No. Wait until they go bankrupt and then hire the engineers. Much cheaper. They should buy RIM and offer both WinMo and Blackberry OS on their hardware

No, let YHOO fall below $10 then think about it...

It's only going to get cheaper

I say wait until they hit rock bottom too. They deserve all of this. Microsoft was willing to give Yahoo! and its share holders new value and ability to compete aggressively. They passed up this chance multiple times now. I don't see why Microsoft should even be spending 17 billion on what is now a doomed Company. I see $4 billion as being what Yahoo is really worth. But Microsoft should try grabbing it before Google though.

mailbox01:
RIM is worthy $30 billion dollars, thats too much money in these rough economic times and Windows Mobile is already stable. You have remember, buying is one thing, but integration is another. Microsoft could use some of its cash left over the work on integration, consolidation and working out the overlapping services. By 2011, I see powerful force ready to take on Google.

Why do you guys suppose that Yahoo is dead? Yahoo has, "as Jerry Yang has put it", a very good future because all they need it vision. They have a good base to work with and they can claw their way back, why doesnt anyone believe the founder who was way ahead of Microsoft and Google when he first started?

I believe Yahoo has the makings of a great and ferocious competitor. See its not the company thats the asset, its the people, especially the people who run the company. You need competent management to manage an asset the size of Yahoo and it just didnt happen after Jerry left, but now hes back and Yahoo will be just fine. They will i believe eclipse Microsoft in share revenue and make new services that people want.

And one more thing, Jerry understands computers and people, and thats a powerful combination.

Joe, microsoft share price has fallen too. In terms of number of microsoft shares, Yahoo is not on fire sale, it is not even on sale.

Yahoo share was 60% of microsoft share, when microsoft first made the offer. It is about 60% even now. So microsoft pays the same in terms of dilution.

Regarding all cash deal, yes a dollar then is a dollar now. But again microsoft could buy back its own share vs yahoo shares. So to microsoft, yahoo has the same price as it was then. But arguable yahoo has suffered a lot since then, especially with regards to search share.

If according to you, buying yahoo in january was
financially a bad move, then buying now is even worse. Yahoo is far more expensive today relative to microsoft, and relative to its core assets.

No. But if might be worth revisiting the jv idea mentioned by Blodget and others. Yahoo is in trouble, especially if the GOOG tie up doesn't happen. And MS is failing badly in its efforts, and their investors are beginning to lose faith (e.g. Einhorn at Greenlight Capital, new 10 year low on the close today).

Quote Andre "I say wait until they hit rock bottom too. They deserve all of this. Microsoft was willing to give Yahoo! and its share holders new value and ability to compete aggressively. They passed up this chance multiple times now."

Lets all thank for the lord for the mighty MS. Andre, how about a little bit of honesty about who you are? Ive read your MS catchphrases and buzz words, and now with your latest revelation of the "kind hearted" MS, it makes me wonder where your pay comes from. Youve never replied to any of my comments challenging your patronizing and silly remarks such as "maturing to vista" and "feature rich" maybe you would consider responding to this one? To be honest I hope you do not have a MS job, as instead of putting MS in a good light, youve suggested in the above post, that MS should now punish yahoo because they didnt take the generous and mighty MS's first offer.

Ive got a "way out" idea Andre, why doesnt MS consider putting that investment into satisfying its current customers and maybe sorting out the issues that Vista has for the customers who bought it, rather than looking to stick its grubby little fingers in another pie?

The downfall of any company is not something that should be relished Andre, and Id suggest the one company who will profit out of others misfortunes would a a company like MS, who probably will wait to get it as cheap as possible.

In addition, due to being shocked at the attitude towards Yahoo, I failed to notice another one of your "revelations" (my mistake)

You said "Windows Mobile is already stable" what are you meaning when you say "stable"? I hope youre not implying that it is functional, as you are talking to a very unhappy Windows Mobile victim here.

I own an MDA Mail running Windows Mobile with T-Mobile, and its been a miserable experience from the start of the contract. T-mobile phone and internet service is fine, the OS is not. I am running a "barebones" "out of the box" Windows Mobile installation, my contact list is only 15 people and I have not extra files present on the system. Despite this, I am subjected to freezing, crashes, delayed responses and I spend more time having to reboot the system by taking out the battery (the off button doesnt function when it freezes) than I do using the phone.

I was silly enough to get two of these phones, one for the wife and one for myself, both function identically. If youre talking about Windows Mobile being stable in that sense, I think you'll find one or two forums that would beg to differ.

Attempting to buy Yahoo was the one thing that signaled to the market that Microsoft really do not have a clue on how to handle Google. Ballmer announced to the world that they are going to remove Googles air supply, but so far he has only fueled the fire. Most people can see that the Microhoo deal only helped Google.

Please Joe, give it up. Ballmer has.

"We virtually get away with murder, and all the goy do is to talk about it, which is ineffective since we, the masters of propaganda, always publish a contradicting account." -Harold W. Rosenthal.
The same is true for the market meltdown scam/crisis. They cause it and all you people do is talk about it.

