this one on OpenSUSE 11.0 not Microsoft Windows.

@ 'Penguinisto'

So what if Microsoft became a platinum supporter of the Apache foundation...Apache foundation makes good server and related products and thats about it... do they make an Operating System..if they are so great at EVERYTHING, why aren't they making an open source and free OS, Multi-Touch cell phone like iPhone, gaming console like PS3 ??

You know what would be even better...they can throw in FREE hardware too along with their new OS / cell phone / gaming console...

I'm NOT against open source / Linux as I use OpenSUSE / Ubuntu along with Microsoft Windows Vista/XP but to say that anything and everything open source does is always far better and superior than Microsoft is a total BS. And if that is the case then...where were all these highly superior geniuses living from 1975 to 2008 ?? Why aren't the market is dominated by their free OS and free softwares ??

[The_Decider]

"So what if Microsoft became a platinum supporter of the Apache foundation."

Because for years, MS has spent hundreds of millions in the failed attempt to destroy apache. Now all of a sudden they are investing in the best server on the market.

"do they make an Operating System..if they are so great at EVERYTHING, why aren't they making an open source and free OS"

That makes no sense and we are all dumber for reading that...

[tzs108]

"I'm a blogger, not a journalist. Who told you otherwise?".

That's a good opening to bring up something that has bugged me for a while, about your blog, and the other blogs on CNET, and blogs in general on news sites. As you note, you are a blogger, not a journalist. So why are you on a news site? Or rather, why does a news site have blogs?

I think it leads to confusion. For example, I witnessed the following happen. Someone on a blog speculated about a connection between two companies. (I happened to know it was just speculation, because I was involved with one of the companies at the time, and knew they had no connection to the other). The blogger said it was just speculation.

That speculation is mentioned on a well read-site.

A CNET blogger sees it there and blogs about it..

Other blogs note that, but rather than saying "a CNET blogger says...", several of them say "CNET reported...".

People comment on the well read-site, noting in the comments that the story has been verified by CNET. The well-read site now starts reporting the item as if it is a verified news story.

It spreads from there, and soon it is a common belief in the community that this thing is a journalist-verified fact.

I think it would be a lot better if news sites got rid of most of their blogs. Well, they can keep the blogs, but the blogs should be in a separate domain.

[softwaredesignengineer]

This blog post comes even under the "News" tab instead of the "Blog" tab. So what is that supposed to mean?