Open Source Word-of-Mouth Advertising

An anonymous reader writes "Plenty of corporations are willing to hire shills to generate buzz for a new product. But what people don't need to be paid to promote? Boston company BzzAgent found that their volunteers promote products simply because it makes them feel good. The NYT Magazine interviews several 'agents'. The volunteers cite the feeling of being 'on the inside', like sharing opinions with others, and enjoy feeling altruistic. Has Madison Avenue figured out what open source developers knew all along?"

Re:incentive is not always about money

[Walt Dismal]

This is why I run naked through Starbucks shouting "I LOVE my new HP computer with an Intel processor and Microsoft operating system! I love my X-Box!" It makes me feel like I'm getting the attention I deserve while influencing my peers.

BzzAgent sounds wrong.

[Anonymous Coward]

Lets call them buzzards. I think that's a better name. Tar and feathers for the lot of them, I say!

In action...

[mishmash]

No one's paying me to post www.subservientchicken.com/ but I do.... it must be a good example of what we're talking about...

Cue porn soundtrack... Now

[CodeWanker]

Gabriella asked a manager why there was no Al Fresco sausage available.

I got your Al Fresco sausage right here, Gabriella Bay-bee!

Re:incentive is not always about money

[Soko]

True enough.

Whenever I can, I link to my friends book [oreilly.com] - which was featured [slashdot.org] on Slashdot last month. I do keep things on-topic of course - I don't want to shill his book, just point out every instance where it would be helpful - like "Clearing viruses from Windows? It's easy with Knoppix - go get this book to show you how." in respone to a lament about a tough to get rid of infection.

Since I'm advocating a purchase, I am advertising, but moreover trying to be helpful - to my fellow /.ers as well as my friend.

Soko

Re:Can't beat True Believers

[gonaddespammed.com]

You meant g3nt00, surely? Gentoo is actually a very good distribution, very well documented. There is a lot of useful information in their forums aswell, just a matter of sifting out the good stuff. Pitty emerge sync's take so long though.

Re:incentive is not always about money

[Eric Giguere]

you could just shamelessly push your product on Slashdot pretty much every post you get

Surely nobody does such a thing!

Eric
Buy my upcoming book [ericgiguere.com] | Buy my previous books [ericgiguere.com] | Learn why Vioxx reduced spam [ericgiguere.com]

Re:If people actually believe in the product

[Anonymous Coward]

Exactly.

That's why I choose Microsoft. With 20 years of unbelievable[1] quality, Microsoft stands in a class all it's own[2]. I cannot say enough good things about Microsoft[3]. It's a world leader in providing solutions[4]. No-one ever got fired for buying Microsoft products[5]. With new DRM technologies, you can be sure that your computer will be taken care of[6]. And with Microsoft's shared source, you can be part of the exiting future Microsoft has laid out for us all[7]. God bless Microsoft[8].

---
[1] It's hard to believe that they have quality
[2] No-one wants to stand near them.
[3] I can't say anything good at all.
[4] To problems no-one needs to solve.
[5] They get fired for installing them.
[6] By the RIAA and BSA.
[7] For the small price of your soul.
[8] 'Cause no one else will