Microsoft 'indoctrinates' Best Buy workers with anti-Linux 'lies'
Filed under: Technology, Microsoft
Microsoft (MFST) is "indoctrinating" Best Buy (BBY) workers to sell its highly anticipated Windows 7 operating system using outright lies about the performance of open-source competitor Linux, according to Linux experts and at least one Best Buy employee who has seen the alleged Microsoft training slides."Linux does not support many common applications and online services like iTunes, Zune, Quicken, Photoshop, and Office 2007," asserts one slide in the now-leaked Microsoft ExpertZone training module designed for Best Buy employees preparing to sell Windows 7, which will be released in October. Another slide calls the statement "Linux is safer than Windows," a "myth."
But when I went into my local Best Buy on Houston Street in New York on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I was informed that the chain does not carry Linux-equipped laptops or net-books. So why would Microsoft be teaching Best Buy employees to counsel customers to avoid Linux? Why indeed.
Some Linux experts are charging Microsoft with deliberately "indoctrinating" Best Buy employees to misinform the public about the relative merits of Windows 7 and Linux. Linux, they say, can do most everything Windows 7 can, and is actually cheaper and more reliable. And of course, Linux advocates point out the fact that their operating system is mostly immune to many of the bugs, spyware, and viruses that have caused so much havoc on Windows machines and servers around the world.
"This is the usual thing that Microsoft does, but they've really taken it to an extreme now," Christopher Lemire, a Houston, Texas-based computer programmer told me in a phone interview. "They're really attacking Linux this time," said Lemire, a self-avowed open-source supporter who blogged about the Microsoft slides Saturday. "They're always coming up with new tactics."
"It's just lies and indoctrination," Lemire said.
"A lot of the features that show up in Microsoft products originated in Apple or Linux products," Lemire added, pointing to tabbed browsing, which appeared in Microsoft's Internet Explorer well after Firefox and Apple's Safari. Lemire also points to applications like Skype which is "the ultimate audio and video" solution for Linux, he says.
Other pro-Linux bloggers blasted the slides as well.
"Don't believe the corporate disinformation from Redmond and the Madison Ave. advertising executives," another pro-Linux blogger at Freedom and Linux wrote Saturday. "Linux does everything Microsoft does...except get infected on a routine basis by trojans and spyware and adware and viruses."
The slides were leaked by a self-described Best Buy worker in Hamilton, Ohio, who posted them to his Photobucket account over the weekend under the handle "GodOfGrunts." I called the only Best Buy in Hamilton, but the employee who answered did not know anyone who went by that handle currently on shift. Thus, DailyFinance has not been able independently verify the authenticity of the leaked Microsoft slides. That effort is ongoing.
A spokesperson for Microsoft's Worldwide Rapid Response Team, run by PR firm Waggener Edstrom, said Microsoft was "not able to offer confirmation of the authenticity of the slides at this time."
In New York, however, Best Buy's own employees acknowledge that Windows machines are more vulnerable to viruses than Linux machines. "See, that's the thing with Linux," a Best Buy salesman, whom I will not identify in order to protect his job, told me. "With Linux, you don't have to worry about viruses and all that. With Windows, you absolutely have to get all the anti-virus software."
And yet, on the Microsoft training slides, under a section entitled "Get the facts straight," Microsoft calls the statement "Linux is safer than Windows" a "myth."
In fact, the slides must be viewed against the broader backdrop of the looming battle between Microsoft and its rivals -- including Apple and Google -- over the very future of computing itself. In essence, Microsoft is trying to prepare the battlefield for the day when Linux may present a viable threat to its stranglehold on the operating system market. That time is coming sooner than most people realize.
"Linux for consumers is coming, and Microsoft wants to delay that while they figure out what their strategy is going to be," said one Linux programmer, who was granted anonymity because he spent several years working for Microsoft, and also so as not to damage his career prospects. The programmer called much of the content in the slides "puffery" but added that right now for the average user, Microsoft's operating systems are in fact easier to manage than Linux.
"While not 100 percent true, most of the slides are mostly true right now for the average customer," he said.
In particular, Microsoft is readying its defenses against the prospect of Chrome, Google's forthcoming web-based operating system -- a platform built on top of Linux. "How many of the statements in the slides will be true when Chrome appears?" the Linux programmer asked, somewhat rhetorically.
So why is Microsoft training Best Buy employees to bad-mouth Linux? It's not about what's in the store today, it's about what's in consumers' minds when they return to the store in one year. And the last thing Microsoft wants is for consumers to consider Linux a viable alternative to Windows 7.
Maybe my salesman at Best Buy didn't get the memo.
Clarification: The second paragraph of this piece implies that Linux supports iTunes, Zune, Quicken, Photoshop, and Office 2007; while some Linux users can use those programs with the help of additional software, it is the case that Linux does not offer out-of-the-box, native support for these programs. The slide referred to in the second paragraph above is an an example of Microsoft's effort to discredit Linux, but not an example of a clear inaccuracy.
Update: Microsoft has confirmed the existence of these slides; click here for an update on the story.
