Microsoft delivers consistent behaviour
A few weeks ago I received an email from Robert, a frustrated Xbox 360 owner. He was frustrated because he had paid $59.90 for an extended warranty but Microsoft would not honor it to fix his Xbox 360. He didn’t have a RROD, he had some video issues.
Speaking at Telstra's annual investment day in Australia, the Microsoft (News - Alert) chief executive said that because it was Google’s first foray into the phone operating system space it was way behind in its efforts.
Microsoft's second-rate search engine shut down for several hours on Black Friday, demonstrating once again Redmond's inability to keep the motor running online.
Carrying on from our Lord of the Shills, I decided to investigate Andre’s claims that people are happy with Vista.
For those that dont know Andre is a very active pro-MS poster on the Microsoft Watch site, unfortunately he wasnt good enough this week to win the Lord of the Shills, but Im sure he will get at least one award before the end of the year.
Comments
Goblin
2008-12-09 21:09:57
To be fair to Microsoft, I was never plagued with the issues other 360 users had. But now, enough is enough. The kids have got a WII for Xmas, and I may get a PS3 (although its looking doubtful now, as I just dont have the time to play it)
In regards to Lord of the Shills, this week we have even more shameless comments from our lovable shillers. Who will win? Its a close call, check it out on Wednesday! - One Shill to rule them all.
In all seriousness, my Lord of the Shills was created for two reasons, firstly for a cheap laugh, but more importantly to highlight the sort of underhanded tactics and downright dishonesty of a shiller. The winner of the weeks shilling award gets their claims looked at in more detail, from the people that really matter, the users of the software.
G. Michaels
2008-12-10 01:47:03
Note: writer of this comment adds absolutely nothing but stalking and personal attacks against readers, as documented here.
G. Michaels
2008-12-10 02:03:43
But all I see is negative tripe on there, just like Roy and so many other people who call themselves advocates. Do you think that you're serving your cause by spending all your time trying to dig up (or make up, worse) negative things about other companies and people?
I'm trying to understand the process that takes people like you or Roy or his pet nymshifter from "wow, I love free software" to "OMFG M$ IS TEH EVIL AND I MUST TELL YOU ABOUT IT REPEATEDLY AND WITHOUT PAUSE UNTIL YOU HATE ME AND IF YOU COMPLAIN THEN WELL, THAT'S JUST PROOF THAT I'M RIGHT AND YOU WORK FOR M$".
Seriously, just curious.
Note: writer of this comment adds absolutely nothing but stalking and personal attacks against readers, as documented here.
Dan O'Brian
2008-12-10 03:51:08
Ziggyfish
2008-12-10 09:44:12
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-10 09:55:16
G. Michaels
2008-12-10 18:51:12
Not as insane as you or your collaborators, who base the validity of their existence on their hatred of a corporation and disrupt communities to make sure that pointless addiction to negativity is well-stoked.
Unfortunately, in the process you end up lowering yourself to the same sad level you claim your targets are at.
It must be hard to constantly live that Big Lie(TM) - the convenient delusion that the ghostly forces of evil are behind every counter-argument to your opinions, behind every single setback or criticism, working in the shadows to actively and personally undermine you, as opposed to just realizing that some people simply find you annoying and counter-productive to the advancement of the ideals you claim to be protecting.
But what do I know, I'm just a "stalker" with funny red text under my posts :)
Note: writer of this comment adds absolutely nothing but stalking and personal attacks against readers, as documented here.
Goblin
2008-12-13 00:53:17
The "wealth of open source software" that you mention is numerous on the Linux platform, and I have to appreciate that most distro's have a standard install of alot of these packages. IMO giving Linux users views on what they are already using is a pretty pointless exercise, I try to select titles that maybe are not as well known.
On top of this unlike someone who wants to sell you things, I actually do use the software I review properly, I get to know it, find its quirks and then apply it to my real-life need. This is a time consuming process for one person, and I am sure you will appreciate (or maybe you wont) that its better to have fewer proper opinions rather than alot of rushed reviews which dont truly represent my opinions.
In addition, many of the emails I receive want more information on the underhanded tactics of proprietary companies, this is evidenced as my small blog is getting a nice little (and growing) dailly reader base, to the extent that Ive been asked if I would like to be a guest on a US radio show.
Mr Michaels, I presumed you to be more intelligent. The "Lord of The Shills" is a tongue in cheek way of exposing the misleading remarks that some people attempt to push onto the internet. It is meant to be humorous with a serious message. That is why the "winner" has their claim examined by the most important people of all, the ones that actually use the product.
I am sorry Mr Michaels you didnt understand the purpose to LOTS and I hope Ive explained it so you understand.
Would you suggest I make a separate page, explaining what I just explained to you? That way if anyone else has difficulties understanding they can refer to that page and avoid confusion.
I love the bit about "It must be hard to constantly live that Big Lie(TM) - the convenient delusion that the ghostly forces of evil are behind every counter-argument to your opinions,"
Take the posters over at MS-Watch. Ive had decent conversations with admitted Windows users. Ive celebrated the fact that they have exercised their freedom of choice, and Ive been pleased for them that they get the functionality they require from their software.
Mr Michaels, if you cant tell the difference between a poster with an honest held belief and a shill poster, I understand why you didnt comprehend what LOTS was all about. The work supporters of "freedom of choice" does make a difference, else why would we get belittled, abused and lied about? If what open source users was saying was rubbish we would simply be ignored, and more importantly Linux/open source deployment is increasing. (I wont shill by quoting stats that can be misleading)
Mr Michaels, I consider myself of sound mind. I have a house (with mortgage paid) a wife and kids. We go on holiday as time permits and the current global crisis does not have any impact on my earnings. I am in a position to buy these "wonderful" Vista laptops etc anytime I want. Why do I choose not to? Why would I choose to run a Linux system at home? Why would I waste time championing a cause that has no impact on my personal circumstances?
Maybe, just maybe I believe that open source is the way to bring free, functional and often fun computing to everyone? Maybe I dont want to see a student buying a proprietary office suite when they can get OO for free. Maybe, I would like to see a new generation embrace the ethos of open source and look forward to a future where there is no lockin, no restrictions and no issues with a computer that someone has bought.
Ill save you the time of insulting me, and call myself all the usual comments that proprietary pushers like to spout: "Fanboy","Linux Shill", "Dreamer", "Madman" is that enough?
Microsoft in my opinion has "ruled the roost" for too long. People nowadays are far more IT aware and in most of the modern avenues (IMO) MS is fighting a loosing battle. Google/MSlive, Ipod/Zune, Vista is globally renowned, for the wrong reasons. People are not upgrading and/or moving to Linux/Mac. Windows Mobile has received a hammering (and from personal experience of it on an MDA Mail, dont even get me started)
In the old days it wouldnt really matter, nowadays there are other alternatives, and I celebrate them as they are usually cheaper (or free) and invariably better.
Goblin
2008-12-13 00:58:26
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-13 01:02:33