@ Goblin:

I said what I said out of the welfare of Yahoo! The people leading the Company have not done a good job of doing so. I believe new leadership under Microsoft can revitalize this once cherished Internet Property. Microsoft is even willing to continue the brand and even sacrifice some of its own organic work to put Yahoo! first.

Again, I do not work for Microsoft, I am a big fan of their products and services. Also, Vista is doing very well in the market, consumers and businesses are realizing the benefits. Rich organization and management of data, search and simplicity make Vista a powerful experience for end users around the world. Combined with Windows Live, I see Vista offering even greater value.

Joe your article would have more importance if you concentrated on the probable, instead of the absurd. The probable being a Yahoo AOL merger, and not one with Microsoft. You write as an advocate, always stressing the point of view of "what is good for Microsoft." I think most of us, except for the MS Shills here, would rather you write from the point of view of consumers and IT.

@Goblin

MDA Mail user review:

"Stability- not a sniff of a reset, not even close. The OS is impressing me greatly so far."

Yes. Of course they should. And, M$ should purchase Facebook as the economic crisis hits rock bottom, whenever that may be. A combined M$, Yahoo, Facebook would create an enormously formidable company ready to challenge Google in Internet search, advertising, and social networking as the current economic crisis gives way to better times. However, M$ has to push deeper into working with the top PC and handheld vendors to make better products that innovate in design, software features, and don't load systems down with crapware. Send the new computer owner to a welcome screen that outlines all of the free add-ons that they can then choose to download. Once purchased, they need to learn from what Yahoo is doing with supporting some major open source projects, open API's, and open systems. As a counter balance, Google would probably hook up with Apple, which I think will happen eventually anyway.

@Andre Da Costa:

No, Windows is not a virus. Here's what viruses do:

* They replicate quickly - okay, Windows does that.

* Viruses use up valuable system resources, slowing down the system as they do so - okay, Windows does that.

* Viruses will, from time to time, trash your hard disk - okay, Windows does that too.

* Viruses are usually carried, unknown to the user, along with valuable programs and systems. Sigh... Windows does that, too.

* Viruses will occasionally make the user suspect their system is too slow (see 2) and the user will buy new hardware. Yup, that's with Windows, too.

Until now it seems Windows is a virus but there are fundamental differences: Viruses are well supported by their authors, are running on most systems, their program code is fast, compact and efficient and they tend to become more sophisticated as they mature.

So Windows is NOT a virus.

It's a bug.

^o^

@MarkL - Ill start with you first. That quote, is it your experience or something youre quoting from elsewhere? its not clear. I did not imply that my experience with Windows Mobile was typical to all users (and I hope you are not either), I merely stated my case, and others in a similar position. I am glad to hear there is someone without the issues that my phone has.

@Andre, I will take you on your word that there is no MS connection with you.

Qoute "Also, Vista is doing very well in the market, consumers and businesses are realizing the benefits"
- Youre doing it again, where are you getting these comments from? Even a MS fan cant miss the feelings that the majority of Vista users have and the global reluctance to get the product. I would call your comment dishonest if it wasnt for the fact that anyone who can use google can see the real (and majority) feelings of users. Even looking at this site, compare pro MS posts to anti ones. Does this agree with your opinions?
But you dont stop there do you?
You said "I said what I said out of the welfare of Yahoo! "
- Very honourable Im sure. What did you mean then, when earlier you said "I say wait until they hit rock bottom too. They deserve all of this. " - that doesnt sound to me like you think MS should do the best by Yahoo. It sounds a little bitter, and as I say sounds as if you are relishing the downfall of a company.

All this is by the by, I dont need to debate the finer points because your catchphrases are just so blatantly wrong. I would love to know (and please keep in mind youre talking with a professional coder here, who has to use Vista as part of his work) whos actually considering Vista seriously? The key worries around our Software House and my friends/contacts in the same business is more a worry about making sure the products are aimed primarily at XP with Vista as an afterthought. In terms of our market, they just dont want it.

Games software which makes a massive section of PC profit, has also not gone over to 100% Vista (as I presume MS had wanted to by now) and the latest releases are still compatible with XP as companies know its not viable to release for Vista only.

Since the release of Vista, there has also been a steady migration to alternatives, some of which by large organizations. Does that imply "consumers and businesses are realizing the benefits" If you mean the benefit of having to purchase a new PC just to run Vista effectively, then yes I suppose youre right.

What are the benefits of Vista Andre? Im damned if I can find any and judging by the fact the net is bulging with complaints and jokes made about the system, I dont think anyone else knows either.

Despite not wanting Vista near my machine, I do not have a particular problem with XP. Since PC average specs have caught up to and exceeded those that XP requires, you dont have a bad little OS there. Having said that though (with all Windows releases), with the frequent security holes and the fact that you need firewalls,anti spyware ,virus checkers, it is very similar to someone buying a brand new car only to find you cant lock it, and it will start without keys.

I look forward to the next pro-ms catchphrase from you.

While we wait for Andre's next revelation (and how about "Face on Mars is actually the Windows logo"), heres one small list of companies who "are realizing the benefits" of Windows, and use Linux instead. Theres thousands more. Maybe these organisations have not (as Andre would say) "matured to Vista" a little frightening then when you see the US Army in the list of Linux users.

