Re: Who's opinion matters to you?

Well,

One thing I AM noticing is that on at least two of the major boards I frequent - and I'm concerned to note that this is actually one of them - there is a pretty evident sudden spate of "opinion" pieces that seem to argue in favor of a switch from FCP to Premier - and then I glance at the advertising sideboard and sure enough - I see that Adobe appears to be a significant board sponsor.

Let me be clear, I'm not implying - in any way - that either site is guilty of any form of bias whatsoever. And I know that none of my personal comments - pro OR con about anything - have ever been censored either here or on the other site I'm talking about.

I do know, however, that when I worked as a columnist in the magazine industry - the best publishers and editors had an IRON CLAD division between the advertising staff and the editorial staff. Personally, as a reader in my younger days - I always wondered when a magazine suddenly published a glowing review of a product I'd never heard of before - and two pages later I saw a full page clearly paid advertisement for that same product. But I'm skeptical that way.

I do think this discussion is important since I really enjoy this community and this board - and the DIGG example is fresh in my mind - where a site had an extremely robust and trusting community which literally went from TRUSTED to BUSTED in weeks.

THAT is scary.

For what it's worth.

"Before speaking out ask yourself whether your words are true, whether they are respectful and whether they are needed in our civil discussions."-Justice O'Conner