Barney's Blog

Blog archive

The Dark Side

When journalists move to PR or marketing, it's called "going to the dark side." I'm not sure what you call it when an independent analyst becomes a Microsoft shill -- hopefully, you can at least call it a pay raise.

Former analyst Michael Gartenberg -- by all accounts a good and smart guy -- is now a Redmond product evangelist (I've always been a bit offended by the evangelist title, not for its religious connotations, but because it just seems so darn arrogant).

As soon as the news broke, critics crawled out of the woodwork saying Gartenberg was hired to dispense disinformation.

I say it's a free country and if a smart guy wants to get paid for explaining Microsoft's virtues, then good for him. Tell me where I'm wrong at [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on February 26, 2007


Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.

Most   Popular