Beware of the astroturfers
 

I see a lot of people posting here that look like astroturfers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing

Think about it, what better time for Nokia's rivals to send in some hired thugs to try to sow FUD among the less experienced users. They cal them "Technology Evangelists".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_evangelist

Just as an example, Microsoft has a group dedicated to this type of activity.

http://boycottnovell.com/2008/12/27/...ka-te-secrets/

This is a document revealed during a Microsoft antitrust hearing:

http://antitrust.slated.org/www.iowa...00/PX03096.pdf

These type of thugs activity increases at critical times, such as when a new product is launched by the company that hires them. This is done in the hopes of calling attention to their competing product. Another time when this type of activity increases is when a rival company releases a new product or seems to be making too much head way.

Most people who have been around the industry a while know this. But, I just wanted to make others aware of this because I have a feeling that some of this people are running rampant around here. :eek:

I am not saying that every one that expresses a concern should be automatically labeled an astroturfer. All I am saying is to beware of the possibility. Sometimes they are very subtle. Give people the benefit of the doubt as much as you can, but take what people say with a grain of salt.

Re: Beware of the astroturfers
 

Anti Microsoft, yet they're using Microsoft products... Oh, the Irony!

That's like the Muslim extremists who hate Western values and way of life while using Western technology.

Re: Beware of the astroturfers
 

May I ask what are you talking about?

Re: Beware of the astroturfers
 

Also, be especially on the lookout for moles trying to infiltrate positions of influence.

http://temporaryland.wordpress.com/2...ouraging-foss/

Re: Beware of the astroturfers
 

I don't follow...

What EXACTLY are you referring to, when you ask what I'm talking about?

I wasn't referring to YOU when I spoke of the Anti Microsoft Irony. I spoke of the group whose documents you linked. Perhaps the "they're" word was confusing you and you thought I was talking about you?

~shrug~

Re: Beware of the astroturfers
 

Pure propaganda. I sure hope no one falls for that line of nonsense.

Re: Beware of the astroturfers
 

Propaganda? Really...

Tell me, how often do you work in the Middle East as a PMC? Because I'd love to sit down for a glass of tea next time you're there in the Green Zone. We can exchange war stories and lie about women we've never had.

KTHXBYE.

Re: Beware of the astroturfers
 

I knew it! Goddamn commies are everwhere!

Re: Beware of the astroturfers
 

sheeps? in this forum?
ROFL.

Re: Beware of the astroturfers
 

People use what is at their disposal to accomplish their goals. Even RMS had to use proprietary products at some point to come up with GNU. Nothing hypocritical about it. Sometimes being practical requires a temporary compromise. How deep of a compromise one is willing to make is a different story.