Comments on: Microsoft Vs. Bloggers In Accusations of MSN Spaces Censorship http://maisonbisson.com/blog/post/11462/microsoft-vs-bloggers-in-accusations-of-msn-spaces-censorship A bunch of stuff I would have emailed you about. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:20:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Narg http://maisonbisson.com/blog/post/11462/microsoft-vs-bloggers-in-accusations-of-msn-spaces-censorship#comment-177936 Narg Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:40:36 +0000 http://maisonbisson.com/blog/post/11462/#comment-177936 Blogs are not the new avenue for free speech that most think they are. Most blog spaces are owned and controlled by private industry. These private companies DO NOT have to adhere to the US Constitution, as they are not government owned or controlled. It's up to the companies to decide what is decent and acceptable behavior for it's own space. It is NOT public space, it is private space. And it's 100% up to the owners to control their own space. Just like many folks would not like for someone to stand in their own house and spout foul language, I would expect a company to do the same in their own house, guests or no guests. Guests of any space or abode have an expectation to do as the owner of that space wishes. Do they not? If you don't like the house, then you are obviously invited to leave. And griping about it only makes it worse, as the person who gripes seriously looks like an egotist, caring only about themselves and not the owners of the space they are invited into. So, what's the real problem? The owners of the space you've been invited to be a part of? Or the lack of respect for the owners' wishes for the use of THEIR space? Think about it. I'm sure there are a LOT of blog spaces that would allow 100% open and free expression of thoughts. I personally appreciate that Microsoft stands for some decency. Not that I'm one to be decent at all times, but I do enjoy visiting places that I have an expectation of what I'm seeing and visiting. If all places were "open" to all types of content, then how could you expect to feel welcome in any place at all? Basically, if Microsoft want's to control the content of THEIR space, then it's their choice. Not ours. Our choice is simply to use it or not. Not to bitch about it. Blogs are not the new avenue for free speech that most think they are. Most blog spaces are owned and controlled by private industry. These private companies DO NOT have to adhere to the US Constitution, as they are not government owned or controlled. It’s up to the companies to decide what is decent and acceptable behavior for it’s own space. It is NOT public space, it is private space. And it’s 100% up to the owners to control their own space. Just like many folks would not like for someone to stand in their own house and spout foul language, I would expect a company to do the same in their own house, guests or no guests. Guests of any space or abode have an expectation to do as the owner of that space wishes. Do they not? If you don’t like the house, then you are obviously invited to leave. And griping about it only makes it worse, as the person who gripes seriously looks like an egotist, caring only about themselves and not the owners of the space they are invited into.

So, what’s the real problem? The owners of the space you’ve been invited to be a part of? Or the lack of respect for the owners’ wishes for the use of THEIR space? Think about it. I’m sure there are a LOT of blog spaces that would allow 100% open and free expression of thoughts. I personally appreciate that Microsoft stands for some decency. Not that I’m one to be decent at all times, but I do enjoy visiting places that I have an expectation of what I’m seeing and visiting. If all places were “open” to all types of content, then how could you expect to feel welcome in any place at all?

Basically, if Microsoft want’s to control the content of THEIR space, then it’s their choice. Not ours. Our choice is simply to use it or not. Not to bitch about it.

]]> By: Should Universities Host Faculty or Student Blogs? (part 1: examples and fear) « MaisonBisson.com http://maisonbisson.com/blog/post/11462/microsoft-vs-bloggers-in-accusations-of-msn-spaces-censorship#comment-84988 Should Universities Host Faculty or Student Blogs? (part 1: examples and fear) « MaisonBisson.com Wed, 27 Sep 2006 17:41:08 +0000 http://maisonbisson.com/blog/post/11462/#comment-84988 [...] Branding consultant James Torio explains: “Blogs are effective for disseminating information because they have similar characteristics to word of mouth.” But also counters that, for those who understand it, the blogosphere responds to correction and facts in ways word of mouth never did. As an example, he offers Microsoft’s deft handling of the MSN Spaces censorship controversy. Microsoft felt the backlash from the blogosphere, and to their credit they did not issue press releases or create new advertisements for damage control, rather a blogger [joined] the conversation; he worked with Microsoft’s customers and listened to what they had to say. [...] [...] Branding consultant James Torio explains: “Blogs are effective for disseminating information because they have similar characteristics to word of mouth.” But also counters that, for those who understand it, the blogosphere responds to correction and facts in ways word of mouth never did. As an example, he offers Microsoft’s deft handling of the MSN Spaces censorship controversy. Microsoft felt the backlash from the blogosphere, and to their credit they did not issue press releases or create new advertisements for damage control, rather a blogger [joined] the conversation; he worked with Microsoft’s customers and listened to what they had to say. [...]

]]>