03.02.09
Bully on the Internet
Summary: Another new revelation about Microsoft’s political battles against Google; Yahoo-Microsoft news; Web browsers initiative to restore some justice
Lies to Attack Competitor
GOOGLE HAS SUFFERED from a political fight against it. This was done single-handedly and thoroughly orchestrated by Microsoft [1, 2]. Wired Magazine has found out that in order to garner support for action against Google, Microsoft did its usual routine of rigging surveys or polls.
Is Microsoft Guilty of Bogus* Polling? Yes.
[..].
That is classic push polling. If you want people to respond one way, ask them leading questions or feed them information that represents just one side in the debate. And it worked here: after hearing the statement about Barnett respondents (who, again, were not very familiar with the deal) claimed, by a score of 80-20 that government regulators did the right thing.
Barnett himself is a Microsoft lackey [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7], so how much more ridiculous can this become?
For Microsoft to rely on such gaming of polls or surveys is not unusual. Microsoft was caught stacking Java and GNU/Linux polls, it used IDC for bogus GNU/Linux surveys (IDC decided to ask only Microsoft customers about GNU/Linux), and a customers survey about the Microsoft/Novell deal was tainted as well. Then, there is ISO's sheer corruption, which relates to the fact that ISO pegged its own vote in order to defend Microsoft (and itself).
Yahoo Agitated into Submission
A couple of days ago we wrote about Yahoo’s CFO letting Microsoft have some kind of an open door. There is further related coverage about it in the news. For example:
- Yahoo not opposed to deal with Microsoft
- Yahoo sheds light on thinking about search deal
- Microsoft Wants Chat With Yahoo About Search Deal
- Report: Microsoft still interested in Yahoo
- Microsoft Chief Still Stuck on Yahoo
- Yahoo’s Microsoft tab totaled $79 million
Yahoo has openly complained about Microsoft’s harassment. If Yahoo can be crushed through constant pressure, then it becomes more fragile and submissive. Even its management changes over time (characters who are resistant to Microsoft expelled).
Crimes Against Netscape Revisited
On the Internet, Microsoft continues to play dirty. It always has. As a reminder of this, here are some articles which speak about the consequences of crimes that we will cover one day (using Comes court exhibits):
1. E.U. mulling ordering Microsoft to carry rival web browsers
In its regulatory filing in the U.S. submitted late January, Microsoft said that the commission is considering ordering Microsoft and computer makers to “obligate users to choose a particular browser when setting up a new PC.” That might include a requirement that computer manufacturers “distribute multiple browsers on new Windows-based PCs,” Microsoft said in the SEC filing.
2. EC to Microsoft: We may still fine you
In a statement earlier today, European Commission spokesperson Jonathan Todd is quoted by two sources, the International Herald-Tribune and the AFP, as having publicly renewed the EC’s warning to Microsoft that it could impose more fines and force the company to offer competing Web browsers as an alternative to Internet Explorer, for the company’s European edition of Windows 7.
More coverage can be found in:
- EU May Order Microsoft To Carry Rival Web Browsers
- EU Mulling Ordering Microsoft To Carry Rival Web Browsers
- Microsoft fears EU fine over browser
Dirty and illegal tricks were the dominant pattern of Microsoft’s spiel, so why are some people whining about attempts to restore some justice, never mind if it's belated? █
“What the [user] is supposed to do is feel uncomfortable, and when he has bugs, suspect that the problem is DR-DOS and then go out to buy MS-DOS”
–Brad Silverberg, Microsoft
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