Microsoft Caught Rigging ZD Net Poll

Dj writes "Microsoft have been found to be rigging a ZDNet poll". Apparently they didn't dig on the idea of .NET losing. Of course as anyone knows, never trust an online poll because this sort of stuff is obviosly happening all the time. I just wonder how many comments posted around the net are posted with the same goals in mind.

Comments

OT: Imagine...

[GunFodder]

Imagine what Windows would be like if M$ spent as much money on QA as they did on marketing!

Re:There's a shocker

[HMC CS Major]

I really hate to admit it, but really, this probably isnt truly poll fixing.

The question asked: which will you be implementing in the coming year, java , .net, both, or neither.

Now, if you worked for microsoft, especially doing anything with the next os (which obviously supports the new .net framework), the microsoft site (again, heavily implementing .net), msn, msn messenger, outlook, or other apps (yep, .net) ... then really, they're answering truthfully. ZDNet doesnt say "employees of the given companies should not vote" or "developers associated with the projects should refrain from voting", so I dont see any real problem here...

But that's just my opinion. I'll probably end up at -1 troll or -1 flamebait.

Re:What happened

[Omnifarious]

I seriously doubt that this was organized by anyone high level at MS.. probably just a salesman who thought it would be a good idea to get everyone to vote in the poll.

And the attitude and outlook required to think this was a good idea, and for lots of people within the organization to act on it is organized by people at a high level in MS. They bear culpability for the actions they encourage in their employees.

It is precisely because their top level execs encourage this kind of ethically bankrupt thinking among the rank and file that Microsoft is in the anti-trust hot water it's in today, and precisely why they're such an evil company.

ZDNet spin

[dangermouse]

The story here shouldn't be Microsoft, it should be ZDNet.

The headline should have read: Microsoft Proves ZDNet Polls Meaningless, ZDNet Worthless As Information Resource.

Instead, they're spinning it so it sounds like their poll revealed something interesting and newsworthy, namely that web services are such a Big Deal that Microsoft is willing to rig polls to increase their market share. I call bullshit; the utter worthlessness of their polls was revealed, and strong doubt should be cast on the validity of any information that comes out of a publisher that doesn't immediately dismiss such poll results and either seriously alter or cease altogether their polling activity. ZDNet isn't doing this; they're sidestepping instead, and trying to save face by masquerading this as intrepid reporting that provides some new insight.

My bet is that if the sudden reversal wasn't so blatantly obvious to the readers, we would never have heard a peep from ZDNet.

Re:This is a switch!

[Malcontent]

Why bother. ZDNET is nothing but a bootlicker to MS anyways.