Watch what you post...

Be careful about what you say regarding commercial vendors on the
internet
Someone inquired some months ago in this forum regarding a certain
commercial product. Someone responded to that question stating problems
they'd had with the product and referencing other reports he'd heard
about further problems. I asked for further details and specifically
(but not an exact quote) asked if there was a lack of support for
customers.

Recieved an email this morning from said commercial vendor regarding my
slandering the product on the internet. My message was quoted, but of
course not the whole thread.
It's since been more or less sorted out and they have advised me they
didn't consider it slander. I was advised the message had been forwarded
by a customer of theirs. I don't like it, but understand their not being
willing to reveal the little snitch. Since this group is public, it
might well have been someone just wandering through.

In no way am I accusing anyone here of being a snitch or wanting to
slow/halt the free exchange of information. Just want to make everyone
aware that words typed and posted can come back to haunt.
Everyone involved agrees it's not a big deal, but it's taken several
long distance phone calls and half a dozen emails to settle
things down.

My point in this post is a warning to be carefull here and anywhere else
on the net regarding criticism of commercial vendors. Many companies are
out looking for slander. It could be from a very unhappy customer, to a
company trying to hurt it's competitors. Companies obviously are taking
this seriously. If you have to criticize a company, better make sure of
your facts and stick to them. If you really want to slam them, do it
privately.

Jon Anderson