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December 27, 2006
Blogola
Blogola: Microsoft sent free computers to popular tech-ish bloggers. I've been thinking about it all day and don't have much of a conclusion... business and politics are both trying to influence public conversation in weblogs these days... I'm not sure how to differentiate influence through buying a meal, from influence through buying a computer, to influence through promise of future business dealings, to other types of subtle influence we've seen over the centuries. But I do know that if I worked at on any team at Microsoft, then I'd be pretty annoyed at the Edelman stunt, because now any pro-MS perspective which comes out of that group of bloggers is forever tainted. Think about it... these recipients can only spread negative opinions about Microsoft now, because any positive opinions encounter instant objections from critics and don't spread. This seems counterproductive to Microsoft's and Edelman's business interests, doesn't it...?
Posted by JohnDowdell at December 27, 2006 06:21 PM
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Comments
Acer sucks!
Surprise for me to see Acer as present computer. Stupid Miki$oft!
Posted by: Jack at December 27, 2006 11:29 PM
I wouldn't call this payola because there's no quid pro quo. It's just very generous. I'd take one!
Posted by: Phillip Kerman at December 28, 2006 02:41 PM
It does make you wonder if that was the original intention. To blacken the eyes of these bloggers, to neutralize them. Microsoft is quite devious, "Windows isn't done til Lotus doesn't run" was an old Microsoft quote, that indicated they deliberately made sure other vendors software wouldn't work properly, to give Microsoft software the edge. The best thing you can do if Microsoft approaches you about a deal, a meal, of just asks directions, is run like hell. They've done a great job of destroying all I enjoyed about using computers, and now they are bent on destroying the game market, cel phones, and mp3 players. Oh Redmond what did we ever do to you?
Posted by: jane quatam at January 3, 2007 03:52 PM