Microsoft rigs internet poll

AzKidd69 · January 11th, 2002, 02:40 PM

and we are supposed to be suprised?? I think not..

**Whir** · January 11th, 2002, 02:44 PM

Maybe it's like one of those "Bill Gates will give you $100 for each person you forward this too!" chain letters. Except, not.

-Whir

vass0922 · January 11th, 2002, 02:44 PM

Well most know I'm typically not a big proponent of MS, but I find it hard to believe that MS as a company would do something that stupid. Bill Gates is not a dumb man, and I dont think he would do something that obviously would not work not to mention leave a HUGE paper trail behind it.

How many decent polls allows you to cast your vote more than once? I'm not talking about a small poll in a forum, but a large poll on a site like ZDNet. Not to mention I would THINK MS would know that it sends this information from an email so that would not make any sense for them to try that tactic either.

I personally think that albeit it may be somebody from MS, but I don't think the lords upon high of MS commanded it be done.

newbie~wan · January 11th, 2002, 02:49 PM

An open source call to arms!!

EDIT: I have to agree with ya vass, but not in the aspect that they wouldn't do it, but in the aspect that they would leave no paper trail. They are very much able to do IP spoofing.

storm2k · January 11th, 2002, 03:03 PM

newbie... i don't think this is necessarily an open source call to arms. i don't think much should be. we're NOT fighting a war of open vs closed source.

anyways, java is closed source. so is .net... how could you have an OPEN SOURCE call if everything is closed source?

besides, i agree with vass... maybe it's one or two unsavory individuals within microsoft doing it, but i highly doubt bill told the troops to go out there and tip the scales. like vass said, he's not that dumb. it's much like the few individuals who insist on going to sysopt and screaming the merits of techimo and starting flame wars when that's the last thing the moderators and admins want for this place...

bdj · January 11th, 2002, 03:10 PM

I usually take comments of this nature with a grain of salt. And depending on who and or what is said that grain well vary is size.
That being said, it possible for people who work at Microsoft to be doing the poll stuffing if they do not log on from work and use some sort of alias for internet access.

This does not mean the Microsoft would condon such activities, nor express that they have any knowledge of such activities, ( " of course, Mr. Phelps, if you or any of your IM force is caught, the Secratery will disavow any knowledge !!). It is simple something that has happened. Idealistically, one could hope that such is not the case. Realistically, "Corporate America" sucks. This includes but is not limited to Microsoft. There major concern is the bottom line, and they will do what is necessary to reach that goal, hopefully not stepping on too many feet or people along the way.

I'll step down from my soapbox now.

bdj

newbie~wan · January 11th, 2002, 03:30 PM

I just wanted to get a rise outta ya storm. I knew once I saw the title of this thread you'd be here.

JimG · January 11th, 2002, 03:37 PM

LOL ... nice job newbie~wan. I was waiting to see exactly how long it took him to post here.
edit - Btw, he knows I watch stuff like this and wait to see what he'll post.

newbie~wan · January 11th, 2002, 03:43 PM

Easy with the parting shots, its all in good fun. I dont really give too much of a sh*t right now, but I am going to very soon when I'm in the work force that can actually have an effect on decision making policy. I'm just a lowly co-op in IT right now.

pbharris · January 11th, 2002, 03:46 PM

I was wondering when this would surface at TechIMO....

i am not surprised at all.

i agree with Vass that Bill or Steve said "throw this poll" , but i would not be surprised if there were some other high managers letting this activity occur w/o stopping it and probably encouraging it.