A JOURNALIST who is focused on Microsoft once told me that Microsoft has a system whereby it rewards journalists who glorify Microsoft and punishes those who do not. It goes a lot further than that, but the discussion was private. What we do know (and have been writing about for years) is that CNET not only gives blogs to people who are Microsoft analysts (whose livelihood depends on Microsoft's performance); it also employs de facto Microsoft PR people who pretend to be unbiased reporters. CNET is basically considered by us to be a terrible news source, which is biased by selection of writers and editors (and even the trolls in the comments [1, 2], who are sometimes bribed by Microsoft or are Microsoft employees in disguise). We have already provided many examples [1, 2], so we need not merely theorise.

“Let's remember that CNET used to be funded by Microsoft's co-founder...”CNET's most obnoxious Microsoft booster would have to be Ina Fried, who occasionally helps Microsoft attack GNU/Linux [1, 2]. He or she is still working around the clock with Microsoft staff (sending and receiving quotes and scoops) in order to keep CNET full of positive publicity and fake "leaks" for Microsoft. The same goes for people like Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates; Fried regularly generates news glorying him, as if endless PR and people following the latter around (and believing the marketers of his image) are not sufficient.

Well, Ina Fried receives some more payback after advertising Microsoft under the disguise of "journalism" for several years. "Hitting the road with Bill Gates" is the headline of Fried's very recent post. Ina Fried is already sucking up to him by calling him "The next American Idol" (it's a contextual pun, but still, it's intended to deceive and glamourise). Bill Gates is already embarking on that "College Tour" which we wrote about a week ago and he is visiting Stanford to begin with [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. That's today by the way. It's just a PR tour, as noted not just by ourselves. TechFlash is another Web site which glorifies Microsoft almost as a matter of formal mission and it writes: "But like an aging rock star who can't resist the allure of the road, Gates announced last night that he'll be back at it next week -- visiting UC Berkeley, Stanford, the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and MIT."

Over at Groklaw, Pamela Jones replies to it by saying: "Here's what Gates writes he'll be doing there, aside from giving talks: "I’ll also be spending time at each school meeting with students and faculty to learn about innovative work they’re doing in their various programs." Not to be unkind, but the students and faculty might want to talk to folks like i4i before they share their innovative ideas. Just saying. Ask your lawyer." She is referring to the i4i vs Microsoft case. Microsoft infringed deliberately.

Next stop for Gates is the home of GNU and the FSF. Stallman must be yearning for it. Chicago is also part of this tour, where Gates will be ushered by people who lack critical thinking skills. Google's Wikipedia rival, Knol, describes Bill Gates as follows:

Bill Gates ranks as one of the wealthiest and most influential people in history, yet he's equally controversial. Is he an example of the American dream, a cutthroat businessman who has redeemed himself through philanthropy or a career criminal? This article presents a basic biography, then adds opinions, theories and logic in an effort to promote discussion and discover the truth.

--Dark cloud over good works of Gates Foundation