Microsoft in hot water over Wikipedia edits

[almaty 19]

AP) -- Microsoft Corp. has landed in the Wikipedia doghouse after it offered to pay a blogger to change technical articles on the community-produced Web encyclopedia site.

While Wikipedia is known as the encyclopedia that anyone can tweak, founder Jimmy Wales and his cadre of volunteer editors, writers and moderators have blocked public-relations firms, campaign workers and anyone else perceived as having a conflict of interest from posting fluff or slanting entries. So paying for Wikipedia copy is considered a definite no-no.

"We were very disappointed to hear that Microsoft was taking that approach," Wales said Tuesday.

Microsoft acknowledged it had approached the writer and offered to pay him for the time it would take to correct what the company was sure were inaccuracies in Wikipedia articles on an open-source document standard and a rival format put forward by Microsoft.

Spokeswoman Catherine Brooker said she believed the articles were heavily written by people at IBM Corp., which is a big supporter of the open-source standard. IBM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Brooker said Microsoft had gotten nowhere in trying to flag the purported mistakes to Wikipedia's volunteer editors, so it sought an independent expert who could determine whether changes were necessary and enter them on Wikipedia.

Brooker said Microsoft believed that having an independent source would be key in getting the changes to stick -- that is, to not have them just overruled by other Wikipedia writers.

Brooker said Microsoft and the writer, Rick Jelliffe, had not determined a price and no money had changed hands -- but they had agreed that the company would not be allowed to review his writing before submission. Brooker said Microsoft had never previously hired someone to influence a Wikipedia article.

Jelliffe, who is chief technical officer of a computing company based in Australia, did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

In a blog posting Monday, he described himself as a technical standards aficionado and not a Microsoft partisan. He said he was surprised to be approached by Microsoft but figured he'd accept the offer to review the Wikipedia articles because he considered it important to make sure technical standards processes were accurately described.

Wales said the proper course would have been for Microsoft to write or commission a "white paper" on the subject with its interpretation of the facts, post it to an outside Web site and then link to it in the Wikipedia articles' discussion forums.

"It seems like a much better, transparent, straightforward way," Wales said.

[Mags 112]

Microsoft=Evil

Wiki=Good

[Robor007 0]

Microsoft=Evil

Wiki=Good

Why is Microsoft Evil?

[Marilyn. 340]

Microsoft Purchases Evil From Satan

By Brian Briggs

Redmond, WA - Microsoft purchased evil from Satan for $2.7 billion after many months of tough negotiations.

"We've been after Satan for some time," said CEO Steve Ballmer. "Negotiations were tough, but I think both Microsoft and the Prince of Darkness are happy with this deal."

Microsoft already controls 15% of the evil market, and with this purchase that number nears 100%. The Department of Justice voiced concerns over one corporation controlling so much evil, and launched investigations.

"We feel that there are real opportunities with evil, and that when evil is integrated into our next generation of Windows products consumers will appreciate evil on their desktop," said Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. "Businesses haven't been able to fully realize their evil potential. With evil integrated into Office XP, corporations big and small will begin to see enhanced evil productivity."

"Evil is a real growing market," market strategist Frank Dresgan of Merrill Lynch explained. "Microsoft is a little late in the game, but even when they enter a market late they still tend to dominate. I think we'll see the same results with evil."

"I've been dealing with Microsoft for some time," Lucifer said. "I've been at this evil thing for millions of years, and wanted a way out. I considered an IPO, but then Steve-O and Billy came along and told me about their 'Evil Everywhere' plan. I just couldn't refuse."

Evil was founded by Satan close to the beginning of time. It has been growing steadily ever since, although most of the growth has accelerated in the past five years with the development of the Internet. Satan plans to retire to a small island in the Bahamas and write a column for the local newspaper.

http://bbspot.com/News/2000/4/MS_Buys_Evil.html

[Mags 112]

Microsoft=Evil

Wiki=Good

Why is Microsoft Evil?

Surely you jest?

[Robor007 0]

Microsoft=Evil

Wiki=Good

Why is Microsoft Evil?

Surely you jest?

No, I do not jest. Why is Microsoft 'Evil'? Please state your reasoning and give me an example(s).

[Mags 112]

Microsoft=Evil

Wiki=Good

Why is Microsoft Evil?

Surely you jest?

No, I do not jest. Why is Microsoft 'Evil'? Please state your reasoning and give me an example(s).

Are you the Microsoft Police?

[Marilyn. 340]

Microsoft=Evil

Wiki=Good

Why is Microsoft Evil?

Surely you jest?

No, I do not jest. Why is Microsoft 'Evil'? Please state your reasoning and give me an example(s).

Are you the Microsoft Police?

I would back away Mags.... he seems to like to debate everything...

but in my opinion Microsoft is evil... their programs suck example I.E.

[Mags 112]

Microsoft=Evil

Wiki=Good

Why is Microsoft Evil?

Surely you jest?

No, I do not jest. Why is Microsoft 'Evil'? Please state your reasoning and give me an example(s).

Are you the Microsoft Police?

I would back away Mags.... he seems to like to debate everything...

but in my opinion Microsoft is evil... their programs suck example I.E.

*backs away*

[almaty 19]

you did well sister mags..and microsoft suxs

[Ban Hammer 14,422]

[almaty 19]

well put

[Ban Hammer 14,422]

well put

here's some more for you

[Ban Hammer 14,422]

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Microsoft=Evil

Wiki=Good

Why is Microsoft Evil?

Well for one thing they have capitulated with the Chinese government to actively censor internet users in China.

Their software is also notoriously bug-riddled - XP SP1 was released to a project deadline and really needed another 6 months of testing. I'm less than enthused that I cannot upgrade to SP2 without rebuilding my entire system.

Here are some other Criticisms of Microsoft - there are referenced articles at the bottom of the page.

Edited January 24, 2007 by erekose