Robert Scoble writes

 I was just over at Slashdot and found that a Microsoft general manager is not happy that HP has partnered with Apple on its iPod and iTunes service.

You know, I've been darn supportive of Microsoft's strategies lately. But, not this time. This strategy of "whine about lack of choice" isn't a winning one.

When someone is beating you in the marketplace, the thing to do isn't to whine about choice (and, if anyone says Apple isn't winning in the marketplace with its iPod then they are drinking far better Merlot than the $5.49 Columbia Crest stuff I can afford). A winning strategy, instead, would be to give consumers a better product and if you believe you have one, tell its story and don't knock the competition!

Shortly after joining Microsoft I attended a class on interacting with customers and competitiveness, where the presenter emphatically pointed out that Microsoft has zero credibility when it tries to attack other companies for being the 800 lb. gorilla in a particular market. At the time I thought this was mind-numbingly obvious and wondered why she was wasting our time telling us what everyone should know. After two years at Microsoft I now realize I was mistaken and many worker drones in the B0rg cube have no idea what the external perception of the company is actually like.

If it wasn't so sad given that I work here I'd find it hilarious that a Microsoft executive is actually trying to pull a “freedom of choice” argument given the company's history. Of course, the folks on Slashdot had a field day with that one.