An editorial by InfoWorld’s Ed Foster takes a good hard look at how Microsoft’s actions are speaking a whole lot louder than its words: A punitive puppeteer?.

The shift in Microsoft’s focus from licensing to services will change the way it does business with its customers, both corporate and consumer — and not necessarily for the better.

For example, the fine print of Front Page 2002’s license has been tightened up to stop Microsoft’s customers from criticizing it using its own software:

” ‘You may not use the Software in connection with any site that disparages Microsoft, MSN, MSNBC, Expedia, or their products or services… ‘ the license reads in part. Good thing InfoWorld doesn’t use FrontPage 2002 to post this column, I guess.”

Here’s how “disparage” is defined at Dictionary.com:

“To speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle.”

“To reduce in esteem or rank.”

“To dishonor by a comparison with what is inferior; to lower in rank or estimation by actions or words; to speak slightingly of; to depreciate; to undervalue.”

Doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for objective criticism or invaluable customer feedback.