Re: Biased and factually incorrect headline on PC Week Online

[John Robert BEHRMAN <jbehrman@netropolis.net>]

Of course, members of this list may wish to complain about ZD spinning the Microsoft/DoJ
story, but do not imagine it will accomplish very much.

Ziff-Davis from <PC Magazine> to <PCWeek> is puff-journalism and barely credible on
technology, much less economic/political issues in the opinion of this reader.

The contrast between ZD and IDG (InfoWorld) is simply breathtaking.

And, so are the results: InfoWorld has a more select and selective, more important and
knowledgable readership. InfoWorld is worth paying for. Publisher Bob Metcalfe and I
exchange political/academic/regional volleys all the time, a regular battle of Little
Round Top. But, like any old Confederate, I love this modern Joe Chamberlain, a patriot,
a scientist, a scholar, and a gentleman from Maine.

I have tremendous, unabashed respect for InfoWorld. It is simply superior and more
valuable journalism in every way. Its leadership are actually talented engineers and
scientists who also write well. It is not a gang of flacks who could as easily be
flogging tires or ready-to-wear through the magic of re-write.

ZD has the greater readership and ad revenue. But, in my kids words, "I pity the fool"
who takes them seriously on any matter.

Thanks to Brett Glass for his participation in this forum & PLAYON JRBehrman sends.....

Brett Glass wrote:

> At
>
> http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/
>
> and also at
>
> http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/news/0119/22aagree.html
>
> PC Week reporter Michael Moeller writes about the settlement under the headline
> "Microsoft did not flout preliminary injunction." This headline implies a ruling by
> the judge when in fact no such ruling was made. What's more, it is clear that, had
> Microsoft truly believed it had a strong  case, it would not have settled with the
> DOJ. The headline is therefore both incorrect and highly misleading -- the sort
> of thing one might exptect to see on Microsoft's home page rather than in a prominent
> and respected trade publication.
>
> Those who favor accurate reporting on the issues might want to drop Michael a line
> at mailto://michael_moeller@zd.com. It might also be worthwhile contacting his
> editors, John Dodge and Eric Lundquist, at mailto://john_dodge@zd.com and
> mailto://eric_lundquist@zd.com, respectively.
>
> --Brett Glass