April 9th, 2005
How to spin statistics
Info-Tech Research Group reports Microsoft could lose as much as 10% of its mid-sized business customers?to Linux, in its best markets, over just the next three years.
Sounds really bad for Microsoft, doesn’t it?
That’s not how the story was reported. Linux Fails in Small Business Market was one headline. Here’s?how another story opened:?
Very few midsize companies are expected to deploy Linux over the next three years, opting to stick with Microsoft Corp.’s Windows to avoid the high cost of maintaining information technology systems running on two separate platforms, a research firm said Tuesday.
Same facts, different spin.
The lesson is be careful drawing meaning from statistics. Look inside numbers before accepting a conclusion. If you can see another way to interpret the facts, ask whether that interpretation might be valid.
This is an old lesson in politics, and in political reporting.
As the business of choosing an operating environment becomes increasingly political, it’s a lesson we need to remember in business as well. You don’t want to get spun with your money.
Do you think these business decisions are becoming more political, or is there still a place for solid business thinking? Let us know in TalkBack.
Dana Blankenhorn has been a business journalist for 30 years, a tech freelancer since 1983. You can follow Dana on Twitter. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
Subscribe to Linux and Open Source via Email alerts or RSS.