Heres the link:

http://www.aaxnet.com/design/linux2.html

I don't think they will. Last time they made an offer to Yahoo, their stock had finally begun to show some strength and looked like it could go into and stay in the 30's. As soon as they made the offer for Yahoo, MS stock tanked. In the current market, if they made another Yahoo offer, instead of dropping say $5 to 15, it could drop 10 all the way to the $10.00. I don't think even Steve Ballmer would want to lose that much money.

@smist08:

Steve Ballmer is a little unfortunate IMO. Hes got his job in a time of Global crisis and overwhelming disapproval of MS products.

Making a general comparison here (and I know this is a little superficial) I am looking at MS in the same way I did WCW in the late 90's.

There you had a company with a large financial backing, that bought up all the talent it could, just to get the "market share" of the audience. It worked well for a while, and then ultimately led to its downfall.

Im not saying for one minute that MS will collapse, I think that would be highly unlikely, but just how they have aimed their OS platform at everyone for everything and failed to get the market penetration desired, I think the guiding policy of their company is trying to do the same thing, they are trying to be a "jack of all trades" and end up being a master of none.

Its made me laugh recently with the MS fans that have posted things like "Im going to remove this from my RSS feed", as if their one line protest would make any difference to the direction this site has recently taken.

Microsoftwatch is now more anti MS than Linuxwatch, and I never thought Id see the day where I spend more time on a site supposedly about MS products than any other sites in my favourites.

and a final message from a Linux user to Steve Ballmer: Keep it up, youre doing a great job. Now wheres our wouldbe MS public relations guy Andre?

@Goblin:
I guess the thing is, whether you like MS or not, you still need to watch them. They tend to pull a lot of crap, and its important to keep an eye on the FUD and marketing spin you may encounter in the world. If you write open standards based software designed to run on multiple platforms, you still need to ensure they run on IE and the various Windows. Need to keep an eye on what a new IE or a new Windows 7 might do to you. At least to see it coming.

Microsoft as a company should not buy anything right now. As the USA government continues to bail out failing banks and corporations, Microsoft should not spend any money, and just want until the USA government runs out of borrowed money to prop up these companies, and has to let some of them go broke. At that point, Microsoft can step in and buy at fire sale prices, some of the better long term companies.

Apple: The cheaper alternative?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10063239-17.html

"the company will unveil an $800 Mac to appeal to those looking to spend less on an Apple computer. Mac sales have never been higher, and it's quickly becoming apparent that people are more than willing to spend the additional cash to own a Mac. And yet, the rumors that Apple will sell an $800 Mac simply won't go away"

Not being a Mac user, I cant comment on their systems with personal experience, however, many people say to me they want one, but the price is too high. Ive read reports that the Mac is very user friendly, whilst being fast and functional, all the owners of a Mac system Ive spoken to are very happy with their purchase, so an $800 machine can only be a good thing, and anything that makes people realize that they have choices, Ill support.

Goblin:
Your Mac info is nothing but hear say. I have friends who migrated to the Mac only to turn around a few months later and fully embrace Windows Vista. OS X is not a platform that fully embraces openness like Windows Vista, where you are in control of your personal data. Right now, a friend of mine who recently purchased a MacBook Pro with Leopard, is having a hard time transferring back his music and contacts to Windows. If its the other way around, you can easily migrate your data created in Windows to OS X.

Thats because Windows Vista gives end users the tools to be more productive and focus on the things they want to accomplish and do with their PC. Its not about hardware form factors, its about the experience and building rich connections with the thousands of applications and devices that Vista is compatible with.

@Andre

You said "Your Mac info is nothing but hear say"

and didnt I make that clear prior to making my post? Didnt I say "Not being a Mac user, I cant comment on their systems with personal experience"? You on the other hand come out with your facts without any justification at all. When I share experiences or info with people I like to state the source (unlike you) I want people to be able to make a fair choice based on open facts.
I could do what you do Andre and just come out with some silly one liners like "People are maturing to Linux as they are fed up with being locked into buggy MS products" I dont as I want people to make an informed decision.

Its blatantly obvious after looking at your "blog" and doing a little research that you are after becoming Microsoft MVP. I hate to tell you this but youre buzzword laced and factually arrogant style of posting is exactly what MS is trying to distance itself from (hence the recently failed MS adverts)

Youre not MS material Im afraid, and your info is propaganda and catchphrases that sound more like an MS locked in salesman. MS is far more clever, they know that their product has issues, so they seek to promote it using more subtle tactics (look at the recent ads)

You have failed to answer any of the questions I put to you, youve failed to either confirm or deny the fact that contrary to your comment about business "maturing to Vista" it appears more large organisations are boycotting Windows entirely. Am I wrong to say an EU government has recently moved completely to Linux?

Andre why do you say things like "Thats because Windows Vista gives end users the tools to be more productive"? - I dont need to argue that point because all a user has to do is a google search and see how productive Vista actually is to a large majority of people.

Its sweeping statements like that which make you come across to me as dishonest or at least very badly researched. How many times do I need to tell you, people are not happy with Vista. It is not the success story that MS wanted, and the games industry, which is a good indicator of the popularity of a platform, is not liking what it is seeing, hence why, well into the life of Vista they are still providing games for the XP platform aswell.

