> chad, this was a SICK joke. i'm boycotting the strip.
does sorta put the shoe on the other foot, doesn't it? the MS
references in UF weren't libelous in themselves, but i'd be very
interested to know if claiming.. or loudly, strongly, and
repeatedly implying.. that the strip had been subject to legal
action by Microsoft might itself constitute libel. it
definitely had a negative effect on public perception of the
company, so from my position as an amateur dabbler in the law,
it looks as if they'd have a valid claim of injury.
if MS *doesn't* take some sort of action against UF over this, it
just shows that the company is more willing to take it on the
chin than we like to think. if they do, it serves him right,
IMHO.
a basic rule for those interested in developing or supporting a
community online: status is based on reputation, and reputation
is strongly influenced by trust. Iliad played on the trust of
a lot of people who were seriously willing to go to the wall for
him, then cashed it in for a cheap joke. that was an expensive
move, so i hope he thinks the laugh was worth it.
the standard punishment for transgressions in an online culture
is shunning, as i'm sure Iliad is about to discover. it's
awfully tough to apologize and explain when people have decided
not to hear you any more. like i say, i hope he got a really
*good* laugh out of it.
the strip is off my list too. for those who want a
replacement, try:
http://www.gpf-comics.com/
it's fun.
mike stone <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 'net geek..
been there, done that, have network, will travel.
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