Microsoft's New Motto: Don't Be Evil Anymore

from the plus-some-disclaimers dept

Microsoft has a reputation for adding a lot of extra info to their packaging. If you haven't seen it, the video of how Microsoft would redesign the iPod box is fun to watch (it was actually created for internal use at Microsoft to make them aware of this issue). Some are noting that Microsoft has now rejiggered the company's corporate philosophy so that it sounds an awful lot like Google's famed "Don't Be Evil." Except, when you read the actual text, you realize it's a lot wordier, and the point isn't nearly as clear as Google's. One of the more amazing things about Google's motto isn't necessarily how it guides the company -- but how its very simplicity has helped get others to keep the company in line. The motto was made public and it's obviously quite well known by plenty of outsiders -- and those outsiders react (often loudly) whenever Google does something that they consider "evil." In fact, one ex-Googler believes Google chose to publicize the slogan as a way to set a impossibly high bar to force employees to pay serious attention to it. Microsoft's "As creators of an operating system used so widely around the world, we recognize that we have a special responsibility, both to advance innovation and to help preserve competition in the information technology industry. We take this responsibility very seriously" doesn't have quite the same impact...
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  • identicon
    Shawn, 21 Jul 2006 @ 2:42am

    So unoriginal, indeed...

    And i doubt it will work. Google could make it happen, because they always seemed to be a much more down to earth company. Microsoft would probably ignore this new philosophy until it disappears. They just put it out there to sound good for the moment, maybe until the Vista release. Then it'll be forgotten.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Is this important, 21 Jul 2006 @ 4:12am

    Speaking of Vista has annyone tryed the beta? I heard it s*cks royal d*cks

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      teKuru, 21 Jul 2006 @ 4:43am

      Re:

      I've been running Vista builds for some time now, and I agree, once they passed the 4015 build things were slow, clunky, and generally unusable. However, if you read (or "heard") any of the reviews of the latest two builds, you would know that things are looking up for Vista. b5472 has been extremely fast for me, and I am not just saying that because I am a tester, it is the first build that I have been able to install every application that I normally use, and I can use them quickly and relibly. I am finally starting to get excited about Vista again...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Vista Doesn't suck anything, 21 Jul 2006 @ 7:32am

      Re:

      Quoting Is this important:

      "Speaking of Vista has annyone tryed the beta? I heard it s*cks royal d*cks"

      Funny how people who haven't tried something comment. Vista works fine and right now I'm responding to your ignorant post while using it.

      Personally I can't wait for it's release, by the way ignorant one, Office 2007 doesn't suck either.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 21 Jul 2006 @ 8:49am

        Re: Re:

        The dude simply asked a question. Answer it for Christ sake. What's the point in insulting someone for asking?

        Why do half the jackass techies out there think their so damn special that they have to shit on people simply because they don't go out and beta-test every piece of new software.

        Grow up and teach somebody something instead of tearing them down - or are you people too afraid you actually don't have anything to offer?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Pingmaster, 21 Jul 2006 @ 10:26am

        Re: Re:

        I've been running the beta for a month or so now, and ever since the last batch of updates went through the performance has been amazing. There are still a couple of kinks to work out, but that's why it's in beta. I've actually seen better framerates at equal or higher detail/resolution in some games than I have on my XP boot..

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    ted, 21 Jul 2006 @ 4:26am

    Microsoft: don't be evil anymore

    Does anyone really think they'll be evil any less?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Haywood, 21 Jul 2006 @ 4:52am

    They could start by withdrawing WGA

    I've seen perfectly legit owners experience ruined by that incessant update alert, for which there is no cure unless you technically savvy, not even telling it go ahead and update. That just lets it loop through an extensive download and almost install process. Then it says unable to update and it goes back to dominating you lower left screen with it's stupid pop-up telling you you must update. ~infinity~

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Jul 2006 @ 5:34am

      Re: They could start by withdrawing WGA

      The only people who had problesm with WGA were institutions and businesses, and I would expect most if not all to have someone on staff to handle it. It's really easy.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Haywood, 21 Jul 2006 @ 7:48am

        Re: Re: They could start by withdrawing WGA

        "The only people who had problems with WGA were institutions and businesses"
        To that may I say? BULL SHIT!!
        A case in point; Dell desktop delivered with XPhome sp1 constantly reminding the user that sp1 support is expiring, no way to turn it off or download sp2 successfully. She is getting pissed and I don't blame her. She isn't a tech, all she wants to do is surf and play solitaire, but he damned thing won't let her alone. I could and probably will crowbar it out, but why should she be constantly harassed on a machine she paid for and is contented with otherwise.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Is this important, 21 Jul 2006 @ 5:27am

    My friend says the search does not work on old files for some strange reason. And it's a lot harder to troubleshoot pppoe connections. there are no error codes or progress indicator when you connect. I just have a bad feeling about this

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Just Me, 21 Jul 2006 @ 5:37am

    Nothing can change so easily

    Glad that the EU has taken a solid stand against MS. In a way, they made them rethink their approach to their customers as well as their competitors. I believe that the EU has played a major part in this.