Email Sam Gustin at sam.gustin@weblogsinc.com. Follow DailyFinance's tech coverage at http://www.twitter.com/DFTechNews
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
9-06-2009 @ 5:21PM
klaus said...
stop the whining!
it is true! Linux is not perfect!
the only thing interesting in Linux is that it is the ONLY OS in which one can spent 60% of class time trying to configure drivers and bugs and NOBODY makes one single joke!
talkign about 'indoctrination'? COME ON! Would you NEVER went to a university?
Linux is a fundamentalist religion!
Reply
9-06-2009 @ 9:35PM
bumpy said...
You're an obvious Microsoft astroturfer - you have all the buzzwords - and you need to learn the English language.
9-07-2009 @ 6:20AM
DeadLetter said...
"the only thing interesting in Linux is that it is the ONLY OS in which one can spent 60% of class time trying to configure drivers and bugs and NOBODY makes one single joke!"
when did I have to do that, it was already done? Do your research before you even speak.
9-07-2009 @ 2:20PM
JM said...
This is all a little absurd, Microsoft is doing nothing wrong. Just training sales people before a new product launch and addressing a competitor.
Best Buy employees will be trained in the same type of crap from a number of companies (ie. Panasonic will tell them that the Sony TV doesn't show a true black).
The only difference here is the Linux crew ("fundamentalists" as you put it .. haha) feels the need to whine incessantly about it and point out how the feel Linux is just the "awesomest" because it really IS good. Why the inferiority complex and defensiveness?
9-10-2009 @ 9:59PM
NA said...
Drivers in Linux? Yeah I've had a few minor issues, but get this - I'm trying to install Win7RC on an old pc at this moment.
First thing - up pops a msg box asking for a driver disk for the DVD burner the install dvd is running from!!!!
Win7 RC couldn't find it on the LG disk that came with the drive so I'm having to get it off my WinXP install cd.
ROTFLMAO,,,,
The olny reason I'm bothering with Win7 RC is so I can demo that Win7 will run on the machine so I can sell it. (I only have one copy of WinXP and have two old PCs I need to sell.
9-07-2009 @ 6:31PM
klaus said...
right! fundamentalist hysteria... Linux is the grail, the utopia of a lingua franca, of open-source comunity!
My experience of indoctrination in universities is LINUX! I am tired to see lots of studentes wasting time talking more about "openess" of a software than of the quality of it! Ideology and ideologue took over completly!
Linux is bugg-fixing ;-) no innovation at all! Innovation in the industry comes from proprietary models.
How I would like to see the stamina of open-source comunity aroun the creation of a open-source search-engine! anyone?
9-09-2009 @ 10:50AM
wah322 said...
ive used linux and windows7 both extensively. win7 outperforms linux no problem. linux= bugs bugs bugs, i couldnt run half the types of programs i wanted, most of the open source applications were old and had flaws.
the win7 now runs with everything i use from gnutella to peerblockers and more. no issues whatsoever. from wifi to all kinds of different 3rd party software-it hasnt stumbled yet.
win7 whips mac's and linux's butt hands down.
9-10-2009 @ 9:56PM
ronmac said...
You apparently have not tried to use Linux... I inserted an Ubunutu 9.04 cd in my Lenovo x400 tablet and everything loaded up perfectly. It even found my ATT broadband card, tablet drivers, and video cam!!!! XP couldn't even come close to installing the drivers from the CD without additional downloads. Get out of the closet sheep!!! Think for yourself and try things once in a while... And about the article, why would I want to run Office with there is a better product, OpenOffice. I love the plugin that allows you to edit .pdf files. Scratch your little M$ heads over accomplishing that on Office.
9-07-2009 @ 11:23AM
Nick said...
I'm writing this message on a nice Linux laptop. Eat it Micro$oft.
Reply
9-06-2009 @ 9:05PM
Eruaran said...
@ klaus:
Did you even bother to look at the screenshots ? Obviously not. Do you know anything at all about modern Linux distributions ? Obviously not.
I find your comment about drivers and bugs amusing since those are problems common to Windows. As well as viruses and spyware rendering peoples computers, not so useful.
It is also amusing that while you're doing a bit of shilling you talk of Linux as a, "fundamentalist religion", sorry mate but GNU/Linux is an operating system. But since you raised the issue I find it fascinating that you jump so quickly on such catch phrases without any real justification or a sense of irony.
If I want to I can point to the misinformation in Microsoft's ExpertZone "training" and call Microsoft a bunch of fundamentalist zealots who behave more like Scientologists than just another corporation. Zealots who in their own internal correspondence use words like "Jihad" to describe their actions against competition they perceive as a threat.
And again, its obvious they don't mind lying and getting Best Buy employees to mislead their customers. So you have to wonder about the ethics of such a corporation. Its one thing to have promotions, arguments in favor of your product, incentives and so forth. But it is another to blatantly mislead people.
Reply
9-07-2009 @ 6:32PM
Dennis said...
Right on, I have used Ubuntu and very happy with it, extremely fast and compact. even on a 5 year old computer with a Pentium processor.
