04.24.09
Microsoft’s Profits Down Sharply, Microsoft’s FUD Up Sharply
Summary: Reaffirmation of Microsoft’s problems comes from its sympathisers; Microsoft FUD ensues
MICROSOFT’S ATTACKS on its competitors are peaking. Apple too is target, but we focus mostly on Free software, GNU/Linux in particular.
Like a cornered animal (with net earnings down 32% [1, 2], as now confirmed even by the pro-Microsoft press), Microsoft turns vicious and merciless. It’s not only suing Linux but it slanders it also. We’ll get to a couple of prominent examples in a moment. But first, regarding the possibility of more Microsoft layoffs [1, 2, 3], Mary Jo Foley wrote about it last night:
1. Are there more layoffs coming, beyond the 5,000 announced earlier this year? One Seattle analyst predicted that there would be. A number of Microsoft employees have been walking on eggshells the past week or two in anticipation that more cuts would be announced, possibly today.
We are aware that Microsoft is encouraging its employees to go to ZDNet and comment sympathetically about Microsoft and here is Mary Jo being told off by some incognito ZDNet commenter for expressing her views amid these hard times for Microsoft.
FUD Machine
To give examples of outright FUD, one of the many publications that are in Microsoft's pocket (almost literally) is MSNBC. Watch how Microsoft may be using this ‘news’ platform to attack Android right now, despite the fact that Android has been doing exceptionally well and Google’s CEO was bullish about it after the good financial report earlier this month. MSNBC’s angle is characteristically Linux- and Google-hostile, so it focuses only on the number of devices running Android. It’s the art of selective statistics. The rebuttal to it would go like: “iPhone too is only one phone, but Android has many phone lined up for release and it already sells well.”
Another new piece of FUD comes from Rob Enderle, who is very close to Microsoft [1, 2, 3, 4]. Due to the intimacy between Enderle and Microsoft, it’s not worth linking to his latest slanderous attack on GNU/Linux, but Groklaw has already explained:
In short, this is just FUD, or maybe hopeful dreaming on Enderle’s part, and as written, I’d say it’s going absolutely nowhere.
What next? Enderle has already beaten the SCO drum, then the TomTom drum. Now he opportunistically spins the Oracle deal. This FUD typically comes from Microsoft itself but never directly because it would be bad for PR. █
‘”Independent” analyst’s report should be issued, praising your technology and damning the competitors (or ignoring them). “Independent” consultants should write columns and articles, give conference presentations and moderate stacked panels, all on our behalf (and setting them up as experts in the new technology, available for just $200/hour).’
–Microsoft, internal document [PDF]
Roy Schestowitz said,
April 24, 2009 at 7:15 am
Another new example of FUD (from IDG):
“Intel CPU cache poisoning: dangerously easy on Linux”
“By Microsoft Subnet on Wed, 04/22/09 – 11:17am.”
“Note: The following post is a guest blog submitted to Microsoft Subnet by a security expert who wished to remain anonymous.”
Needs Sunlight Reply:
April 24th, 2009 at 9:46 am
The SMM hole busts Windows wide open:
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=1130
http://theinvisiblethings.blogspot.com/2009/03/attacking-smm-memory-via-intel-cpu.html
It’s just that with the successful release of Jaunty Jackalope, MS’ astroturfers are trying rather pathetically to find some way to steal the thunder.
Roy Schestowitz Reply:
April 24th, 2009 at 9:52 am
David Gerard wrote about this humourously:
“Microsoft snatches publicity crown from Ubuntu Linux”
“However, Microsoft has indicated to its press corps, Microsoft Completely Enderlependent Analysts, to ixnay on the evensay and highlight the job openings for work on Windows 8, firmly penciled in for a 2012 release. Windows 8 will be optimised for low-end 32-core systems with a mere 16 gigabytes of memory — 28 cores for the interface, 3 cores for the DRM and one core for everything else. “Seven is just so this year. I hear they’ll get $DATABASE_FILESYSTEM done next release for sure!” said ZDNet marketing marketer Mary-Jo Enderle. “It’ll be awesome™!”“
Roy Schestowitz Reply:
April 24th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Little update:
Given Heise’s high-quality reporting, it’s disappointing to see it parroting the FUD.
Roy Bixler Reply:
April 24th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
And here’s a comment on their story:
Roy Schestowitz Reply:
April 24th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Well, at least nobody is embarrassed because “anonymous security expert” has no name.
twitter said,
April 24, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I wonder how the MicroSerfs can get any work done. With so few contractors doing actual software work, and so many fewer full time M$ people around, Vista 7 workers can’t have much time to chat on line.