    In the EU, many public run organisations have decided to switch to Linux due in part to the cost of MS products, and on the other part, due to its weak security.

    Although Vista is still beta stages, and a lot of new features might be droped, changed, or even added, some experts have already found bugs in Vista, read this article. Although MS claims that Vista is the most secure OS they have ever created, personally, I am going to stick to what I am using at the moment, Fedora Core 4, it is doing a great job, and never had any security issues, or lost any data.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Jul 2006 @ 6:07am

      Re: Nothing can change so easily

      I've been using Windows XP since it came out and 2000 before that and I've never had security issues or lost data either. Maybe it's just a matter of knowing what you're doing?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Jul 2006 @ 7:44am

      Re: Nothing can change so easily

      I trust symantec to be evenhanded in their appraisal of microsoft's security.

      Lets look at their excellent criticisms.
      * the ip stack is new and might be buggy
      * ipv6 tunneling which can bypass firewalls (this does actually seem like a bad policy, and I will be turning it off, but its not a BUG)
      * enhanced peer to peer connectivity which will maybe promote the user of peer to peer apps (hardly likely) which is where trojans are distributed

      I can now conclude that you are a propaganda linking spam robot, since you have no brain and are spamming links to propaganda. Have a nice day.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Scott, 21 Jul 2006 @ 8:59am

      Re: Nothing can change so easily

      The EU did this? Yeah right, how? They want a version of windows without MediaPlayer. What a heavy hand to lay upon MS.....

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    CDQZ, 21 Jul 2006 @ 5:45am

    Bugs in Beta SW ??? No way

    So your complaining that Beta SW has bugs ?? hmmm not even gonna say it

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Ben, 21 Jul 2006 @ 7:50am

      Re: Bugs in Beta SW ??? No way

      Ok, if you won't say it I will. ITS A FREAKING BETA! There are going to be bugs in every beta, Hence the term. It hasn't been released to the public for Commercial distrabution because... yeah, you guessed it, its a beta. If there were no bugs why would they be wasting time and money instead of just selling it? Jeez.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    sesmith2k, 21 Jul 2006 @ 6:19am

    Vista/XP vs. Linux

    In general Llinux users are more technically advanced than windows users. This alone could account for the percieved "security" of Linux. I am a software developer, therefore, pretty technically savvy and I have never lost, data nor had any security issues with Windows XP.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Jul 2006 @ 6:33am

      Re: Vista/XP vs. Linux

      Actually, the security of Linux comes from the fact that it has a good separation of userland and system. The point with linux isn't that experienced users know how not to trash their machines - it's that even idiots can't take down more than their own files.

      The problem with Windows is that you have to work hard to make it secure, especially for multiple users. IE is tied into the kernel (great idea). Accounts are created with full permissions by default. 3rd party software can't even be installed, often as not, by a non-admin user.

      Oh, and by the way - you haven't had any security issues that you know of...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 21 Jul 2006 @ 7:38am

        Re: Re: Vista/XP vs. Linux

        IE isn't in the kernel. You can rightfully accuse windows of putting a bunch of stupid stuff in the kernel but IE isnt. Explain to me how my x64 system has a 32bit IE and a 64bit IE? Quit being a parrot.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    chris (profile), 21 Jul 2006 @ 7:29am

    microsoft being "not evil" is like...

    asking microsoft to stop being evil is like asking me to stop being handsome... it's just not going to happen.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Vista Doesn't suck anything, 21 Jul 2006 @ 7:41am

    Get the beta stupid, or shut up

    Quoting the ignorant one again:
    "My friend says the search does not work on old files for some strange reason. And it's a lot harder to troubleshoot pppoe connections. there are no error codes or progress indicator when you connect. I just have a bad feeling about this"

    My friend says how about actually trying the software before opening your mouth or in this case your keyboard. Network and Internet connections are actually easier to troubleshoot.

    The thing I would like imporved and I've commented on it in their Vista Beta Blog site is that their network browser should see any computer on the same network or workgroup, not just other Vista machines.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Paul Allen, 21 Jul 2006 @ 7:45am

    I prefer the slogan

    Crush the competition....


