Microsoft ExpertZone training teaches Best Buy employees about Linux inferiority

http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-p...uy-employees-about-linux-inferiority-2009097/

 

Reminds me of fundamentalist brainwashing of children in school..

 

Lets deconstruct the core arguments...

* Linux can require a lot of time to maintain. For example, Ubuntu (a version of Linux) may have hundreds of updates a month
* It can be unclear to users whether or not software updates need to be applied immediately or are optional
* Linux does not support many common applications and online services like iTunes, Zune, Quicken, Photoshop, and Office 2007
* Windows works with more software and devices
* [When using Linux] There’s no guarantee that when security vulnerabilities are discovered, an update will be created. Users are on their own.
* There is no ability to set parental restrictions
* Linux is a self help solution. There are no step-by-step tutorials provided, and help documentation is limited
* Because there are different “flavors” of Linux, you can’t learn one version and be sure you know them all


1. Hundreds of updates a month is not a bad thing. They can be done as easy, or easier than Windows Update. Linux distros are constantly providing updates for all programs in their repository, as well as for core functionality. So its like you get tons of security updates, and the latest version of Winamp, Photoshop, and your favorite game in one click.
2. Uh, each update says exactly what it is and what it does. Gone are cryptic "fixes Microsoft Problem Number X1353543543534534, now go look it up". Updates are automatically parsed based on the repository they come from, so your critical kernal security updates in "core, are separated from your music player in "community" etc...
3. They're correct here, to some degree. However, there are equivalent programs for a given task if a particular program isn't important and some programs can be run perfectly with WINE, especially 2D programs. Web wise, there's not much meaningful content that can't be run, especially with user agent switchers.
4. Linux I'm guessing has support for /more/devices, especially old ones. If you want to use some ancient serial connection, Vista will not have a clue, but Linux will know what to do. However, Windows does have drivers for the newest things written the fastest, by crappy companies that don't make drivers accessible to any other platform.
5. Microsoft really shouldn't talk here. Thousands of eyes and thousands of hands are constantly at work on Linux. Those hundreds of updates that they complained about get there quickly because there are tons of trusted users and paid employees maintaining and updating different aspects of Linux. Sure, there's no 100% perfect solution, but Microsoft isn't offering that either.
6. Just straight out wrong. Most popular desktop environments have parental controls that are easily accessible. And if you're going to use Xmonad or Awesome, your kid won't be able to use it anyway
7. Linux, depending on the distribution, has plenty of paid help available for any solution. In addition, there are tons of wikis and documentation. Some may even say there's too much, if looking for a weakness. You are expected to take some responsibility for your system, but there are places to find help and if you're willing to pay for it, you can talk to a real live person for much less than MS support contracts.
8. Well, this isn't too much difference then having to learn new things between Windows versions. At the most basic level, UNIX commands and structure never changes. Root will always be root, users will be users, there will be var, and etc, and other places in the file system. The shell commands will be the same. Sure, there may be differences in packages and whatnot, but most people will be able to pick them up as easily as switching between MS office 2003 and 2007. By nature there is more variety, so MS sort of has a point here, but I really think there's more that stays the same than there is different, which is an impressive amount of standardization over hundreds of distros.

 

No one actually ever takes those quizzes the right way. They always skip straight to the quiz without ever looking at the slides and then just guess answers (longest ones are usually right). Since you can take the test as many times as necessary to pass, it's just a game of trial and error.

Then you get a hundred or so points, and trade them in for Xbox 360 games.

 

I have a friend who tells me this. I still think there's something a little off about telling employees untruths to push your product, and bribing them with games for doing so. Windows is good at certain things and they should stand on their own merits and compete fairly, rather than do this sort of thing.

 

It's just advertising. No different than Apple saying that Windows is only good for Excel or Motorola calling the iPhone a Barbie toy.

 

Really? Isn't this taking it a step (or two) further then just plain old comparative advertising?
I find it a bit silly though, 'training' BestBuy employees on Win7 vs. Linux.

However, for a Win7 license and/or some games, I'm perfectly willing to learn, for about an hour or so, that Win7 rulez & Linux suxorz.

 

Yes it's pure advertising. I posted a thread a while back about it; it's basically a training for employees who work somewhere that sells Windows. Nobody really takes it seriously though. It's kind of like those training manuals stores hand to their employees. Some take the trainings very seriously but others(usually part times) just overlook most of it.

It's not just about Linux; the whole "training" basically tells you Windows 7 is the best thing since sliced bread. It compares Windows, Linux and OSX. Basically, if you entered the quiz and chose every answer which praised Windows, you'd likely pass every single one. Mind you, there is a bit of useful info concerning the different versions, the upgrade paths(an upgrade, an "anytime upgrade" etc.) available and all that, but it's mostly for those who never bothered to learn.

And yes, you can get some games and a Windows 7 Ultimate license(that's where I got mine) from it. you can also get one of those "I'm a PC" shirts

Personally, in my work environment(Staples Canada), it's not so much brainwashing as it's a free and easy way to get Windows 7 Ultimate for the employees. Nobody really gets caught up in such "tactics"

 

Not really. Intel has a similar site, and so do many other companies. Obviously they're going to try and convince visitors that their products are superior to their competitors.

Just because most people don't know these sites exist doesn't make them special.

 

This doesn't bother me much. A person shouldn't rely on a fair and balanced opinion from a salesman. Customers who are basing their purchase solely on the opinions given by a Best Buy salesman just want to walk out of Best Buy with a computer in their hand. Since Windows is what they sell, that's what they'll get regardless of this lame training.

This is much less hair raising than tactics used to inflate the sale total. For example, pitching someone a UPS when all the customer needs is a surge protector. This isn't limited to Best Buy. Everyone does it because some fish are easy to catch.

 

Well sales will be sales. Where I work we nearly lose money with each computer we sell. Profit margin wise, we make more money selling photocopies than computers lol . Therefore, selling extras such as protection plans, installation and maintenance services as well as other things like accessories is the store's way of making their profit.

Nonetheless, I do agree that for customers shopping at mainstream stores like Best Buy and such it really doesn't matter all too much since 99% of the machines they sell carry Windows anyhow.

This would probably be better in the Windows section IMO as the Expertzone training deals as much with comparing Linux with Windows as it does with OSX so it's more relevant to Windows than Linux.

 

Pitching a more expensive product over a lesser expensive product is called persuasion.

Some companies like to call it upselling, which is a made up term. It is no different from convincing a girl that you are the person to spend time with versus all the cheap losers standing around.

I think Microsoft is being innovative. Best But employees already surf the Internet for the latest tech info. And it is not like the Internet if filled with objective info. This give the employees talking points.

 

Well it's not just for Best Buy employees; it's for any person working in a place that sells Microsoft products and AFAIK, it's not supposed to be an obligatory training either.

I don't really find it all that innovative since retail companies have ben using such "online quiz trainings" for ages now.