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Tech Site Journalism Reaches All-Time Low

By / / 11 Comments / Sites, Technology

I know almost all sites are currently struggling for revenue but I am thoroughly disgusted at the way some tech sites are employing click-bait to elicit more responses and comments. More and more tech sites are sacrificing honesty and accuracy for the sake of attracting more readers through controversy and sensationalism. The shame of it all is that it appears to be working out for them.

I’ve just read an article on a well-known tech site where the author is whinging about being forced to install a ”new app” in Windows 10. I quote:

If I told you that my entire computer screen just got taken over by a new app that I’d never installed or asked for — it just magically appeared on my desktop, my taskbar — you’d probably tell me to run a virus scanner and stay away from shady websites, no?

But the insanely intrusive app I’m talking about isn’t a piece of ransomware. It’s Microsoft’s new Chromium Edge browser, which the company is now force-feeding users via an automatic update to Windows.

Never in my life have I read so much twaddle. This article is clearly aimed at garnering a response from the Microsoft bashers, of which there are plenty, and is so far off the mark as to be almost laughable.

Let’s Set Things Straight!

Microsoft Edge is NOT a ”new app”. Every Windows 10 comes with the Edge browser already built-in and what the author is talking about is merely an update from the old Edge to the new Chromium-based Edge. The new Chromium-based Edge is not only a far better browser than the original Edge, but it is also a replacement for a browser that is no longer under development.

”Insanely intrusive” is a gross exaggeration and deliberately inflammatory language:

  1. The update merely replaces the old Edge shortcut that is already pinned to the Taskbar by default with a newly designed icon specific to the new Chromium Edge browser.
  2. Many newer versions of software, and particularly completely new builds, will open a window at the completion of installation to run the user through the new features and help them familiarize themselves with the new version. This is not abnormal behavior. It is, in fact, very normal behavior.

There are literally millions of Windows users who would never think to, or perhaps know how to, manually download and install the new Edge browser and, as far as I am concerned, Microsoft is doing them a favor by automatically replacing an older, no longer supported piece of software with the newer, far superior version. Certainly not a disservice as that article implies.

I am so sick and tired of this perennial Microsoft bashing, it’s become almost like a new sport. These sites have nothing new to write about so they fall back on a standard approach that they know is bound to create a response, lace it with inflammatory language, inaccuracies, and half-truths and then pass it off as journalism. If they’re so p*ssed off with Microsoft, why don’t they just dump Windows altogether and install Linux or macOS instead?

Sorry, but when I read pieces of crap that are patently sacrificing honesty and quality merely to induce more clicks and hence more revenue it rankles me no end.

FURTHER READING:

Cheers… Jim (AKA cranky old man)

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11 thoughts on “Tech Site Journalism Reaches All-Time Low”

  1. Leo Notenboom

    Hi Jim,

    I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s more than just Microsoft bashing, though there’s a fair amount of that. I’ve seen it repeatedly for many major brands (aka targets).

    There are certain publications (who shall remain nameless) that clearly, repeatedly, and consistently post horrific click-baity headlines to articles covering what are, essentially, non-issues for most people. I find myself clarifying to my own audience all the time that it’s nothing to worry about, totally expected, not evil, etc. etc. etc..

    Very much like the Edge issue you discuss here, just about any change, or heaven help us, a bug, is blown way out of proportion … for clicks.

    I’m so glad to know I’m not alone.

    [Ask] Leo

    1. Jim Hillier

      Hi Leo,

      So nice to hear from you mate, and gratifying to know you are in agreement.

      Great minds do indeed think alike. 🙂

      Cheers… Jim

  2. Mindblower

    That’s a good one Jim. These words “it just magically appeared on my desktop, my taskbar” clearly are from someone who is unaware of how M$ delivers security updates. Guess this person also never knew how to uninstall. Sad when tech writers expose their lack of knowledge and blame others, Mindblower!

    1. Jim Hillier

      Hey MB,

      Yes, although I believe it is more about click-bait than lack of knowledge. You’d be surprised if I named the responsible Tech site, which I cannot do for obvious reasons.

      Cheers mate… Jim

  3. Mark H.

    I don’t recall off the top of my head which tech site it is, but I saw and read the article. It certainly gave the impression that the author had no idea what he was talking about.

    1. Jim Hillier

      Hey Mark,

      Did you happen to notice the number of comments posted in response to that article? Almost 400 comments when I last looked with the majority agreeing with the author. So, it appears to be working for them.

      Cheers… Jim

  4. JoninOz

    Hi Jim,

    I am sure I can pin-point the referred click-bait site, and I get the irrits with ‘techies’ who add loads of waffle because they believe in their own minds that it makes them appear to have indisputable knowledge on every subject which they choose to promote.
    Too many have the smart-a**ed, stupid attitude of whoopee-do Linux over yucky Windows whatever the edition, but it’s not hard to pick that they generally have little knowledge of the O/S’s of both products.

    Regards from a GOG…. 😉 (grumpy old git)

    Jonno

  5. Jonatrhan

    I also had the update and it took a few minutes trying to work out how to get out of the transfer settings etc stuff before a shutdown and restart.

    OK so not so much to complain about IF you ‘know what you are talking about’ and treat computers as a hobby or profession rather than a tool to do jobs.

    I started with Netscape and never used a microsoft browser for more than a trial day, before changing back to Firefox or chrome. I just don’t have the time to change and learn something new.

    I am sure that many will just say I’m lazy and a microsoft basher – I’ve tried Linux a few times and don’t have the time or energy for a new hobby….

    Before anyone does have a go. We have now been shielding since March. My wife is bed bound and needs attention every 4 hours day and night. Our granddaughter is in hospital in Oregon (we are in Wales) and will be for a few more months. I am also a disabled person on the highest rates of assessment in the UK for both Care and Mobility.

    I neither need or want a new browser and object to turning on my laptop and finding it had taken over my system.

    I have used Windows in all its incarnations since Win 95. I think it is marvelous and it would take a big price hike to get me to use anything else. I also have no patience with the ‘All YOU have to do…..’ followed by a load of tech jargon spoken only by Linux lovers.

    Basically I bought windows 10, I set it up as I want it and how I find it easiest to use. The browser intrusion equates to a car manufacturer changing a car that you have bought from automatic transmission to manual while you slept.

    We agree on many things Jim but this one we have to disagree.

    1. Jim Hillier

      Hey Jonathan.

      Nobody here is going to “have a go” at you. You are fully entitled to your opinion. That said, most software automatically updates itself these days, including Firefox. In the case of Edge, it is a somewhat unique situation in that Edge has been completely rebuilt from the ground up.

      The browser intrusion equates to a car manufacturer changing a car that you have bought from automatic transmission to manual while you slept.

      Not quite, it equates to a car manufacturer changing a car you have bought from an old, worn out automatic transmission to a brand new, far superior automatic transmission while you slept.

      I agree with one thing Jonathan… I agree to disagree. 🙂

      I sincerely hope things turn around for the better for you. Hang in there mate.

      Cheers… Jim

      1. Jonathan

        I didn’t think you were having a go at me Jim Just pointing out a different view on the situation after turning on my laptop at 4a.m. and trying to get my head around what microsoft were doing this time. I can laugh about it now but at the time through my drooping eyelids it was a bit scary.

        Perhaps a better example would be taking away my Ford with all the extras and providing me with a brand spanking new GM without any extras and having to use different gas etc….. OK I admit it I hate change

        Thanks for the good wishes, we survive and that’s better than the alternative.

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