Microsoft, Dell, HP, and NDA?

**Chris Leckness** · 03-22-05, 05:19 PM

In the wake of some news floating around the internet, the question of ethics, free speech, and NDAs starting flying around all over. This post is to clarify "my" position on these issues. As many of you know, I run Aximsite.com and iPaqHQ.com. This is a weird marriage, I agree, but it works out. Microsoft is the common denominator between the two sites.

NDA?
I am only under one NDA between the two sites. This NDA is with Dell. This NDA is not real restrictive, as It only prohibits me from talking about and sharing info on up and coming Dell Devices. Not really a big deal, I can post links to other sites that "uncover" info, I can allow this discussion in my forums, etc.... Now I am willing to sign similar NDAs with HP and Microsoft as well, but Microsoft has not asked me and HP wanted me to sell the farm. ( see link )

I have always allowed posts about unreleased HP devices, but was willing to stop for the above mentioned NDA. Since this was handled in the wrong way, I still have no problems posting unreleased HP info. Like I said earlier, I would cease if HP would have me sign a legitimate NDA. There are several things that I can guarantee:

Any links to illegal roms or links to sites hosting or linking to these roms will be removed.
I will never sell out the user’s right to post legal info and/or discuss legal info in our forums. If you want to post a link to a site with pics of an unreleased Axim, go for it, it’s not likely that I will post it on the FrontPage though.

What does an NDA do for us, the users?
Not too much directly to be honest. What it does is allows us to remain in contact with Dell, offering suggestions, getting solutions, and getting the "correct" info at the right time. It also allows us to get a review model several weeks before release. This means we can provide a thorough review to be available at the time of release. There are lots of arguments that will follow this, but this is the way I think it works best.
If an NDA was to be signed with Microsoft, I am sure that it would benefit the site as well. No, we couldn't post screenshots of the new OS to get good press, but we could provide Microsoft with direction and input to hopefully help in updates and/or future releases.

Bottom Line, Aximsite and iPaqHQ are community websites that focus on forum discussions and reviews more than news and being the one to provide the internet "the scoop". I am willing to live with this. I think that 80,000 Aximsite and 12,000+ iPaqHQ members would ultimately agree that the sites are better with the choices I've made on these matters.>>

Where can I get this info if you aren't going to post it?
There are several sites that do a great job keeping you updated on unreleased info. Search around, you'll find them. Some of them are great sites. I think our sites are great as well, we just focus more on community and the forums than being investigative reporters.

How is posting "Unreleased Info" about HP any different than posting Microsoft "unreleased Info"?
Honestly, it’s not much different. Either way its proprietary info that s
omeone broke NDA to acquire.

03-22-05, 05:34 PM

Your the Commissioner and you've gotten us where we are. If you're looking for support on your position, I stand where you stand. Tally ho.

v2drinkers · 03-22-05, 06:32 PM

Having read your post here and the posts at IpaqHQ you have my full agreement on your stand Chris.

What you have managed to achieve so far in these forums needs to be applauded and I am sure we all agree that you would only do what is best for the site and the PPC community in general:approve:

symonphoenix · 03-22-05, 06:33 PM

I think that the majority of the 92,000 users you have combined will probably have enough common sense to see that you've made the right choices. I fully support your decision in this matter, having had a few NDA's of a different sort in my past that I regret signing.

We're with you commish!

LarryNJ · 03-22-05, 07:12 PM

I'm behind you 110% Chris. Your certainly a man of principal & integrity . Kudos to Dell for recognizing that and hopefully Microsoft will realize that you could be beneficial to them making better products for their mobile division.

cnycompguy · 03-23-05, 03:06 AM

I don't know what prompted this topic, but your reasoning is sound and this community is bettered by your judgments. needless to say you have my support in these matters.

**Frenchy** · 03-23-05, 07:38 AM

Well said Chris, this valuable information was needed. You have done a great job so far and getting Microsoft recognition would be great for the communities. I hope this happen soon.

Catkin · 03-23-05, 07:53 AM

As a relative newcomer to the PPC world through my purchase of an Axim x50v and the subsequent A02 ROM update problems, I'm happy to add my penny's worth to other comments - this is an excellent site, mixing good helpful & practical advice with news and stories of interest to all us PPC users (not just Axims).

And a good site has to have a lot of hardwork behind the scenes, which will rely on trust and contacts to help keep the site users up-to-date. The trust no doubt has to be a two way process, which is obviously in every site users interest, as well as Chris's and the manufacturers.
If a story is totally incorrect, then sure remove the posting, but rumours are the life blood for all us prospective users and upgraders - I've already bought two bits of software on the basis of snippets about possible new updates / releases! Maybe I'd not have bought Dell if I saw rumours of a new Ipaq (but then again, maybe not) - so rumours can be good for business.

So, well done to Dell for seeing the benefits, and let's hope that commonsense reaches the laptops of some of the other manufacturers and suppliers.

As always - brilliant site - keep up the hard work!:approve:

professor-d · 03-23-05, 08:19 AM

Sounds reasonable to me. Thanks Chris!

psionandy · 03-23-05, 08:41 AM

Thanks for the hard work you've put in.

And thanks for the being open about the NDAs.

If i was wearing a hat I would take it off to you :)

03-23-05, 10:03 AM

Chris

You already know my thoughts :) - HERE

Dennis · 03-23-05, 03:51 PM

I like the current approach. When I read a review here or see something "news worthy" reported, I can pretty much take the info to the bank.

IMO you have taken the high road. Let the other sites scrounge around for the insider info. Half (more?) the time it is complete BS...

deftech · 03-23-05, 08:42 PM

Couldn't agree more. When I read info at a lot of the "other sites," I don't what I can trust as accurate and what I should take with a grain of salt. But when new is posted on the frontpage here, I know that it's generally going to be from a very reliable source and can be trusted as accurate.

Keep up the great work. And by all means, enter all the NDAs that you want as long as you feel that they'll make the information here better for the community.

MrFlyFishinDad · 03-24-05, 10:19 PM

Sounds like a plan. HP's NDA seems to have no benefit. Keep up the good work.