    All Hail Supreme Leader William Gates

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    TacoJim, 21 Jul 2006 @ 7:53am

    All your MACS are belong to to MS now!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Big Huge Dave, 21 Jul 2006 @ 8:02am

    Why do you all think MS is evil?

    I don't get it, why are they so evil? Because they compete to win? Because they try to crush the competition and be more successful than everyone else?

    That's what competition is about. Too bad so sad for companies that can't compete with them, that's their fault, not Microsoft's. If RealPlayer can't compete with Microsoft then too bad. If an alternate browser can't compete, too bad, they're not in the right line of business.

    I don't think it's evil to try and be the best, and to defeat your competition.

    It seems okay to compete as long as you don't win by leaps and bounds. It seems whoever is "on top" will be the company that people hate and governments attack.

    If you don't like MS then don't use them. But quit trying to sue them for everything they do just becuase they want to package stuff in their OS.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Jul 2006 @ 8:14am

      Re: Why do you all think MS is evil?

      Ubiquity has value. Some of Microsoft's products might be incomparably better than 3rd party products simply due to being part of windows.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Mark, 21 Jul 2006 @ 8:36am

      Re: Why do you all think MS is evil?

      Competition is one thing, but breaking the laws of my country, the United States, is another. Microsoft has been convicted of antitrust violations, which, for many observers, puts them in a league not with honest competition, but in the league of winning at any cost.

      If a man is comfortable with winning at any cost, that is his choice. However, for those who believe in fair play and basic ethics, because our survival depends on it, Microsoft has broken rules of society so fundamental that only the next generation of its managers can possibly be forgiven, not this one.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Jul 2006 @ 9:10am

      Re: Why do you all think MS is evil?

      In my mind, they're evil because they use anti-competitive, illegal tactics to crush the competition. Don't forget we're talking about a convicted monopolist here.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Vista Doesn't suck anything, 21 Jul 2006 @ 8:14am

    Great point Big Dave

    MS is hated and yet here we have Apple making commercials touting how the PC sucks and they rock and now they too are a PC. the 3% of the people who own these things think they are bullet proof, the truth is they are far from it.

    When a MAC crashes it's ugly, back in the day it gave a frowning face, wow, what a debugging tool that is.

    Windows has the most attacks because it's the biggest in town and in the world. It has to be all for all people and now that the PC has shown Apple how friggin slow it truley was compared to the fastest PC all MAC are belong to Intel.

    Now Intel is evil for handing Apple their collective asses and AMD is evil for handing Intel their asses.

    The list goes on....

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Dan, 21 Jul 2006 @ 8:33am

    Oh Googgle

    Now if only Google could follow it's "dont' do evil" policy. So far, they have in the U.S., but have not in China.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    The_Dock, 21 Jul 2006 @ 8:35am

    Vista...a Good Start

    I have the Vista Beta and you know what, I am generally impressed by it. I like the fact that the administrator account is buried so deep that normal (and very inexperienced) have a hard time logging in. The Pseudo-Administrator account I'll admit is a bit annoying, but at least it give you way more information about crashes than "Blue screen of death". I have yet to have my Vista crash.

    But that's just it you ney sayers of Vista. It's a BETA meaning that what you are playing around with is not going to be what they release to the public. And if you were a good Beta tester at all, you would post on the forums for Vista and tell the developers any issues you are having so they can solve them. If you aren't going to be proactive, then quit complaining.

    On a brighter note, yes Office 2007 does rock!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Charlie Brown, 21 Jul 2006 @ 9:35am

    Vista/XP

    Oh please you winny people are just like Charlie Brown when Lucy once again offers to hold the football for him. Your never going to learn.

    I guess it depends on what kind of tech you want to be. An upgrade slave or a troubleshooting keyboard cowboy. Me ? I choose to be the stud.

    ttfn

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Wire Cramped, 21 Jul 2006 @ 10:32am

    To thos who think they know....

    I have said it once and will say it before, I started in 1983 on PC's I have worked on everything from VAX to DEC to AS to MAC and here is the truth.

    If it is digital it is able to be attacked and security will be blown. To think that a user cannot mess up their files in Linux is stupidity too. I venture you never supported non-tech users in a 200 machine Linux install.

    To say a MAC/*nix machine is safe go do a search on Google for Linux Antivirus protection and tell all those companies they are stupid for selling software for a non-existant problem.

