Microsoft skewing Vista reports with free notebooks?
updated 01:20 pm EST, Wed December 27, 2006
Microsoft Free Notebooks
Microsoft may be attempting to steer the initial reaction to Windows Vista's imminent launch by providing some of the most influential bloggers with free portables, according to reports by Scott Beale and other recipients. Each system is a top-end model in Acer's flagship Ferrari line and varies from the ultraportable Ferrari 1000 (pictured) to the mid-range Ferrari 5000. The custom-configured systems, however, are said to ship with preinstalled copies of Windows Vista Ultimate -- the premium edition of Microsoft's as yet unreleased operating system. The exact criteria used to determine who receives a system has not yet been determined but is likely to include those Microsoft believes would be most likely to convert otherwise hesitant users.
"It could be that they are reaching out to bloggers who are Mac users," says Beale. "Or it might just be that people I know who work for Microsoft or other influential bloggers recommended me."
While Microsoft has taken great steps to promise bloggers that it does not expect positive reports, recipient Long Zheng claims, the tactic has provoked criticism from technology luminaries who accuse the Redmond-based company of generating artificial word-of-mouth press for Vista by encouraging related news articles. "Now THAT is my idea of PayPerPost," writes former Microsoft evangelist Robert Scoble.
Similar attention has recently been given to the company's Zune Masters program, which provides a free music player to those that agree to promote the Zune to friends.
Bribery
12/27, 05:24pm reply
The question is how do you justify accepting this bribe from Microsoft? Or if Apple gave you a Mac on the other side.
Every word written is now suspect. And unreliable. I for one wouldn't listen to one review or opinion published.
Unbelievable.
mozart11
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Simply delete Vista...
12/27, 06:22pm reply
I would simply erase Vista from this machine and install Mac OS X (albeit illegally) using instructions from those hack sites. That way, I can blog away from my new shiny Ferrari without losing too much credibility. Additional benefit would be not having to use MS software, of course...
vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Acer!!
12/27, 07:09pm reply
They got ACER to do a FERRARI notebook! retards
suhail
Senior User
Joined: Nov 1999
So?
12/27, 10:28pm reply
Does anyone really care what some random "blogger" writes?? Heck, do people follow the drivel from most "bloggers"?
I know I read blogs just for good laughs, not hard hitting news or commentary.
itguy05
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Nonsense.
12/28, 03:35am reply
Mozart: As though MacAddict weren't biased enough, Apple sends them demo machines too. Will you be so fast to question their credibility? Should they install Windows and gloat about it, just to make a point?
This is standard procedure, and exactly how word will get out about new software. Word-of-mouth is the most effective method of advertisement, just as it is the best way for "software X sucks" to make its rounds in a community.
I'll be interested to see how Beale likes it, and why.
Tack
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2006
people do read blogs.
12/28, 03:38am reply
ITGuy: Blogging is a form of journalism. There are good blogs with productive notes, and there are bad blogs. I think those who read blogs for negatively-charged "laughs" are in the minority.
So yes, it is significant.
Tack
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2006
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