PSoTD

Amanda Marcotte is going to be the Blogmaster/blogatrix at John Edwards’ presidential campaign blog. Among many others, Roxanne from Rox Populi will be guest blogging at Pandagon. All good.

There really are no other words to use.

I did not know that Stuart Malina, Music Director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, had a blog. Now you know too.

The Dark Wraith does not appreciate receiving unrequested email from the Hillary Clinton campaign. I can't say I blame him.

Interesting blog post commenting on the BBC's lack of coverage on the newest Tony Blair scandal.

Hey, I'll be blogging over at Suburban Guerrilla some now as well. Different but similar kind of stuff from me.

Michael is trying to start up a West Shore Drinking Liberally.

Sounds good to me! Let him know if you agree.

Yup, it's that time - the 7th Annual Weblog Awards. I think Ryan Seacrest is emcee. You have until January 10th to submit your favorite blogs for various categories.

BTW, this blog is still mainly a secret. Ask anyone!

Microsoft isn't very sophisticated about blogging, are they...

Microsoft's efforts to woo influential bloggers by sending them free computers loaded with the Vista operating system is generating controversy, with some online writers attacking would-be Vista reviewers for taking what were tantamount to bribes, while recipients defend their editorial independence, arguing that journalism-style rules prohibiting such gifts are outdated.

Bloggers who acknowledged receiving the computers as part of the joint Microsoft and AMD marketing program include Mary Jo Foley, Om Malik, Michael Arrington, Ed Bott and others.

In total, Microsoft and AMD gave away 90 PCs, all loaded with the highest-end version of Windows Vista, the 64-bit Ultimate edition. Most received Acer Ferrari laptops that list for between US$2,000 (AUD$2537) and US$2,400 at retail stores. Others received media centre desktops made by Velocity Micro.

In letters accompanying the computers, which arrived last week, bloggers were given the option of returning the hardware to Microsoft, keeping it or disposing of it in some other way. "Microsoft has been very open and transparent," said a Microsoft spokeswoman. "There is no expectation of any editorial payback."

Jason Calacanis, founder of blog network Weblogs and an entrepreneur-in-residence at the Sequoia Capital venture capital firm, called the PC giveaways "payola" and "bribes" that respectable bloggers should refuse.

As for those relatively big name bloggers, I would have thought they would have had better sense than to compromise their image.