Don't let Marketing get at your firmware

http://msn-cnet.com.com/2100-1039_3-5104863.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=cdf&tag=mymsn

Walt
Monday, November 10, 2003

I read the post from Belkin that was subsequently deleted from Google groups.  The post explained their position pretty well and it was a well written response.  Of course, they weren't sorry for doing it.

This was an amazing stupid thing to do -- redirecting random HTTP connections to an "advertising" page is marketing suicide for networking equipment.  The road to hell is paved with good intentions like this one.

If they really wanted to reach non-techies they should have just included a CD-ROM in the box or just a leaflet with all the same details as their webpage.

Almost Anonymous
Monday, November 10, 2003

I suspect that they wanted it to appear that "something was wrong" and "nicely" offer a "fix" for it.

That is, the behavior was an attept at deceiving their customers.

It was added "by popular demand"? I doubt it: the only users that would understand such a "feature" would resounding vote not to have it.

New marketing idea: have user's automobile randomly turn into fast food resturants.

Hopefully, they learn that this was a really bad idea and stop doing it.

njkayaker
Monday, November 10, 2003

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