I have recently come across this Micrsosoft WGA BS and am extremely annoyed. On a company PC with "genuine" ligit copy of Office, I kept getting a notice when I opened Word that it was not a "Genuine" copy. Tried getting support from MS about and nothing useful. I read a few articles about it and how to disable it. I will never ever buy another Microsoft run PC after this WGA crap. What a bunch of Gestapo aholes Microsoft are. I hope they have enough billions to live off of for a while.
9-06-2009 @ 9:43PM
Bunny said...
Haha. I have been attacked by Linux freaks repeatedly every time I have tried to explain that Microsoft has not really started the FUD campaign before. The Linux freaks also wholeheartedly believe the Microsoft FUD of 1990 about the far far superior (still superior to every current OS in existence, even after 20 years have passed) Amiga and its Workbench OS.
Everything Linux freaks "BELIEVE" they know about the Amiga comes straight from the Microsoft playbook. The Amiga had to take this Best Buy tactic, but across the board. Every computer consultant, every distributor, every salesman. They were all coached to repeat the same lies.
And Linux fanatics today refuse to look at the way the Amiga did things t help the UI and functionality of Linux, because the Amiga was "Just a Games Machine" or "Was just a toy" or "Was not Lotus 123 compatible", or "Graphical UIs are for children" or "Multitasking is of no use, computer users can only do one thing at a time".
Just wait until Microsoft really get their negative PR machine running.
Reply
9-07-2009 @ 1:14AM
dheg said...
Just like Nick, I'm reading/writing this on my linux laptop. I love it. I dumped Windows quite a while ago for my home machines. I gave Vista a chance, but it was trash. I don't care how good W7 is, I won't use. I have so many purchased licenses of Windows (going way back to Windows 3.1) and they are are useless - including the Vista licenses. I had to donate to MS every time I changed computers. No more. I've run a variety of linux flavors. Ubuntu is really nice, but I got tired of the every 6 month upgrades. I'm running OpenSUSE now and I really like it. All of my linux machines have been screamers, comparatively speaking. So if you really want to keep donating to MS - well, good luck with that.
Reply
9-08-2009 @ 2:04AM
777elky said...
though, i wonder if what would happen if ms. would offer a new pc that has no bugs, spywares, virsuses from their new pc. i wonder how much people would buy that product. after all, with today's type of securities, alot of poeple have pick up the fear of crimes that have envolved in this world. like; i.d. theif, invasion of privacy, and personal information being monitored buy a third party whom at time u don't know. what if u had first invention from an idea, and you shared it with close friends or relatives. and someone pick it up by hacking into ur pc. it could be millions of dollars to u. i jus wonder what ms is so afraid of.
10-14-2009 @ 6:53PM
Mikko said...
>trying to configure drivers and bugs
didn't have to do that when i installed drivers for my brother printer with scanner and i've never seen someone configuring bugs maybe it's something that you microsofties do all the time :)
Reply
9-07-2009 @ 6:26AM
Tigra 07 said...
I've always been a Microsoft customer but with all the spyware and viruses and random errors i may try linux when i replace my laptop, if nothing else just to get some perspective on both
Can anyone recommend?
Reply
9-07-2009 @ 8:28AM
LD said...
I would suggest either Ubuntu or Mandriva (my personal preference is Mandriva) both are excellent distributions and are really easy to install. Ubuntu has more software support by developers (software packaged specifically for Ubuntu, and Mandriva has excellent control panel tools, the best I have seen in linux. I would suggest you go to distrowatch.com and read about the different flavors of Linux and download a few to try out. most are super easy to install and usually will give you a completely configured and functioning OS.
9-07-2009 @ 8:45AM
Zek said...
Best bet for a fully working, out of the box, Newb friendly Linux distro would be Mint. But if you like a little challenge, and to learn a little more about Linux, head for Ubuntu. Repositories for software seem to be always a little further ahead for updates.
Don't forget to search the net for things like "10 things to do" after install of your preferred distro. Plenty of well written guides to make your linux birth complication free.. and make your new OS do those little things Windows won't.. you can have the best of both worlds ;)
Gave up on MS after Vista sucked balls, the spyware and virus issues couldn't resolved, and the corporation seemed to lack any imagination and started to 'borrow' from Apple and Linux for its UI and nav. Bye bye Bill
9-07-2009 @ 5:00PM
Keith Porter said...
Linux Mint, IMHO, the best Linux distro for a newbie. It's Ubuntu with some nice added touches...
9-07-2009 @ 6:31PM
Bunny said...
@ Zek
I believe Zero Punctuation said it best recently referring to people who don't remember the Amiga, "I don't suppose you 'Embryos' would remember those times?".
Simply stated Microsoft NEVER invented new UI. They spent the first 15 years copying UI from the Amiga, BBC Micro Risc OS, Suns Solaris, HP-UX, SGI UNIX System V, IBM OS2 and BeOS.
For the past decade, Apple has been blatantly ripping off UI and tools from the Amiga for use in OSX. Apple have been doing a very poor job of this. So by copying Apple, Microsoft are still copying the Amiga by default.
Strange how all the Microsoft fanatics of the early 90's who claimed that no one could ever use multitasking, a colour WIMP interface, games, and 50 other advanced features (that WERE NOT invented by Apple), all seem to find those features essential today.