I doubt it. The reason they don’t do it is because, generally speaking, they can’t assert the kind of pressure on OEMs that Microsoft can.

“[My company] does *not* recommend Microsoft Windows Vista|XP|95.”

or

“[My company] recommends you avoid Microsoft Windows Vista|XP|95 like the plague.”

on any website – now *that* would be an advertising campaign that money could not buy…

Note: writer of this comment adds absolutely nothing but stalking and personal attacks against readers, as documented here.

Are you trying to imply that as long as they don do it in the US, it’s ok with you?

I’m assuming for most people the story changes when something important like your health or life gets involved. Yeah software is not as important as someone’s life but the correct principle is what i was trying to display here.

In the end, the point is you don’t want someone who you trust getting paid by someone to peddle their very cruddy software (or cruddy practice).

-AK

Note: writer of this comment adds absolutely nothing but stalking and personal attacks against readers, as documented here.

I wasn’t talking about the OS, I was talking about all the free/dom software they will get when running Linux as opposed to the bundle of money they have to pay up for apps when running Windows.

I thought that was obvious.

That’s fine. Others might be arguing that, but I wasn’t.

I don’t disagree with any of that. However, I believe there is a large amount of apathy as far as an operating system goes. In my professional experience, there’s a healthy number of people that don’t even understand the concept of an operating system, let alone are consciously concerned with Microsoft advertising.

The way I see it, to get anything changed, the OEMs will have to step up and do something about it or some type of legal issue would be brought up by a consumer advocacy group. Other than that, everyone who uses a computer will have to collectively realize what’s going on and actually care, which I don’t see happening.

I’ve seen some accusations elsewhere that this post states the obvious, but it’s not the stating; it’s the showing (of hard evidence).

Yes, they do. No one likes being outright lied to, and should come under more scrutiny than it has.

I think you make a mistake assuming consumers actually care about this. Educating consumers won’t make any difference at all since:

1. For the most part, consumers don’t care
2. It’s the OEMs that are ultimately responsible for doing this, therefore, responsible for shutting it down.

Good work Roy. Publishing this evidence is how an effective way to educate the consumers but non-IT consumers rarely read such articles. Word of mouth should still be used since it is the most effective with the average John/Jane Doe.

And for that dimwit who said FOSS/Linux guys are jealous, keep thinking that while we change the world.

This. The best way this type of activity stops, outside of legal pressure, is when the manufacturers put a stop to it.

OK, so why are you offering the other product? Why waste warehouse space on something you don’t think is good?