On last.fm: Interview with the mini mall rap guy!
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet

September 9th, 2009

Microsoft trains Best Buy "Linux assassins"

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 4:12 am

Categories: Linux, Microsoft

Tags: Best Buy Co. Inc., Microsoft Corp., Linux, UNIX, Operating Systems, Open Source, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

A whistle-blower over on Overclock.net has posted details of how Best Buy staff are trained to counter buyers’ interest in the Linux operating system.

A forum member identifying themselves as GodofGrunts posted a series of screenshots from the “Linux vs Windows 7″ module of Microsoft’s ExpertZone training package.

As I worked my way through the screenshots I was disturbed by the increasing amounts of FUD that was being used under the guise of “information” to discredit Linux.

Next –>

Pages: 1 2

Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

Want to get in touch? Got a tip? Feel free to drop me a note! I ALWAYS respect anonymity. I'm also on Twitter (@the_pc_doc)

Right to Reply: Should any industry representatives wish to comment on any posts on Hardware 2.0, I will be happy to publish their reply verbatim on this blog.

Subscribe to Hardware 2.0 via Email alerts or RSS.

  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 159 Talkback(s)
Just Fact
Whether you're talking Linux or Mac, the fact remains that for the average consumer, the market place provides the consumer significant choice for software and hardware for windows.