Andre, have you ever asked yourself, why other MS fans/salepersons havent jumped to your defense with your catchphrases? Could it be because everytime you release a new one, they are cringing at comments which you make that are so simple to disprove.

The comment you make about the mac - Windows issue I cant comment about. What I would suggest though, is for the average user who has one computer in their household (say a Mac) would want to do this. If I bought a Mac your one problem you mention wouldnt be an issue to me, and its another example of you giving a fact to try to cover everyone in a vain attempt to suggest that they are best off with MS.

Theres one easy question I would like you to answer, it will be interesting to see your response:

Scenario: A student requires a simple wordprocessor to make basic documents. As all students, they are short on cash, but can afford MSOFFICE student ver. They dont need the extra features of MSOFFICE and have read that ABIword is free. Which would you recommend to the student?

Lets see how much you want that MVP. Tough choice eh? Let see Student short on cash, only wants the basics? they would be better off with Abiword....but wait! you wont get that MVP if you suggest an opensource product, so I am expecting you to recommend OFFICE on some mickey mouse reason that wouldnt even apply to them.

Well, at least Yahoo! is trading higher than Ford and GM.

"Thats because Windows Vista gives end users the tools to be more productive and focus on the things they want to accomplish and do with their PC."

Vista does not contain a decent text editor, PDF viewer, Flash player or even a good browser.

Most people have to download tens of programs before they can think of being productive. They have to focus on getting all their software before they can even start.

Mac and Linux both include almost everything the average user needs to get going out of the box.

Maybe once we get the magic of software combined with the power of the internet on a world of devices everything will change.

@Andre,
Whoa there! You need to get your facts straight.

First, it's true that a lot of Windows users feel extremely frustrated after migrating to Mac. Just as a lot of Mac users would feel frustrated after migrating to Windows. They are different systems that offer different environments. So what?

But you mention that it's easy to transfer data from Windows to Mac, but not the other way around. What you fail to conclude is that Mac (and Linux) reach out to Windows, but Windows reaches out to nothing but other Windows environments... and your wallet.

And the claim that Yahoo needs Microsoft's wonderful leadership doesn't make sense. If Microsoft cannot lead its own people to Internet success, how can they lead Yahoo people to the same goal? Basically, the claim is that Microsoft is composed of a bunch of idiots with great leaders, while Yahoo is composed of a bunch of geniuses with incompetent leaders. No, if Microsoft cannot do this on its own, with its vast army of developers and its immense cash holdings, then it cannot buy another company and do it unless that company is already well-led and performing well on its own.

@ Goblin:

I have been nominated 4 times for Microsoft MVP and you know what I did, I declined. Because I knew that having that title would attract a negative perception on my views about Microsoft and praise of its products. Just look at the back lash I have received for reviewing a laptop with Vista on it. What does the Microsoft MVP award offer me that I don't already have? I have been covering and watching the development of Windows Longhorn as far as December 2004 when my blog started.

I have participated in Microsoft newsgroups supporting users who have upgraded to Windows Vista, I'm a Microsoft beta tester since 2002. Whats strange about that? How would that indicate I am after an 'award'? Surely it can't be an MSDN Subscription? Surely it can't be the willingness to go to a summit out of my own pocket?

I already help shape Microsoft products through a number of successful avenues, Microsoft Beta Programs (which you obviously would not qualify for) and my blog. Goblin Googling me is an obvious reflection of the type of people we have in the Open Source community or who support it, bitter, weak mind and obviously insecure.

Flowery language is one of Andre's strong points, but the truth is not. And being nominated 4 times for Microsoft MVP, is a different thing than being elected one.

Hosting a big Windows fanboy site on live.com is more than the average homeboy is going do down in the bannana republics. Most people there cannot even afford the electricity to run a computer, not to mention the computer with Vista on it itself, but Andre can. It takes help and knowledge to run and setup a just the facts type of website that Andre has, few homeboys can do that. Hated of everything that is non-microsoft, is abundantly clear from Andre. Not to mention his posts on Amazon and many other sites. Andre is such a prolific poster on the internet, in support of Microsoft, that its extremely doubtful he has time for anything else. The most likely thing is, that Andre is an evangelist, bought and paid for in some fashion, by MSFT.

And he will never answer your questions, but rather respond with attacks and generalities. Then there is Doctor Doug, who Margo said was a shill as well, lately I have come round to accepting that Margo was most likely correct there as well.

Should Microsoft Buy Yahoo Now?
I say yes, MS should continue to buy and buy back its own stock until it runs out of cash on hand. That way, it can go bankrupt when the economy of the world hits the toilet.

Microsoft blames users for Vista infections
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39418108,00.htm

"The claim that Vista is less secure than Windows 2000 was made last week by security vendor PC Tools, which said that over the past six months Vista had suffered 639 unique threats, whereas Windows 2000 has suffered 586. PC Tools's research was conducted by collecting data from customers using its ThreatFire behavioural detection software."

Forget Andre de la Costa, his only interest here is promoting the bottom line of Micro$oft.

