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OUR previous post on this subject was a highlight of newly-unsealed E-mails which reveal media machinations at Microsoft. Here is another example from page 28 [PDF]. It shows quite lucidly how Microsoft is capitalising on innocence of reporters and feeding them with whatever 'needs' to be included in a story. This relates rather nicely to things we wrote about Microsoft's control of the media.

From: Tom Pilla Sent: November 17, 2006 8:32 PM To: Steve Ballmer; Debbie Hill; Dorothy Velth CC: Mich Mathews; Larry Cohen; John Pnette; Bill Cox; Ari Bixhorn; Kim Stocks; Frank Shaw (Waggener Edstrom) Subject RE: Biz Value Launch - Pre event Media inteviews

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Bloomberg Dina Bass

Despite her lack of deep technical knowledge, Dina has been well versed in Office, Vista and Exchange. She recently met with Criscap, Mike Slavert and Dave Thompson for deep dives. Dina is positive about the releases, but her affinity for controversy/tension means she will reference (in her launch coverage) the barriers we will face. Whether it is the EU, product delays, or competitive threats from Google, Dina tells a complete story.

Worth seeing is also their back-rubbing with John Foley of the muchly-biased Information Week. They really try to set up and arrange the coverage Vista receives. Waggener Edstrom (some background here) is present as well, probably in order to assist the management of perception. The E-mail above was sent to Steve Ballmer, in case it's not clear.

This revelation arrives at an excellent time as it relates nicely to this week's news about Microsoft limiting choice a little further. They want the shelves at the computer stores to offer nothing but the DRM-laden Windows Vista, which nobody likes anyway.

No one wants Vista, and stubborn Windows users have demanded XP. While neither Microsoft nor its partners will admit it, Microsoft has abandoned its attempt to kill off XP.

Last June, Microsoft announced that it would no longer be selling XP. Even then. Microsoft had started backing away from its flat statement that XP was history.

There is more information about this here. ⬆

"Mind Control: To control mental output you have to control mental input. Take control of the channels by which developers receive information, then they can only think about the things you tell them. Thus, you control mindshare!"

--Microsoft, internal document [PDF]