Sod the environment - free cabs on Microsoft!

Microsoft has come in for some criticism over the environmental impact of Vista which some studies have shown to be the most resource hungry operating system the software giant has ever shipped. Then there is the issue of all the existing machines that are not able to run the OS which will get retired during upgrades to Vista. (Microsoft has tried to point out that Vista has some energy saving functionality by way of a more effective sleep mode but the actual meat of the report wasn't that convincing). So how does a company with a struggling green rep try to boost its environmental credentials – by offering free taxi rides to work – that's how? Yep rather than encouraging commuters to walk or bike to work, Microsoft is offering commuters free taxi rides in London's Zone 1 and 2 from 7.30 to 9.30am for four weeks beginning April 10th. So for all those lazy Londoners who can't lower themselves to pile into the tube with the rest of us – or god-forbid – actually walk anywhere – Microsoft will happily subsidise your carbon emissions! Fantastic! We look forward to Microsoft PRs next gimmick – maybe Microsoft sponsored SUVs to take Chelsea school-kids the 0.3 miles to school everyday?