I wrote awhile back about the CMP.LY website that allows bloggers to quickly link to an appropriate disclosure statement that describes how they may be connected or influenced to write their posts.

I begin to wonder exactly who these changes are protecting? One person commented on my cmp.ly post about he just wanted to post a link to the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution that says I have free speech and can say whatever I want?

Don’t most people expect that there could be some strings or the potential for a person to have received something at a discount or completely for free that might impact their opinion of a product? Is it also too far-fetched of an idea to think that an individual could still provide an honest opinion of a product regardless of their connections?

Do we really need regulations and government involvement to protect us from people who are potentially no different than some individual standing on a street corner spouting whatever information they wish without retribution or regulation?

Post from: EveryJoe

Blogger Disclosure Changes Debate

David states that Microsoft paid at least $150,000 for this little marketing effort (90 laptops at $1500 + s/h + Vista OS = $150,000+/-). I for one serious doubt Microsoft paid anywhere near $1500 for each of those laptops. You’ve got to think there’s some benefit in it for Acer to be promoting their Ferrari laptops. We’re talking Acer here. I’ve never thought of them or recommended them as a laptop option for myself or friends that asked me about what kind of laptop they should buy. It’s always been a Sony, Toshiba, Compaq, Dell or something like that. Not Acer.

However, if I had been one of the “chosen” ones to receive a loaded Acer laptop with Vista pre-installed and had a wonderful experience, I wouldn’t have been just talking about Vista. I would have been speaking about the great hardwar I received as well. So, $1500 per laptop from Acer? Microsoft didn’t pay that, I’d be surprised if they paid a third of it per laptop.

David goes on to suggest that the real problem here is whether or not Vista is an upgrade worthy OS option. After all, there are still people using Me and 98 right? Of course, there are also people still watching B/W TV’s, listening to cassette tapes and records, and they don’t have cell phones.

Some people have no desire to upgrade anything in their lives and don’t see the importance. It’s been quite awhile since there’s been a new OS from Microsoft, and there’s been plenty of hardware development in the meantime. I’m sure there will be plenty of people interested in upgrading.

Post from: EveryJoe

Vista Ferrari Debacle Isn’t About Ethics