[capo]

You don't think it's relevant? Microsoft is paying millions to run anti-Google attack ads and smear campaigns everywhere, it's not unthinkable that they would hire astroturf to roam sites like HN, so for the sake of the health of this community they ought to be pointed out.

[threeseed]

Do you have some proof that this person works for Microsoft ?

Because if you don't then YOU are the one degrading the quality of HN with baseless allegations.

[jlgreco]

Working for Microsoft, or working at Microsoft.

Whether or not he is being paid and regardless of who their employer may be, it seems pretty clear they are working for Microsoft.

[iamshs]

Just because you are paranoid, does not give you the right to label anyone as paid for roaming a site and attacking your favourite company. This feels like the "either you are with us or them" mentality". Please, if you do not have the proof, do not go down this path. It is dangerous, and lets anyone label anyone as being a shill and paid commentator.

[pseut]

There's up and down voting for that, and probably HN's spam filtering matters too. Making comments expressly meant to derail the conversation isn't necessary or useful.

[CloudNine]

No, it is not really that relevant.

If Microsoft is paying recoiledsnake a billion dollars to make that post, does it change any of the facts in it? No? Then why whinge about possible or probably astroturfing instead of just addressing the facts in their post?

Unless you want HN to do a full background check on every poster here, it's hard to identify Google/Apple/Microsoft fans/haters/employees/shareholders. You have the option to remain silent, vote and move on if you're not interested in a post.

[capo]

I've addressed the "facts".