Comments on: Free speech for corporate bloggers http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/ Data storage info & analysis Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:47:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: ICT Space » Blog Archive » Just Say "Thanks for Feedback" http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-182747 ICT Space » Blog Archive » Just Say "Thanks for Feedback" Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:09:08 +0000 http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-182747 [...] I most probably will still be on blogging hiatus for few more weeks if not for the battle of the words among storage bloggers Robin Harris, Barry Burke, and others. I guess I got embroiled by making an observational comment on Robin’s Blog post resulting in pen-lashing from Storagezilla. [...] [...] I most probably will still be on blogging hiatus for few more weeks if not for the battle of the words among storage bloggers Robin Harris, Barry Burke, and others. I guess I got embroiled by making an observational comment on Robin’s Blog post resulting in pen-lashing from Storagezilla. [...]

]]> By: Kartik http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-107012 Kartik Thu, 16 Aug 2007 21:35:17 +0000 http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-107012 Hi Tony, Thanks for the link on IBM blogging policy - an excellent set of guidelines, reinforcing IMHO the points storageanarchist has been making about the responsibilites of corporate bloggers. As someone who is about to attempt blogging myself, this information is very timely and has helped me gain perspective on what to me are uncharted territories. Cheers, Kartik. Hi Tony,
Thanks for the link on IBM blogging policy - an excellent set of guidelines, reinforcing IMHO the points storageanarchist has been making about the responsibilites of corporate bloggers. As someone who is about to attempt blogging myself, this information is very timely and has helped me gain perspective on what to me are uncharted territories.

Cheers, Kartik.

]]> By: Joe Shmoe http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-106968 Joe Shmoe Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:39:48 +0000 http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-106968 I agree, I don't think it's a first amendment issue, but Robin has a point when he says that even through the misinformation you can gain a useful insight into the storage industry, the products and the marketing. I think you have to consider the sophistication of the audience. Your readers are either CIOs and IT professionals or storage industry insiders. Anyone without the ability to evaluate a technological claim will be easy meat to any kind of marketing, I don't think blogs are any worse in that respect than straight advertising. All that said, I agree with Barry when he says that all corporate communications need to be held to be the same standard of ethics. I agree, I don’t think it’s a first amendment issue, but Robin has a point when he says that even through the misinformation you can gain a useful insight into the storage industry, the products and the marketing.

I think you have to consider the sophistication of the audience. Your readers are either CIOs and IT professionals or storage industry insiders. Anyone without the ability to evaluate a technological claim will be easy meat to any kind of marketing, I don’t think blogs are any worse in that respect than straight advertising.

All that said, I agree with Barry when he says that all corporate communications need to be held to be the same standard of ethics.

]]> By: the storage anarchist http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-106921 the storage anarchist Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:14:33 +0000 http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-106921 Great point, Tony. IBM's blogging policy is in fact an excellent example of what I am trying to underscore. It specifically directs IBM bloggers to adhere to IBM's Business Conduct Guidelines, to "avoid misrepresentation" and even to treat blogging under the same rules of engagement as the BCG defines for "competing in the field" (the entire BCG can be found here http://www.ibm.com/investor/corpgovernance/cgbcg.phtml). And I believe that's a policy that ALL bloggers should follow, not just Corporate-sponsored ones. But I'm not suggesting doing anything to shut down the free exchange of opinions and perspectives in any manner - this is why we blog. I'm not asking corporate bloggers to spotlight the faults in their products - like you Robin, I enjoy the responsibility to help out with that. Most importantly, I never said anything about curtailing the commentary - you're putting words into my mouth there. No, my only intent has been to underscore the importance of playing within the borders of honest and factual depictions of the products and topics we discuss - something most of us inherently do anyway. And collectively we have already demonstrated that we can indeed have lively and useful debate without anyone making false claims about the products they use, sell or compete with. That's all! Great point, Tony. IBM’s blogging policy is in fact an excellent example of what I am trying to underscore. It specifically directs IBM bloggers to adhere to IBM’s Business Conduct Guidelines, to “avoid misrepresentation” and even to treat blogging under the same rules of engagement as the BCG defines for “competing in the field” (the entire BCG can be found here http://www.ibm.com/investor/corpgovernance/cgbcg.phtml).

And I believe that’s a policy that ALL bloggers should follow, not just Corporate-sponsored ones.

But I’m not suggesting doing anything to shut down the free exchange of opinions and perspectives in any manner - this is why we blog. I’m not asking corporate bloggers to spotlight the faults in their products - like you Robin, I enjoy the responsibility to help out with that. Most importantly, I never said anything about curtailing the commentary - you’re putting words into my mouth there.

No, my only intent has been to underscore the importance of playing within the borders of honest and factual depictions of the products and topics we discuss - something most of us inherently do anyway. And collectively we have already demonstrated that we can indeed have lively and useful debate without anyone making false claims about the products they use, sell or compete with.

That’s all!

]]> By: Tony Pearson http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-106825 Tony Pearson Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:36:41 +0000 http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-106825 Robin, well said! Of course, each company has their own policies on blogging, here is IBM's: http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/jasnell?entry=blogging_ibm Robin, well said!

Of course, each company has their own policies on blogging, here is IBM’s:
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/jasnell?entry=blogging_ibm

]]> By: the storage anarchist http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-106730 the storage anarchist Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:49:03 +0000 http://storagemojo.com/2007/08/14/free-speech-for-corporate-bloggers/#comment-106730 I think you twisted my position a bit. Perhaps you will allow me to clarify: http://thestorageanarchist.typepad.com/weblog/2007/08/0026-free-speec.html I think you twisted my position a bit. Perhaps you will allow me to clarify: http://thestorageanarchist.typepad.com/weblog/2007/08/0026-free-speec.html

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