Re: The Barkto Incident

[Mitch Stone <mstone@vc.net>]

In reply to Brett Glass's message sent 4/11/98 10:47 PM:

>It hinders productive discussion which might lead to concerted action.
>

Certainly, it can raise the frustration level beyond the tolerance point 
for some people. But that seems like a great deal of effort for a dubious 
payoff. I've been in enough online discussions over the years to know the 
simple utility of filtering out the truly obnoxious and disruptive. Most 
people do.

The Microsoft culture certainly appears to be mean-spirited enough to 
rationalize throwing stink bombs into the opposition's camp, but they're 
also obviously bottom-line oriented enough to cause me to wonder how it 
might be justified, in terms of a measurable return.

>
>Yep. They're called the Advertising Department and the Editorial
>Department. ;-)

Precisely!

   Mitch Stone
   Editor, Boycott Microsoft
   http://www.vcnet.com/bms 
 +---
   No one--not Microsoft, another company or the government--should
   be allowed to deprive Americans of real choices in how they 
   spend their money. --- Robert Dole, U.S. Senator, retired