    To say windows sucks proves you dont have a clue cause 1. all computers suck regardless of OS and you still can beat the support given by MS unless you really think that Linux is as well supported. (No you may not comment and try to prove that Linux is more supported cause you will thereby prove your stupidity again)

    Try being a systems admin who can secure and speak secure windows and AD and Filesystems and Policy and full front/backend (list goes on) and you will find that you are in fact a MCSE/MCSD/MCDBA or the equivalent which means your doing windows know why? Linux and MAC dont have all these systems and they are still just PC's

    anyway all of you should shaddup

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Lay Person, 21 Jul 2006 @ 10:35am

    Evil is as Evil does...

    Has anyone here ever seen Clockwork Orange?

    It's about human nature and ethics. Essentially the movie questions whether a man (or woman) could be forced to be good through technology.

    The movie's answer is no. Evil is innate and cannot be covered up or band-aided. It is a product of the individual and not of society.

    A person can fake being good but ultimately the true nature will be revealed.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Wire Cramped, 21 Jul 2006 @ 1:53pm

    OK OK i was mad

    I am sick of the bashing that goes on on MS not because I am a MS wannabe but if all this work went into bashing pad politics or as humanity we cant feed everyone or any other grose mis-use, mis-adjusted, plain 'ole miss, then we might solve some real issues here.

    If MS is a security flaw FLOG the hackers attacking peoples machines. If MS is anti competitive and you dont like it dont buy it, as you cant compete if no one buys. If MS is crap then say "in my opinion is not good" and dont recommend it and while we are at it DONT try to support it cause your likely not any good at it and I have to clean up your Linux/MAC bad habits anyway.

    I personally LOVE all the shitty things MS releases and gives away and beta's too!!!! I work in this industry and make money off supporting it. AND guess what I charge more for MAC and Linux support then MS support cause I am one of few who can do it and does.

    I was upset because it alllllllllllllllways turns into a MS bashing even when the topic started up about how Sadam has pink underwear and this is as a direct result of some EVIL MICROSOFT thing that was done to everyone in some poor town.

    If MS wants to do no more evil then let them say it proof is in the putting! Otherwise you were born under a rock and had no clue that yesterday was not the first time MS or any other corporation was doing something you dont like. I bet hoever you all been bashing MS as soon as you realized they make more money then you - SOO WHAT! let it go or help them improve so we can get on with some better tech and shit.

    Sorry for my tie-rade I love you all!!! :)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    whenwego, 21 Jul 2006 @ 4:25pm

    Google not evil?

    Tell that to the poor Chinese bloggers it handed over for prison/execution.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Kevin S., 30 Jul 2006 @ 11:53am

      Re: Google not evil?

      Hahahhaha. That's the funniest thing ever. I didn't even know that happened. Sucks for them. Haha. Lord.

      Anyhow. About that whole "ignorant" post at the beginning. I don't hold anything against you for trying to verify weather or not something you heard was true. And I think if anything else does, they can shove it, because that is completely retarded.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Skeptic, 12 Aug 2006 @ 9:10pm

    Googlers are no angles.

    I don't think Google is that great of a company either. Despite their mottor of doing no evil, Google has been engaged in some practices that raise at least some critics and pundits' eyebrows. For example, GooglePrint. Google feels that is has the right to scan copyrighted material as long as it doesn't display the entire text when people do searches. But if you read the copyright of most books and published works, it clearly states, typically, "No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced in any form or by any means -- graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, taping, Web distribution, information networks, or information storage and retrieval systems -- without the written permission of the publisher." or something to this effect. I believe that one would agree that GooglePrint is an information storage and retrieval system, and there is the "Web" reference -- yet Google persists in pursuing its ends. True, much of what they are digitally copying are books beyond the copyright, but some are not -- and it is the latter situation that alarms me. Too much information in the hands of so few -- and just one company -- "Do no evil" -- indeed!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Skeptic, 12 Aug 2006 @ 9:12pm

    Googlers are no angels.

    I don't think Google is that great of a company either. Despite their mottor of doing no evil, Google has been engaged in some practices that raise at least some critics and pundits' eyebrows. For example, GooglePrint. Google feels that is has the right to scan copyrighted material as long as it doesn't display the entire text when people do searches. But if you read the copyright of most books and published works, it clearly states, typically, "No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced in any form or by any means -- graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, taping, Web distribution, information networks, or information storage and retrieval systems -- without the written permission of the publisher." or something to this effect. I believe that one would agree that GooglePrint is an information storage and retrieval system, and there is the "Web" reference -- yet Google persists in pursuing its ends. True, much of what they are digitally copying are books beyond the copyright, but some are not -- and it is the latter situation that alarms me. Too much information in the hands of so few -- and just one company -- "Do no evil" -- indeed!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    andrei, 27 Aug 2011 @ 9:45am

    greetings from the future. here, microsoft actually is less evil. i'm more worried about google right now

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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