Scoble’s Link Blog

Robert Scoble, a manager at Microsoft, recently asked what are some little things that Microsoft could work on to help change the world, so-to-speak. So, here’s my two cents:

I’ve been reading numerous technical forums (not just Slashdot). I’ve found in many of these forums, that there have been many who rally to support Microsoft and many who downplay them around one common issue - adware and spyware.

Those who are against MS try to reason that the “average user” doesn’t know how to successfully battle adware and spyware, let alone prevent it. This gives those who despise MS the opportunity to shine light on the alternative Operating Systems - Linux or Mac - which do have less spyware infections (if you want to argue about this don’t bring it up here, that’s not what this post is about).

But, however you want to look at it - wether you think it’s simply because of the popularity and magnitude of Internet Explorer, or if you want to think it’s shoddy Microsoft programming with bad standards (again, don’t argue about this here) - it’s an issue with Microsoft. The fact that mass numbers are experiencing adware and spyware infections justifies that Microsoft needs to address this fact in some way. And they have. They’ve released an Anti-Spyware program, and have provided a few resources to look at including videos. That’s good and all, but does this “average user” really benefit from or even use any of them? In a world where I’ve seen countless people become confused with ATMs, debit card swipers, vending machines, and even web-pages, does this “average user” want to be able to solve their problems?

What I hope Microsoft will do, is appeal to this “average user” in a way that will not only provide them with solutions, but in ways that will educate and motivate them to want to prevent and solve their problems. Find out how to motivate people to want to read articles on how to prevent spyware and implement safe internet practices. Don’t rely on the technically minded to help non-technical users. Don’t just simply publish articles and hope that people are going to stumble across and read them. Give them the motivation they need so that they don’t resort to blaming the manufacturer.

Keep a permanent link somewhere visible on a highly trafficed web page, for example. Incorporate solutions within the OS to help people along and be educated, as another example. If these seem non-realistic, or even stupid, then find different ways to motivate and educate. Don’t give up until it’s a known fact that the “average user” has basic security education.

Doing this will not only help the computing industry, it will also improve public relations for MS. Give those nay-sayers a slap in the face and say, “I’m sorry, but we care about the effects it is having on our users and we’re trying to do something about it.” But, this is where not giving up on “average users” would come in handy. If efforts seemed to be in vain and MS gave up, it would only add to laughing stock, giving alternate OS supporters more reasons for hating MS.

So, my opinion on what MS can do to help: Motivate and educate your customers to solve spyware problems. Not only will this help the adware and spyware problems, but it could also lead in to other areas of concern that many users experience.

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