12.14.08
Microsoft’s Sentimental Blackmail is Back in the Mail
(RED) stain in Microsoft’s stagnant reputation
WE already wrote about this extensively about a year ago [1, 2]. Rather than repeat the explanation we provided at the time, we shall explore and discuss this in the form of an update because the (RED) scam is retuning for the holidays. Take-home message: those who are interested in charity should give to charity, not to abusive and disrespectful monopolies.
Microsoft is using poor African children in an effort to promote Windows Vista and Dell PCs (Dell is paid by Microsoft to "recommend" Windows Vista). How insensitive business people have become. To limit the scope of this post, we won’t even go into the depths of how Bill Gates' investments in African oil are killing Nigerian children. The many media companies Microsoft has a stake in don’t report about this side of the story. They can’t.
“Microsoft is using poor African children in an effort to promote Windows Vista…”This was not the first time that Microsoft (even Bill Gates at a personal capacity) used sentimental blackmail to further corporate agenda. For those not aware of this latest push, Microsoft’s own booster at CNET summarises it as: “Buy Vista, fight AIDS in Africa.”
“Awww…. think about the children.”
“Why don’t you buy Windows Vista?”
“This will make the world a better place.”
Anyway, that’s pretty much the message which Microsoft is trying to send. This is covered also in IDG, which is connected to Microsoft. It’s another very silly headline: “New Microsoft Vista Version Helps Fight AIDS”
Windows Vista Ultimate (Product) Red will be available starting Dec. 15, and an undisclosed portion of the profits will be donated to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.
Emphasis, if needed, would fit pretty well where it says “undisclosed portion”. Yes, charity has to remain a secret because it’s done behind closed doors. Does that not sounds familiar? It’s also worth remembering that IDG is responsible for Microsoft revisionism that denies serious crimes in Africa.
We could only find two more reports about this and they were not as ‘Microsoft-obedient’ as the above. Here is what we found:
- Microsoft Vista Ultimate gets (PRODUCT)RED treatment
- Microsoft Vista Ultimate PRODUCT (RED) edition coming Dec 15th
If only it wasn’t so kitschy (red like blood) and also insulting. It’s spreading the demeaning 'drug' and DRM trap using other people’s misery.
Dell’s plant-a-tree-for-each-PC-sold campaign was lame enough; people are better off sticking to lightweight operating systems like GNU/Linux and not buying unneeded PCs (to ‘plant a tree’) while burying another one, which is filled with toxins (these typically get exported to and dumped in Africa where they cause enormous damage to the population). So, all in all, Dell deserves part of the blame too. This programme promotes sending more garbage to Africa. It’s marketed differently though. █
Vista does not help hungry kids, it helps Microsoft shareholders
pcolon said,
December 14, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Why is it undisclosed? Is it going to their corporate aligned friends in Africa for ‘distribution’?