Nvidia Using Trolls to Promote Products on Forums

[zippyjuan]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/editorial/display/nvda-accusations2006.html

Nvidia Corp. Monday faced charges over hiring fans to communicate with computer enthusiasts in forums and communities, get needs and requirements of hardware users for the graphics processors developer, share the technical information with the end user, pre-test software and hardware and, possibly, create positive image of Nvidia’s products in computer forums. The firm has admitted some of the actions, but denied other allegations.


Long article.

[Grimm]

Wait... they actualy hired people to advertise their products?!?! That has to be illegal!
Then, using people to find out what the customer wants, and even worse, providing technical support! Unforgivable!

And testing the software and hardware.... what is this world coming to???

[zippyjuan]

I think the issue is that they are paying people to go onto forums to generate positive buzz about their products without telling others on the forum that they are being paid to do it. Other businesses including the music industry do it too. You may not be getting an honest opinion about a product (or it may be from an idiot in the first place so take most recommendations with a grain of salt anyways).