Microsoft + Best Buy = Anti-Linux Campaign - True or False?
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Yesterday I read an article stating that Microsoft was conducting an anti-Linux campaign at Best Buy. The article, which was based on what is alleged to be a post from a Best Buy employee, shows screen shots of the campaign. The allegations are that if Best Buy employees took the training they would be rewarded with a copy of Windows 7 for only $10. Here is the original post from the Best Buy employee.
Sounds great since the employee stated he wanted the copy of Windows 7 to sell and make a few bucks. But what I found difficult to understand is why? Why Microsoft would train Best Buy employees about the horrors of Linux, when Best buy doesn’t offer any Linux systems for sale?
The article went on to state:
The claims also overstate incompatibility and support on Linux, suggesting that “few” devices are supported, that features like video chat don’t work, and that there are no official help solutions for it. Linux does have reduced support but still supports common devices, including through apps that can recognize iPods. Third-party apps like Pidgin provide support for video and other chat features, and certain Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Red Hat often provide official support.
For Windows-only apps, Linux has had access to WINE for free virtualization of some titles, including 3D games.
Microsoft has been asked about the memos but has neither confirmed nor denied their legitimacy. However, the material is both consistent with Microsoft’s visual style as well as its frequent attempts to discredit Linux as a threat, which in the past have involved paid-for studies that allegedly show Windows as superior to Linux for servers.
Yesterday I was out and about with my wife and we stopped into a local Best Buy store. I went to the computer department and specifically asked the sale person that I wanted to purchase a computer with Linux preinstalled. She told me that there currently weren’t any being offered at the store.
So I went online to the Best Buy site and wasn’t able to locate any systems with Linux.
So is Microsoft carrying on a anti-Linux campaign at Best Buy? You decide.
Comments welcome.
9 Comments
Jeff
September 8th, 2009
at 9:01am
Its a training website designed for anyone working in any retail location that sells Microsoft products. Its a special website designed by MS to promote its products.
Most vendors have these sites, and they are all the same. In all fairness, it wouldn’t be in their best interest to call their products second best.
Matt Hartley
September 8th, 2009
at 11:37am
To keep things from going all cloak and dagger, let’s look at this logically.
1) Windows software = cash money for Best Buy.
2) PC repair calls due to malware issues = cash money for Best Buy.
As Best Buy lacks trained Linux admins to help with any specific Linux challenges such as an update gone wrong, GRUB error or other issues, Best Buy has no vested interest in promoting something that is not making the mothership money. And this also does wonderful things in the Microsoft corner as well.
Ron Schenone
September 8th, 2009
at 12:00pm
Thanks for the info and comments.
Ralph Rainwater
September 8th, 2009
at 6:07pm
More specifically, that particular training is Microsoft’s effort to remain competitive in the netbook category. By emphasizing familiarity, a quick learning curve, and low system requirements with Windows 7 Starter, Microsoft is simply trying to keep a strong position in this lucrative new market.
Why wouldn’t they? And this training is not specific to Best Buy. This is Microsoft’s training website for retailers who sell their products. Hewlett-Packard, AMD, Intel, Canon, Epson, and so on all have such sites. Oddly enough, not one of those training sites ever recommends a competitor’s products as superior to their own.
Kelly Williams
September 9th, 2009
at 8:53am
Sorry when XP dies off I switching to linux. I sick of using Vista on my desktop and then using prefect Windows XP that is stable and that runs great. And from what I herd about windows 7 you have to have a very good system to run it. sorry my 4 yr old laptop runs good as the day as I bought it . So Microsoft your going to be losing a customer..
f
September 9th, 2009
at 9:30am
Of corse they will do that. Not suprised, as thats how they act. They are doing this because suing lunux for copyright infringment didnt work. Ubuntu has for more native suport that windows could ever dream of. Less chance of virus+really old hardware= web computer.
I think this is to discourage them from selling linux stuff. Microsoft is going to get its rear kicked when the goverment fines them for couble billion for antitrust.
They want to do this if some guy takes in his lunux netbook in for geek squad. They will try to cinvice them they should drop 200$ on something that will never work well on his netbook.
Reminds me what intel was doing to amd.
Kevin Jones
September 10th, 2009
at 10:52am
I find it hard to believe that if Best Buy saw any chance at a profit they would pass it up. They are more geared towards the average customer, anyone beyond that would tend to go direct for their computer programs and the like rather than go through Best Buy. It is cheaper for the consumer in the long-run. If the market shifted and Best Buy would make money dealing in Linux or Ubuntu or whatever, I’m sure they will.
And that may not be too far down the road either. As the general population grows more and more savoy with computers and tech, Microsoft’s grip on the industry will continue to slip.
Pat
September 11th, 2009
at 8:49pm
Windows runs far more commercial software than Linux, with Mac OSX in second place.
Linux is useful on servers, and runs applications designed to run on Linux.
Why not use both operating systems as appropriate? Neither OS is going away anytime soon. Same with Mac OSX.
Of course, retailers will sell whatever hardware and OS their customers demand.
buy mp3 player
September 29th, 2009
at 1:36am
Linux still the best open source, no matter Microsoft will do anything I think not ant effect.