Microsoft and Best Buy work together to spread FUD

I found this very interesting article about Best Buy’s training program. The RetailAccess program (sponsored by Intel) and the ExpertZone training program (sponsored by Microsoft) provide readings about the newly-released and upcoming technologies. Every employee at the tech bench (now called the Geek Squad) had to read these articles and take quizzes over their content in order to keep their jobs. Interestingly, a new article in ExpertZone compared Windows with Linux. However, instead of an objective comparison, Microsoft continued their trend of spreading fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) in a desperate attempt to maintain their market share. Some of the flat-out lies that they mentioned were 1) that Linux doesn’t support cameras, or portable media devices very well, 2) that we don’t have any way to play Windows-based games, and 3) that video chat isn’t possible. There were many more, including my personal favourite that Linux is too difficult to learn.

Don’t take my word for it though, check out the full article by Steven Vaugh-Nichols of Computer World, complete with screenshots of the “quizzes.”

|:| Zach |:|