Microsoft accused of blacklisting users who call wanting XP over Vista
By Mike Ferro
There seems to be a growing number of consumers who apparently don’t wish for Vista and want XP. Petition groups are forming around the Internet. People are also calling in to Microsoft support lines and asking that the life of XP be extended beyond its expiration date this month.
I am sure Microsoft has never dreamed that it would have to fight against one of its offspring for attention in the limelight.
According to IDG, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s CEO, made a statement in April that if enough users provide feedback on Microsoft retiring XP, the company would reconsider this action.
Well, it seems that some of the public have taken that statement to heart and have started rallying against the demise of XP. Apparently, the story that’s been spreading on the Web is that Microsoft has been tracking and logging callers who call in to request that the life of XP be extended.
Callers have been complaining that Microsoft has been blacklisting them when they call, often getting a busy tone on the other end. Others speculate that Microsoft has a petition set up where if enough callers call in, the company will reverse its decision on ending XP.
IDG apparently received an email from Microsoft’s spokesperson regarding the rumors going around. The spokesperson assured IDG that the company is not blacklisting callers, nor is there a petition that might extend the life of XP.
With Microsoft stating their position on XP is final, it seems that the hope of keeping XP around is just a pipe dreams. Recently Microsoft has been aggressively pushing Vista to businesses, so it seems more likely that it just wants XP sales to stop as quickly as possible.
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June 5th, 2008
They want to end XP, but they extend it to June 30 2008.
Then they extend XP Home for the teeny laptop market.
But you see, they want to end XP.
But then they extend XP Home again this time to the weak desktop market.
But they want to end XP.
The Corporate world is staying with XP until Windows 7, thats if they stay with Microsoft products or bail out to Red Hat or some other form of Linux.
MSFT wants to end retail sales of XP Home and XP Pro which sell from $99 to $299. But are offering the weak computer market XP Home for as little as $16 each.
But MSFT wants to end XP and wants everyone to go to Vista.
Sounds like a company that might be in trouble or lacking in leadership.