smackfoo.com | I find your lack of faith disturbing.

Cameron Hunt¹ writes:

Paul Thurrott, popular Windows pundit, is overzealously promoting an article he hasn’t written yet, calling Leopard “nothing to switch about.” A little preemptive to sum-up an article that’s not written yet. What if he actually likes Leopard?

It is highly reminiscent of the ubiquitous “spoilt child”, who at the worst possible moment screams “do not want!” in the middle of shopping mall during the busiest hour, of the busiest day. We’ve all seen that kind of attention seeking behaviour before. And we all know that, often, it succeeds in gaining the attention of all.

Positive or negative is irrelevant; any response is better than none. And I am sure that Thurrott’s sensationalised headline will attract the usual gamut of responses. Like this one. At least I have some comfort in the knowledge that I’m aware I’m being feed spin.

Mr Hunt also questions the point:

Also, I’m confused why a Windows “SuperSite” is reviewing Leopard.

And that is exactly the point to a summation of something yet to be written. It’s designed to trigger a reaction. Thurrott is no fool, at least not when it comes to spin². He is a well read, respected and well informed commentator with years of experience.

And he’s keenly aware of what that kind of comment will do. Drive traffic.

The timing is hardly surprising. How much interest would it have attracted two weeks ago? Or a month? Leopard hasn’t exactly been sprung upon the world.

There is a very simple cure to link baiting. Ignore it.

You’ll note I have accidentally forgotten to link to Thurrott. His comment is, well, nothing to link about. I’m quite unlikely to read the upcoming exposé primarily because the bias is clear right from the outset.

Thurrott’s growing track record on such reviews, tends to support that kind of view.

It’s like someone telling you the final³ score just before the game starts. Given we now know where Thurrott stands, right or wrong, we can move on and read reviews and material from others.

1. whom you should all subscribe to (↩)
2. although Vista worked out great, didn’t it? (↩)
3. potentially incorrect, just to spice things up (↩)