04.23.10
Gemini version available ♊︎Microsoft MVPs Nymshifting, Pretending to be Other Gender, Accepting Bribes, and Libeling GNU/Linux Users
Response to libel from Microsoft MVP Andre Da Costa
Summary: Words of clarification and a call for action against Microsoft AstroTurfing, which is rampant and is a violation of the law
Being a GNU/Linux proponent is not an easy thing. Having looked at Pogson’s blog the other day, we found the usual names of the usual Microsoft AstroTurfers trolling him in his own GNU/Linux blog. But this quick post is intended to be a clarification because I promised not to comment in other Web sites after I had been forged repeatedly.
“Microsoft is giving expensive presents to some of these people to encourage (reward for) this type of behaviour.”Microsoft’s bad behaviour on the Web is being exposed even further and this post ought to explain why Microsoft should be held liable, based on the laws of the United States*. It’s one thing when Microsoft encourages its trolls to abuse people in their personal Web sites, but it’s entirely another when Microsoft sends employees in disguise to do this.
As we explained before, Microsoft is giving expensive presents to some of these people to encourage (reward for) this type of behaviour. To become a Microsoft MVP one needn’t actually promote Microsoft APIs like Miguel de Icaza; MVP awards fly off Microsoft’s shelves even if one is a successful Internet troll, as demonstrated by Andre Da Costa, who keeps nymshifting, most recently morphing into names of females too. For those who have not heard of Da Costa, here are some previous posts on the subject:
- Vista 7 Does Have Battery Issues (Microsoft Lied) and Microsoft Gives “MVP” to Man Who Loves “to Argue Against Linux Fanatics”
- AstroTurfing for Vista 7 Still Alive
- Andre Da Costa: Profile of a Microsoft Shill
- Microsoft PR Presented as ‘News’
- “Mr Dee” from CNET Received Laptop Gift/Bribe from Microsoft
- Aggressive Marketing for Vista 7
In his latest appearance, Microsoft MVP Andre is spreading libel about me, even though I never speak to him. I was never banned from sites, nor was I ever nymshifting as he claims. Andre perhaps relies on libelous sources, so his libel might not be intentional; anyway, the record needed to be set straight. A full-time Microsoft employee/AstroTurfer [1, 2, 3, 4] named Jonathan Wong once did something similar and it’s documented in:
- Paid Microsoft AstroTurfer Strikes Boycott Novell
- Boycott Novell Has New Subscriber
- Microsoft Reported to the FTC for AstroTurf Marketing
- Are Microsoft Employees (Technical Evangelists) Using Spammers in Twitter?
Perhaps it’s time for victims to sue Microsoft for running this type of AstroTurf operation and witch hunts that are carried out by its compensated fiends. We have already complained to the FTC and received a response. But until enough people complain about what Microsoft is doing, the FTC will choose dough nuts over enforcement (they work based on bulk of complaints, not separable incidents and reports, at least based on their letter to us).
Microsoft should not be allowed to get away with these dubious practices that actually do hurt people. There is nothing professional about Microsoft, no matter how much it spends on PR. “Microsoft is sponsoring the History Channel now,” told us our reader Ryan just 20 minutes ago. “This program brought to you by Windows 7,” says the channel. Should Microsoft also be allowed to have a say on history? It’s bad enough as it is. █
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* Microsoft uses tricks here, by sending its AstroTurfers overseas or hiring them indirectly, via PR agencies.
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dyfet said,
April 24, 2010 at 7:49 am
It’s called projection. Since they engage in that behavior, they believe and expect others do also. It’s also a way to rationalize their own mis-behaviors to themselves.
your_friend Reply:
April 25th, 2010 at 1:18 am
Do not try to explain Microsoft’s crimes, simply document and condem them. There can be many reasons for Microsoft’s actions and rank hypocrisy but only the guilty parties know for sure. Pointing out the facts is more useful than second guessing, which will always be ridiculed as incorrect. Roy has done a good job of documenting the damage done to people who dare challenge Microsoft propaganda but more is always better.
Dr. Roy Schestowitz Reply:
April 25th, 2010 at 5:16 am
Microsoft uses projection with the “Google is evil” pitch.
Yuhong Bao said,
April 25, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Yea, I ignore Andre Da Costa. Jonathan Wong, well, he at least did reveal himself as an MS employee on BN later, and always posted using their real name there, which is not astroturfing.
Dr. Roy Schestowitz Reply:
April 25th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
It’s spinning on the payroll. The name does not serve as an excuse.
Yuhong Bao Reply:
April 26th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Agreed, it is not always an excuse, particularly if they try to deny they are an MS employee. At least later Wong remembered to mention the association with MS at the beginning of the posts on BN.
Yuhong Bao Reply:
April 26th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
In fact, it reminds me of MS’s OS/2 astroturfing as covered by Joe Barr. If it was not an excuse back then, why it would be an excuse now?
Dr. Roy Schestowitz Reply:
April 26th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Yes, Joe Barr did wonderful work.
http://techrights.org/2008/07/14/microsoft-os2-dirty-tactics/
http://techrights.org/2008/07/30/joe-barr-obituary/