Hi chips, I am Marco (Marco Antonio, Italian name- Mark in English) not Margo.
-------------
BTW: You've come to realize, how had changed the IT world from approximately 2 year ago? (Painful thing-think too- for Andre, Taylor and likes who make their living of MS). The unthinkable is almost a reality now.

At this time, I am something busy for that I post little, but I enjoy reading to Joe and over more reading the forum.... and watching in the news how the reality can be more incredible than fiction.

Its all about values and productivity. Microsoft products offer these unique set of qualities, the experiences they create by connecting users with their Families, Employees and extending the value of their businesses. The over 1 billion Windows users world wide reflect this. I don't have a problem with Open Source software, I don't have a problem with persons or businesses choosing open source software. In fact, Microsoft has been very accomodating supporting Linux on top of Windows through virtualization solutions such as Virtual Server, PC and the recently introduced Hyper-V for Windows Server 2008 x64.

Microsoft has also worked with Company's in the Open Source community such as Novell to support greater integration among their respective technologies and to make it easier for the customer to get the job done and focus on accelerating productivity. My view is, how can such a Company be seen as wrong or evil? Why is there this bottled up hatred? I honestly would like to know. Why am I seen as a shill, a secret agent, someone with a ulterior motive, a mouth piece for Microsoft? Chips you have a passion for Linux and Open Source and I respect that, at times I may say things about it, but I do respect your views and values.

I see that you are one of those individuals that do not believe in the progress of developing countries. Because I am from Jamaica, ultimately we are poor, we live in huts, we don't have running water. But there it goes again Chips, you are reflecting the true identity of the Open Source community, people who belittle others. Microsoft sees the full potential of everyone around the world.

But if I choose proprietary and proven solutions provided by Microsoft that works for hundreds of millions of individuals world wide, why is that somehow inhumane? I think the problem here is one of self hate amongst the individuals in the Open Source community, a sign of turmoil within the platform, the failures not to achieve the goal of attempting to overthrow, the fact that over a billion and growing use Microsoft Windows because its the best.

If thats the case, I'm sorry, get use to it.

Example:
OpenOffice.org overwhelmed by demand for version 3.0
http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2008/10/13/openoffice_org_download_website_dead/

---------------------

1.5 million G1 Android phones pre-ordered
.tgdaily.com/html_tmp/content-view-39701-118.html
------------------------
Google Apps takes 38,000 licenses to Microsoft Office in Washington DC

google.dirson.com/post/4141-google-apps-licencias-microsoft-office/
=------------------

and much more.......

Microsoft!

Offering the benefit of a world of devices running magic software using the power of the internet and a unique set of qualities to connect you with your family and employees and extending the value of your business.

Hi Andre:
"Because I am from Jamaica, ultimately we are poor, we live in huts, we don't have running water"

but that is not excuse for sell your integrity, old friend (and less for a laptop).

Andre says:
"Why am I seen as a shill, a secret agent, someone with a ulterior motive, a mouth piece for Microsoft? Chips you have a passion for Linux and Open Source and I respect that, at times I may say things about it, but I do respect your views and values."
Andre, you are obviously someone of higher intelligence, just from the way you blog and write. From the way you actually have some knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows in general. So to call you an idiot as you and Neil did to me when I started commenting here is not appropriate and is in the past. But your being a knowledgeable person, is not necessarily the same as being a truthful person. I know you for what you are, someone who writes for the express purpose to support all things Microsoft. Where you are from I do not really know, as I would expect a true ms shill to use a fake address, and that address cannot be confirmed. Only that you website uses a live.com site hosted by Microsoft, and you use hotmail also, run by Microsoft.

Sadly I have very little respect for Andre's viewpoint at all, as it differs so little from the official Micro$oft viewpoint as to be almost identical. Andre loves to tell us that Vi$ta is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but soon he will be telling us to get Windows Seven and berating Vista, as he does now with XP sometimes.

Andre, I seldom ever respond to your comments because as Goblin says, you never respond to point s except in a general way, without facts, without links to back up your claims, as well.

When you, Andre come clean, and really truthfully come clean and explain your true relationship with Microsoft, then and only then, will you gain any respect from most users here. There are those who work for Microsoft that post here and identify themselves as such. I respect them for that, although I may respectfully disagree with what they say. Also, I expect that you cannot come clean and admit that you are commenting as a paid MS evangelist, as MS dosen't want people to know that.

As far as my "passion" for open source and linux, its true that almost all the time I use Linux and like it far far better than Windows. Although XP has it place for legacy software, but its been a long long time since I needed it. I have been a long Dos and Windows user, and still many people depend on me to fix, clean, or repair their windows computers.

In one respect Andre, I owe both you and Neil, as it was you two, that finally convinced me that I should be running Linux all the time,instead of XP. I wonder how many others you have also convinced with your poorly thought out points defending of Vista and Windows OS in general? When one cannot even agree that Windows is a malware target and needs fixing, there is something very wrong with your thinking. I know about malware, as I fix Windows computers.

@Andre

I am repeating myself am I not? Why wont you answer the questions I put to you.

The comment you made about "Googling me is an obvious reflection of the type of people we have in the Open Source community or who support it, bitter, weak mind and obviously insecure."

