Microsoft has confirmed reports that it is equipped to train Best Buy employees in the fine art of trashing Linux -- or rather, the "important differences between Linux computers and Windows computers." Less than a week ago news broke that the software giant was "indoctrinating" Best Buy workers in preparation for the launch of its much-anticipated Windows 7 operating system.

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Whoever wants to define himself a desktop user or real enterprise customer, should know which OS is better for him/her.

This Microsoft ad is just another ad in order to create a fuss around the release of Windows 7.

(Windows 7 is a really good release)

A Linux user who knows how to use a Linux system, should recognise automatically that most of the things said on the ad are just FUD, the first impression of somebody who just booted into, for example, Ubuntu or Fedora, and hasn't used another OS before.

A desktop user's opinion shouldn't be affected by such ads without arguments, since they are biased, obviously.

Linux users, just, don't care. It should be forgotten in a week or so.

It's not an ad. It's training material for Best Buy employees. :( Did you even read the article?

I'm sure most Best Buy employees don't even know what Linux is. Being fair Ubuntu and Fedora can be a lot more work to configure than Windows, but hey it's FREE.

Does it really surprise anyone that Microsoft would spout half-truths and skew (or conveniently leave out) facts to support the sale of their own software? It IS Microsoft we're talking about, here.
Personally, I love how they make one of their points that Linux can't run Windows Live Essentials... Well, DUH! Besides, who wants that crap? WIndows Live Messenger regularly crashes computers here at work, we have all moved to Trillian to avoid the stupidity.
And they point out that Linux can't run Office... Yah, it's too bad there's not a great office package that rivals Microsoft Office, and was programmed native to Linux... What, there is? And it's FREE you say? Why wouldn't Microsoft mention that? <insert eye roll here>

Microsoft is so full of Caca its to the point of unbelievable and beyond windows xp is forever full of holes which they continually patching dont talk bout vista someone correct me is im wrong how long has it been out and now we have this wndows 7 on the horizon, huh!? as for games, software and etc.. don't microsoft pays company to just host its OS? correct if im wrong so people like linux and mac OS cant enter the ring with them. right now i have on my machine is a dual boot XP and Ubuntu and i love it i use XP to just game and i use the Ubuntu for everyday PCing linux is all right in book and i didnt have to pay arm and leg to obtain it so as im concerned microsoft sucks

Not the first training of Best Buy by Microsoft. They also provided such training for CompUSA for all the good it did them, and the Best Buy staff isn't going to be fooled. In the long run, it is good for the average computer hardware or software buyer.
I am in favor of anything that gets those Best Buy people better trained than they are currently.

Why is Microsoft afraid of Linux? I believe I know the answer. Watch the Penguin closely in the coming months.

@Matthew: It IS an ad, and I've read really well what it is.

MS is pointing out what most already know. Good for them. Nothing wrong with the points they make. All very true.

M$ must be full of republicants.
Is WINE for Linux free?

That's the training available straight from Expertzone at microsoft. That training is not JUST for BBY employees. It was designed for retail stores who carry MS products. Please do some research before posting the wrong info and making BBY look bad. The title should read something like "Microsoft "indoctrinating" tech retail employees "

While I agree the title could be more generalized and fair -- making this information available to others doesn't make the existing title any less true.

To be fair Linux is usually much easier to install and configure than any version of Windows including 7. But hey! its Open!

Well, Best Buy is almost the monopoly that M$ is in the electronics retail business. Circuit City is dead, as is CompUSA. Who else exactly does M$ have to indoctrinate? Good luck trying to teach a Walmart employee anything about an OS, Hi-Def TV or a computer. This is not the fault of the employees, but rather a question of corporate policy and focus. It does pretty much seem that when you've reached BJ's or KMart or any such retail establishment for a major electronics, you're expected to know what you're doing, and if you don't, too bad, buy something anyway. Major chain retailers realize a much greater profit margin by selling toys, back to school supplies, and Fruit of the Loom underwear, than they ever will selling Blu-Ray Players

So what, Best Buy was already full of BS spewing employees to begin with, now they just don't have to come up with it on the spot.

No, Bill Gates whispered the answer to them out of a burning bush.

So, what's wrong with a teleprompter anyway?

LOL.
Linux has a fraction of the consumers microsoft does, true, its getting more popular and easy, but I think showing powerpoints abroad like this will strengthen linux advertising to people who are unaware, and do nothing to the less informed group that can't tell a difference. And everyone else knows what they're talking about.

if that unaware crowd you spoke of switched to linux theyd switch back instantly the second they had to add a piece of hardware or wanted to play a game. the ease of use is just not ther for the mere inquisitive windows user

thats not exactly right HK, linux has garnered somewhere between 1-4% of the market (games get played with this. what they fail to report,reflect,and leave out is that of the folks who try it, most go back to windows.