Should CNET be supporting Windows? I say 'No'
CNET Channel has announced that it is partnering with Microsoft to help consumers purchase Windows-supported products with ease and little hesitation. Just what I wanted from my unbiased, neutral news broker.
CNET Channel's high-quality, accurate and consistent product content helps over 2,100 high-technology manufacturers and channel businesses in 35 national markets drive their online businesses and increase sales effectiveness. As an aggregator of best-of-breed content and e-commerce services, CNET Channel will now deliver 'Certified for Windows Vista' and 'Works with Windows Vista' logo information with its product content, rich media solutions and professional services that help retailers, resellers, distributors and manufacturers maximize their online business potentials. CNET Channel's solutions, combined with the Windows Vista Logo Program, contribute to business by providing the solutions that help consumers make confident, rapid, easy buying decisions every day.
I'm sure Microsoft is glad that CNET is helping it to sell Windows-compatible products. I'm not sure how glad I am about it.
Instead of a 'Certified for Windows Vista' program, why doesn't CNET spend its time focused on identifying why Vista (and related products) is a good or bad choice for consumers and enterprises? The logo implies "It's all good" when the reality may be very different.
Regardless, I don't think anything with the CNET brand can afford to take sides, and this program clearly has CNET taking sides with Microsoft. Yes, everyone needs to support the underdog, but I don't want to prop Microsoft up in its fight with open source. :-)
Matt Asay is general manager of the Americas and vice president of business development at Alfresco, and has nearly a decade of operational experience with commercial open source and regularly speaks and publishes on open-source business strategy. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
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Microsoft,
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Industry news
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What do you make of it Matt?