So you dont think anyone should search anothers credentials when wanting to know the integrity of them? Should we blindly follow what someone says merely because they post it? - Dont be silly Andre.

As for googling you, It was another tech forum that I new Id seen your name in, so I checked it with your blog and assumed you were the same person. Looks like im right.

As for you turning down the MVP award, Ive googled that and found nothing about it, and because I didnt google you in the first place I wasnt aware. Andre your reputation for this propaganda posting style is legendary, there are many people who have made comments on it. Youve now resorted to being (or trying to be) offensive, so Ill make sure that the link to this new behaviour of yours is listed aswell.

So there you have it folks, anyone who wants to know the integrity of a poster and makes checks, is weak minded, lets instead all convert to Vista but Andre thinks most people have "matured" to it anyway.

Why wont you answer the questions I ask Andre? (Third time now Andre)

Andre, it is obvious that you have no argument, as that is why you are now trying to insult people (again with "blanket comments")

You said "Because I am from Jamaica, ultimately we are poor, we live in huts, we don't have running water"

So then Andre, what better reason than that to use Opensource solutions? The FSF is affiliated with some great projects that supply machines to developing countries. Developing countries in particular are keen on opensource platforms if you care to go to the site you can see the great work being done.

When you said "you are reflecting the true identity of the Open Source community, people who belittle others"

Again, and Im sorry to say this, but you are telling lies. The whole ethos of the opensource community is to help others (thats why its open) you are encouraged to adapt,share,modify software.

Please explain what you mean by belittle, HOW has the opensource community belittled anyone? - and if all the MS fans are right and their product is so great, then we couldnt belittle anyone anyway.

I know you wont answer these questions, your reply will skirt around the subject.

@Andre

One final question that you wont answer.

If, as you say "Because I am from Jamaica, ultimately we are poor, we live in huts, we don't have running water" how on earth do you seem up to date with MS products?

Are you living in luxury whilst your nieghbours are in poverty? Are you getting money from MS? or is your profile a complete lie and a vain attempt to try to put MS into a charitable light.

Poverty in developing countries is a terrible thing, and my heart goes out to anyone who cannot eat properly or have running water. - I REALLY HOPE YOU ARE NOT TELLING LIES ABOUT WHO YOU ARE.
but you knowledge and frequency online dont tend to suggest you are suffering any hardship.

Marco :

Hi Andre:
"Because I am from Jamaica, ultimately we are poor, we live in huts, we don't have running water"

but that is not excuse for sell your integrity, old friend (and less for a laptop).
----------------------------------------------------
Nice to hear from you again Marco. Sorry about my spelling earlier.
One thing is for sure, Andre does not live in a hut, and can afford better computers and laptop than us. Also, at one point Andre claim to be running a Print shop with about 15 presses, and lately he claims to just be a student. Those links can be looked up as he posted those claims here. There is no real problem with Andre except that his real motivation need to be pointed out sometimes.

Andre says: "But there it goes again Chips, you are reflecting the true identity of the Open Source community, people who belittle others."

Really Andre, I do not reflect the identity of the Open Source community at all. As far as "people who belittle others," it is you who berate the work of other, who compete with MS. Even in this post you took aim at Mac. As a private poster I take aim to disprove when I choose the wilds claims that shills like you make. If Micro$oft would spend more money fixing their software, instead of paying shills to comment for them, they would be, and the users would be better off.

Chips:

Couldnt agree more with you.

I cant comment on the Mac, as Ive never had the pleasure.

I can comment on Vista (using it every day at work)
and I can comment on Linux.

Im not anti-MS as such, infact Im not anti anything. I just want people to know they have choices, and stop people being misled with one sided statements and posters like Andre.

According to Andre's blog he is now a Desktop technician, so thats another of Andres "lifestyles" to add to the list.

What will be next? Astronaught? Pilot? Submariner? Maybe we should have a competition, although whatever it is, it will be sponsored by MS.

Goblin, Chips:

I admire the team spirit. Thats one of the key things about Microsoft software, it enables collaboration, tools like Windows Meeting Space enable new scenarios for small businesses to create ad hoc experiences that give employees new and innovative ways of collaborating and taking advantage of the rich, secure and improved networking stack built into Windows Vista.

Teams can further realize their potential by integrating solutions like Microsoft Exchange 2007 and Office SharePoint 2007 in their organization to give employees the tools to be flexible, and manage information through best of breed Document Lifecycle and Management facilities that integrate with Windows Server 2008's Active Directory.

To Chips: 'Sorry about my spelling earlier'
Don't worry about that.

---------------
To Goblin; You are new here, mate. Andre is a proven case of someone working for Ms, and this is nothing, had been a time in this Web in which you could not speak word against Ms because a lot of 'neutral people'-among them Andre- attacked you (not your ideas but at hominem)

MS is a cunning old thing and knows the power of advertising (as well as the lobbyist power, the lawyer power, etc) therefore the 'blogger power'- read shill power- and as for insults, you have not heard anything yet. i. e. Andre Da Costa:

'Marco, you are nothing but a lousy jealous bastard who does not have a life. Go to hell and stop linking to that crap. What is wrong with you???

