[vox] Microsoft interested in our feelings

[Tim Riley]

On Fri, 2003-12-19 at 07:32, Bill Kendrick wrote:
> I received an email last night from one Michael Surkan from Microsoft
> (based on the mail headers, it looks legit; not some prankster ;^) )
> 
> He wanted to know if it would be appropriate to post a note to our 'vox'
> list asking if folks here would be willing to talk about where they'd
> like to see MS go down the road... kind of a 5-year-plan, to paraphrase.
Kinda like GM allowing Ford to share their 5-year-plan? Which department
does Michael work? Engineering? Public Relations? Marketing?
> 
> Anyway, I told him 'go for it,' so he'll no doubt be posting soon.
> I wanted to give a head's-up to the list before people start arguing over
> whether it's a hoax or prank or not.  The e-mail I got did, in fact,
> originate from *.microsoft.com.  Also, a Google for his name found a quote
> from him at CBS News' website, and posts on LUG mailing list archives.
> 
> 
> I'm quite curious as to what they're up to, and how much MS would actually
> listen to us techie geeks. :^)
I'm dubious regarding MS's intentions. Be on the lookout for rhetoric.
They have only one primary goal -- to maximize profits for their
shareholders. Moreover, their primary product -- Windows -- has one
very emerging competitor -- Linux.

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Michael's intentions are to strengthen our
resolve that Linux is the best operating system to master.

> 
> -bill!
> bill@newbreedsoftware.com                           Got kids?  Get Tux Paint! 
> http://newbreedsoftware.com/bill/       http://newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/
> 
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