David Pogue takes Microsoft and bloggers to task for a program in which bloggers were given free Acer Ferrari laptops as part of a Windows Vista promotion. Pogue quotes a Times article:

“Several bloggers reported last week that they had received Acer Ferrari laptops, which can sell for more than $2,200, from Microsoft. A spokeswoman for Microsoft confirmed on Friday that the company had sent out about 90 computers to bloggers who write about technology and other subjects that could be affected by the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft’s new operating system.”

I agree with Pogue’s conclusion that the bloggers are 

“exploiting the lawless, Brave New World of the blogsophere, where, since they’re Not Quite Journalists, they don’t feel constrained by any of those pesky journalistic ethics guidelines. Like the one that says, ‘You don’t keep $2,200 gifts from the subject of your review. You might think you can still write an impartial review, but it’s highly unlikely-and either way, nobody will believe it.’

But Microsoft gets much of the blame, too. It deliberately exploited a weak spot in today’s court of public opinion: how bloggers influence consumers, but generally don’t have conflict-of-interest policies.”

Acer Ferrari Laptop, shiny and bright red, but does not influence bloggers

Recognizing that these laptops have no inherent value, I am announcing a laptop disposal program to relieve the bloggers of the nuisance of owning a computer that is of no use and does not in any way influence their attitudes toward Microsoft, Acer or Windows Vista. I urge all of the bloggers to contact me as soon as they are done reviewing Windows Vista. I will send, at no charge, a prepaid Fed Ex box so that they can send me these unwanted/unneeded laptops. I will in turn sell them on eBay and donate the full proceeds to Oxfam’s Sudan Crisis Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.