Chips has a lot of examples like this as well...

You have to admire that fact that Andre Da Costa never gives up and is a walking commercial for Microsoft. He tries very hard to support sales of MS software on this site, which is mostly a business/IT site for businesses.

Most of these businesses would be far better off going to distrowatch.com and downloading a few live cd's of Linux distro's, and checking them out. They run from the live cd, so you check them out to see if they support your hardware, and have the software you want before you install them. Most will also have ways to install and leave your windows install intact as well, but best to go to the distro's forum first and find out about setting up dual boot systems. As Windows may need to be defragged and the partition shrunk before doing that.

Think of the cost and time you can save, by getting out of the next Windows upgrade cycle, many linux distros are free. Think of the time you will save of the countless scans for virus of windows by converting to Linux or Mac, an OS that sercurity works, instead of a malware target like Windows. When windows crashes because of malware problems, do you: A. reinstall windows B. take it to a professional and pay C. buy another computer?

distrowatch.com it will set you free from the problems of windows

"I admire the team spirit. Thats one of the key things about Microsoft software, it enables collaboration, tools like Windows Meeting Space enable new scenarios for small businesses to create ad hoc experiences that give employees new and innovative ways of collaborating and taking advantage of the rich, secure and improved networking stack built into Windows Vista."

That has to be one of the most witty things Ive ever read on the net, not so much for its content but how hes been able to turn around questions and points being made into a pro MS statement (ever considered politics? maybe when you change career again you could consider that?)

I am beginning to think that Andre is maybe not a shill or a MS employee at all. I am wondering if Andre is a secret Linux fan and in order to highlight MS's shortcomings he pretends to promote will his silly and dishonest comments. He knows full well that people will challenge him, and he does this to further highlight MS's shortcomings.

Maybe Andre is Linux fan? or maybe he's a Mac?
He certainly isnt on the side of MS, as all he's managed to do is start a little rebellion against MS on the microsoftwatch site, and show himself up as a dishonest individual.

Not answering the questions in the previous posts Andre?

Didnt think so.

@marco

Sorry missed your post there.

Nice to meet another like minded person. Maybe I was wrong, maybe Windows does bring together communities, its certainly got alot of people banding together against Andre.

Thanks for bringing my attention to the Andre tirade, it is obvious he can get very nasty, and the polite propaganda that we are reading at the moment, is maybe hiding a more sinister side of him.

Goblin says;

"I am beginning to think that Andre is maybe not a shill or a MS employee at all. I am wondering if Andre is a secret Linux fan and in order to highlight MS's shortcomings he pretends to promote will his silly and dishonest comments. He knows full well that people will challenge him, and he does this to further highlight MS's shortcomings."
----------------------------------------------------
Have no doubt that Andre is working for MS. One does not go to the all the trouble of creating a website, or having a corporation create a website for you, and then blog about that company for many years, without being somehow being compensated for it. It is as you say, Andre is just terrible at it. Or could it be, that Andre is actually very good at defending that which cannot be defended, Microsoft? Andre has few ideas of his own, and mostly copies and paste off his site, or some other just the facts website run by or for Micro$oft. Andre is the dishonesty of Micro$oft trying to pass off one of their own, as a causal blogger, not connected to the company.

Dear all posters

I would like you all to know that Andre is actually a chinese super blogger. In china super blogger is a term we use for the chinese blogger who knows the native american language.

I know he gets on americans nerves but we pay him for that to promote red flag linux so americans will go back to the forest soon. also i forget that americans can also become like monkeys as well.

So good work Andre and i know that the chinese goverment will reward you handsomely soon. continue to promote red flag linux Andre and you will get your reward in china soon.

Maybe you Andre can drink some contaminated mild products soon as well. i know the china government want to cull the population soon.

Regards A Chineese super blogger and super space nation blogger.

How about a little reality check? Yahoo shareholders who are still holding their stock have lost nothing. This "loss" is a fallacy used by the stock brokerages to influence buyers and sellers so that the brokerages and brokers make a profit. The options and futures markets are what are driving the prices up the most to the inflated levels prevalent before the bottom fell out. Elemental fact - if you have to borrow money to buy stock, you can't afford to buy it.

@Andre

You know I saw the comments over here and it's kind of funny, if Microsoft products are so good then... why this website (microsoft-watch.com) is running in a Red Hat Linux System?

@Dan Mihai.

Hi! - You do realize that Andre wont answer that one!

Im sure he'll have a MS press release to copy and paste though, and I for one am looking forward to the reading the rubbish hes going to come out with next.

Come on Andre, dont keep your fanbase waiting!

Goblin says;

"I am beginning to think that Andre is maybe not a shill or a MS employee at all. I am wondering if Andre is a secret Linux fan and in order to highlight MS's shortcomings he pretends to promote will his silly and dishonest comments. He knows full well that people will challenge him, and he does this to further highlight MS's shortcomings."
----------------------------------------------------
@Goblin:
While you are correct that Andre is terrible in his defense of Microsoft, prehaps the reason MS does not fire him is Windows and Office products cannot be defended anymore, if one compares them to alternatives.