Just ask th... (Read the rest)
Posted by: GeiselS@... Posted on: 10/24/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
it's about netbook  s_souche | 09/09/09
There is unfortunately  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Limited software choices?  storm14k | 09/09/09
Vast difference in magnitude  gnesterenko | 10/02/09
Fighting FUD with FUD?  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Stop drinking the bong water...  jasonp@... | 09/09/09
I wouldn't say linux was designed for the server  s_souche | 09/09/09
No such thing as "desktop market"  IT_User | 09/09/09
Perhaps  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Um, have you actually *USED* it?  Macintoshtoffy | 09/12/09
It fits on our desktops  Chad_z | 09/10/09
you are so right  Quebec-french | 09/09/09
Thats not what I meant  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
He knew what you meant  GuidingLight | 09/09/09
Oooh....so close...except you forgot....  mgp3 | 09/09/09
Linux can-not beat MS,  Karusai | 09/09/09
No one is trying to make you use Linux.  Henry Miller | 09/09/09
"Linux has been the same thing since 1998"  CounterEthicsCommissioner-23034636492738337469105860790963 | 09/09/09
Just remember who  Viva la crank dodo | 09/09/09
I have tried various flavors  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Really? You certainly can cook up a better story than that...  JT82 | 09/09/09
It was trying to tell you ReiserFS...  bjbrock | 09/09/09
I'll remember that next time.  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
FUD is one thing...  UsernameRequired | 09/09/09
It's not illegal.  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
That's based on what?  UsernameRequired | 09/09/09
And, yet, how do you know it is illegal?  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Does MS own Best Buy?  JM1981 | 09/09/09
MSFT assumes money talks, integrity walks  Mohave Skye | 09/10/09
Huh  JasonJD48 | 09/10/09
It's Not Illegal...  DannyO_0x98 | 09/09/09
You can always tell somone...  storm14k | 09/09/09
I run them side by side...  bjbrock | 09/09/09
But, alas, I have  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Sorry to hear about your bad experiences.  CounterEthicsCommissioner-23034636492738337469105860790963 | 09/09/09
And guess what....  storm14k | 09/09/09
Thank you  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Not so fast.  MStalnecker | 09/09/09
Marty,  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
1337?  djchandler | 09/09/09
because  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Does not this show that  nilotpal_c | 09/09/09
I'm so tired of these OS wars. Microsoft should just make a better product.  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 09/10/09
I'm tired too  JasonJD48 | 09/10/09
Yeah, but sadly Microsoft has it's pushers to validate why you pay for them  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 09/12/09
The price of buying from OEMs  JasonJD48 | 09/13/09
Aimed at the uninformed customers  pjotr123 | 09/09/09
Marketing lies surprise you?  JonathonDoe | 09/09/09
Just watch an Apple commercial ....  ShadeTree | 09/09/09
From what I see, this is for Netbooks  CPavlidis | 09/09/09
And there you have it.  D. T. Schmitz | 09/09/09
Honestly  gotamd@... | 09/09/09
Shows that MS is running scared. They understand that even 5% Linux is a  DonnieBoy | 09/09/09
5%? In your dreams maybe.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
Well, Microsoft wants it to be a dream, that is the reason for these  DonnieBoy | 09/09/09
FSF Windows 7 sins  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
I think  Viva la crank dodo | 09/09/09
I agree 100%  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
Sad, really...  NetArch. | 09/09/09
All ready been done, by many.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
So what's the fuss about?  bored_with_the_same_old_moaning | 09/09/09
What's the difference?  David Blomstrom | 09/09/09
Well, at least the liars would lose their jobs  Ole Man | 09/16/09
I find it sad that MS went to this level..  JT82 | 09/09/09
I agree, almost as bad as FSF doing it.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
Yep they both are spreading lies and half-truths.  JT82 | 09/09/09
Could not agree more!!!  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
for example....  shis-ka-bob | 09/09/09
Do a search here, its been hashed to death.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
For all of those that throw...  UsernameRequired | 09/09/09
How do you figure that?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
I don't think it is either  Michael Kelly | 09/09/09
Fully agree... And  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
You're kidding, right?  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
So who cares? Do you really believe Apple  GuidingLight | 09/09/09
What has this got to do with Apple?  UsernameRequired | 09/09/09
Because it's Microsoft.  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
No argument here...  David Blomstrom | 09/09/09
Godwin's law  rtk | 09/09/09
Nice try - not  David Blomstrom | 09/09/09
Bitte...  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Well unlike providing information on the product  JM1981 | 09/09/09
Be sued? On what legal standing?  JT82 | 09/09/09
You mean like FSF and "Windows 7 Sins".  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
RE: Microsoft trains Best Buy  dmenglert@... | 09/09/09
This isn't explaining the capabilities of Windows  JM1981 | 09/09/09
Repeating the same thing ad nauseam..  JT82 | 09/09/09
True, just like FSF and "Windows 7 Sins"  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
no authorized support on linux? LOL  pard | 09/09/09
the DOJ should investigate M$  Linux Geek | 09/09/09
Buwahahaha, another that is without a clue  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
sadly as always we are witnessing  Quebec-french | 09/09/09
Companies and competitors come and go  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
sorry your wrong here  Ceridan | 09/09/09
RE: Microsoft trains Best Buy  UsernameRequired | 09/09/09
Exactly... MS and Best Buy should  JM1981 | 09/09/09
That would be affecting consumer choice..but not really  JT82 | 09/09/09
They don't, but...  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Hey by all means use what works for you..  JT82 | 09/09/09
Not at all.  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Thats quite an odd assertion..  JT82 | 09/09/09
Me too  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Well some are just more misinformed than others...  JT82 | 09/09/09
@JT  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
When a company tells a reseller to tell the customer  JM1981 | 09/09/09
AHHHH yes....the magic of upselling and selling  JT82 | 09/09/09
You mean like the FSF did  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
The truth of the matter  Nesosssin | 09/09/09
What incentives are they offering?  JT82 | 09/09/09
What proof?  JasonJD48 | 09/09/09
It quite possibly could be anti-...  rlorenz | 09/09/09
Really only matters for new users.  bjbrock | 09/09/09
Um Yes on the new users..but id have to disagree on..  JT82 | 09/09/09
Depends on their skill level.  bjbrock | 09/09/09
Ok ..I'll buy that..  JT82 | 09/09/09
Who Supplies the training?  HooNoze | 09/09/09
RE: Who Supplies the training?  Nesosssin | 09/09/09
FUD... or something similar.  Ceridan | 09/09/09
3 way FUD wrestling  Lester Young | 09/09/09
Microsoft = FUD Champion  David Blomstrom | 09/09/09
Typical marketing  bigsibling | 09/09/09
RE: Microsoft trains Best Buy  super_J | 09/09/09
FACT!  Tim Patterson | 09/09/09
Yep  JasonJD48 | 09/09/09
Not a single FACT in your post.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
Well...  zkiwi | 09/09/09
If it were true I would support the claim.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/09/09
yes, and according to you it was fact that...  zkiwi | 09/13/09
I call BS.  James T. Kirk | 09/09/09
Calling B-BS  TripleII | 09/09/09
Exactly  Tim Patterson | 09/09/09
Really Linux?  Peter Perry | 09/10/09
How about the "average user"?  Ole Man | 09/11/09
Yeah, look at the sources.  rtk | 09/11/09
Credibility?  Ole Man | 09/11/09
The fact that they feel compelled to do so...  TripleII | 09/09/09
RE: Microsoft trains Best Buy  Linux User 147560 | 09/09/09
It just doesn't offer  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Bill Gates' Legacy  David Blomstrom | 09/09/09
Microsoft lacks a competent product and needs to bash the fringe competitor  HypnoToad72 | 09/09/09
Do You Guys Even Realize What This is Aimed At?  Peter Perry | 09/10/09
All the "locking up" is/was NOT Linux specefic  Ole Man | 09/11/09
But, it's pointless.  Crenshinibon | 09/09/09
Living in a state of denial  tonymcs@... | 09/09/09
*sigh*  NStalnecker | 09/09/09
Aaaaannd.............  Ole Man | 09/10/09
Linux is Free !  jpr75_z | 09/09/09
Hurts don't it?  photomstr@... | 09/11/09
Q: How do you know when  donniebnyc@... | 09/11/09
Sales training!?? OMG!!!  s_southern | 09/11/09
Uhhh... Is Best Buy OWNED by Microsoft?  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 09/11/09
Nope, which kills your argument  rtk | 09/11/09
What?  NStalnecker | 09/14/09
FUD  gnesterenko | 10/02/09
Well, seeing as you haven't noticed...  zkiwi | 09/13/09
RE: Microsoft trains Best Buy  calythom | 09/12/09
Of course not!  Ole Man | 09/12/09
And yet...  zkiwi | 09/13/09
Just Fact  GeiselS@... | 10/24/09

What do you think?

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

Click Here
advertisement

Recent Entries

advertisement

Archives

ZDNet Blogs

White Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

Enterprise Applications

  • Check out some of the easiest and most powerful ways to boost productivity while saving money on your application infrastructure. See ZDNet's comprehensive Enterprise Application resource center, now!
  • New Online Dashboard
  • Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost effective solutions to real life IT problems. Oracle Topline