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A Ruse by Any Other Nameby Norman Moore As their business practices come under fire on several fronts, we can expect to see the Microsoft PR machine do whatever it can in an effort sway public opinion. One of the tactics we're likely to see more of is what I call the "pseudo-grass roots" campaign, in which Microsoft instructs companies they have some degree of control over to act as shills on their behalf (not at all unlike the phoney "write-in" campaign uncovered by the Los Angeles Times a few months ago). The point of this type of campaign is to try to create the perception of wide support for the Microsoft way of conducting business. But make no mistake -- their message comes straight from Redmond. The latest group to come under the above category calls themselves the "Technology Access Action Coalition" (TAAC). But don't let the fancy name fool you, because if you look hard enough you could see Gates' lips move whenever they issue a press release. There's nothing "grass roots" about this group -- the companies are either partly owned by Microsoft (Vanstar Corp) or highly dependent on them in some way. (see...) What does this have to do with boycotting Microsoft? Everything. You can't successfully fight a company like Microsoft while ignoring the hired muscle. This group and the companies they represent are nothing but a Microsoft front, and if we are to get anywhere by boycotting Microsoft we're going to have to also include their extensions. These companies have drawn a line in the sand and stepped across to the Microsoft side, and although it's their right to do so, it's also our right to treat them accordingly. Let them say what they like, but I believe it's time we forced them to put their money where their mouth is by including their companies in our boycott. The following companies are TAAC members:
Published: 30 August 1998. Revised: 2 September 1998 |
In the final analysis, Bill Gates' legacy will be money, not ideas. Contrary to Net paranoia, Gates isn't evil, just typical: another mogul run amok, ultimately reined in by his own arrogance -- and the ferociously independent and resilient culture he came so close to conquering.
JON KATZ, San Jose Mercury-News
Microsoft has sold just about every IT manager out there on Windows NT. Like a drug dealer who has a large and profitable clientele, Microsoft is hooked on making big money and hooked on their own poison called the Windows OS.
JOHN MARTELLARO, Macopinion.com
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