If we must indulge in conspiracy theories about Andre's purpose defending Microsoft, then let me come up with a pure crazy one that might be as close as your theory;

Andre and Joe Willcox are one and the same. Since almost nobody will write in with knowledge and defend MS products, Joe Willcox writes the comments to defend the chief commercial sponsor of this eweek site, and to increase viewers and comments here. Whoops, even I don't believe my own theory. But I would say that often Joe does seem to use the talking points from MS for a long time. I miss the old Joe Willcox who would just come out and say it like it is.

:)

To be honest I dont think Andre is a Linux fan (as his posting history would suggest otherwise) however I found it ironic that in his attempts at promoting MS he was actually defending Linux, and was too ignorant to understand how his posts are interpretted by others.

Looking at Andres blog, I find it amusing that when people sign his guestbook its mostly to complain about a problem with Vista (and I think that says alot)

I personally think Andre Da Costa is much more than a user now, he is an ideology. He represents those users whos product ignorance (either through lack of knowledge or because of their monthly pay packet) refuses to accept or even acknowledge any other viewpoint and seek to distort the truth with half truths and rumours.

People use the term "flame" when making comments about a post that provokes an argument. Maybe we could define a new term: posting a "da costa" can mean, trying to distort the truth with propaganda and incorrect facts. You never know, the term may take off.

Ive also been looking at where Andre claims to come from, and apparently his own government are looking at opensource now as an alternative to costly MS products.

@Goblin :
Andre needs proper recognition for all his work, and needs to be added on the link you provided in another post as a Microsoft astroturfer. Give credit where credit is due.

http://www.microturfs.org/start

@The Hand:

Hi!
Great idea!

Are you refering to my blog article or one here? I believe I saw someone else post the microturfs link here and I did a feature on it on my blog.

Its a great page though, however do you think MS would actually pay Andre for his efforts? (he's not very good) I think what is more likely is they will bung him a laptop every once in a while to keep him pro MS.

I have read through all of the Vista Slams with amusement, especially the unhappy user reports. I will admit that I delayed at installing Vista right at the start until I did a little research. Once that research was completed and I did some updates to my computer, Vista was installed. I find it strange of all of the reported BSODs. My reliability meter pegged the 10 in July after a June install and I have not looked back. I have yet to have BSOD. I did have a driver issue, but it was resolved with one email to MS. The problem that I see with all of the unhappy Vista users is that they jumped on the bandwagon without doing the research needed for the new OS. Vista is completely new with different requirements. Just like the change was in going from 98SE to XP. So to all of you linux and apple fanboys, it is your problem, not MS. You can have your apple core with no software support or your linux traps with no hardware support. I prefer an OS that is currently being made better over time. By the way, I did have a Mac, it is now sitting in the corner being used as a doorstop. It was under warranty when it failed. Apple would not repair. One less Mac in the world. Also, I do have a machine that will boot linux, it is there, but very rarely used.

@pmasley :
Your story sounds so identical to Douglas Taylor's one, if I did not know better, I would say you were him. And maybe you are. Could it be, just when Andre stops, Doctor Doug starts?

@pmasley:

Firstly, I am very happy that you have had a good experience with Vista. You've shown your experiences and opinions without implying that your facts are "blanket" for every user. I can respect the fact that you find Vista is more suitable to your needs, although I would hope youve followed your own advice and not "jumped on the bandwagon" when you say about hardware support on Linux. I hope you reached that opinion because you found your hardware incompatible. (Maybe you could let us know what hardware had problems with Linux?)

The only comment I take issue with is the jumping on the bandwagon implication you make about anti Windows comments.

As Ive said many times here, I develop on the Vista platform for work, until recently Ive always had at least one current Windows platform at home (afterall my company pays for my home rigs, so Ive usually got the most recent specs and the most recent OS)

I have been using Linux at home for years and when Opensource software started to creep into use at my place of work, I found myself using Vista/Windows platform less and less at home. I have many problems with Vista, I found it unstable, fussy, slow, but the main point being I found that all the software 3rd parties (and Microsoft) were trying to sell me was available in an opensource flavour on the Linux Platform.

I feel I have made the best choice for me.

pmasley, I would ask you to consider this though. Most users get Windows pre-installed on their new machine (without a choice). Id say at least 90% of all Linux users have come from a background of using Windows for years. Why then, would someone support Linux if it was a "lesser" OS? Linux is free. So why would anyone want to intentionally run and support it, if Vista is the superior product? Id certainly be running Vista, if it was fit for my purposes and I am not interested in running down anyone who finds that Vista is better for them, as long as that decision is made from a position of experience.

MS agents dont want you to know that you have a choice, as to them a user trying out an alternative is a risked lost sale. Most Linux users (I hope) are interested in running the fastest functional system, and for them that is Linux in its many flavours. Some people choose Mac, and thats great aswell. Its not about band wagons, its about choice.

No.... Don't hit now.. Wait for a while...
Its definitely going to get cheaper

yes Microsoft should buy Yahoo, its in desperate needs of massive user base, and Yahoo got this unique visitors and good traffic,Alexa rank it as no.1. Yahoo is a must buy thing.

darvardo

darvardo