Shill-Shocked: The Dark Side of Community Discussion

I don't know what to make of this article.

First, it comes from "LinuxInsider", which as host to "Paul Murphy", has always seemed like it has ulterior motives for every article.

Second, it's hard to assert that MSFT doesn't employ shilling and astroturfing. That's pretty well-documented: http://www.inlumineconsulting.com:8080/website/msft.shilllin...

Third, On usenet, nobody knows you're a dog, as we used to say. The ability to assume any name you want blurs the boundaries of identity and the assumptions that go with it, as the hosts to "Paul Murphy" really ought to know.

It strikes me that any solution to this problem will have worse side effects than the problem the solution cures.

I'd still like major computer websites to "out" identities that claim to be pro-Linux, but can't recommend linux to friends, *and* post from a MSFT IP address. This could probably be done semi-automatically.

> First, it comes from "LinuxInsider", which as host to "Paul Murphy", has always seemed like it has ulterior motives for every article.

I noticed that a couple years ago.

Stephen J. Vaun Nickles (forgive the spelling), everywhere he wrote articles other than Linux Insider, was a forthright F/OSS supporter.

But every article I read from him on Linux Insider was a hit-piece. Anti-F/OSS barely glossed over with "I would like it, but..." kinds of equivocating.

I think some of my SJVN-Jekyll and SJVN-Hyde comments might still be searchable if you want reaffirmation about your impression about Linux Insider.

It comes from Linux Insider, which means I won't even bother clicking the Link. I refuse to be insulted by the advertisement for Microsoft software that you are forced to view before you get to the article.

I refuse to be insulted by the advertisement for Microsoft software that you are forced to view before you get to the article

Just goes to show that most DOS attacks are aiming for the wrong targets.

h

Probably a bad idea to follow-up myself, but...

The original LinuxInsider article *still* has no talkbacks posted for it.

Naturally, you can't tell if LinuxInsider is just moderating everything (or rather not moderating anything), has moderation set up but doesn't bother to ever check if talkbacks get posted, or just plain hasn't gotten any.