POLL ADDED: AEG and NVIDIA's "Viral"'outreach programme' targets Forums

[apoppin]

dp

 

[Zstream]

ridiculous, Rollo . . . attack the messenger with ridicule . . . troll tactic.

and i am not making a "mountain" out of anything. i posted NEWS and the rest of the forum members "went with it" . . . by being an original poste, i became a "target" for nVidia fanboys [and AEG] . . . and i must defend myself. . . . and yes, viral adveritising does offend me


Dude it is just Rollo, ignore him like most of the members here. He is a troll and always will be. GEA SYAP OLLOR

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: geo1

Originally posted by: solofly
At the very least Anand's user-base has grown. I see Ati supporters joining up left and right due to this thread. lol

It's a real shame that folks feel a need to fit this topic into the hoary old ati vs nv paradigm. If ATI is doing this as well they oughta stop the secret aspects as to membership. In fact, I've been disappointed that they haven't taken the opportunity of the public controversy to make a statement on the matter that they aren't doing it. That also isn't a good sign. Tho we do know that the Catalyst folks are free to tell people they are in the program, and that is the entirety of what I've been advocating as a minimum for AEG to do.

all we know is that nVidia employs AEG for viral marketing to stealthly "advertise" on our forum. i would/will be just as down on ATI if it became know they had taken this low-road.

i don't see ATI making any kind of an "official" announcement . . . or nVidia for that matter.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: apoppin
all we know is that nVidia employs AEG for viral marketing to stealthly "advertise" on our forum. i would/will be just as down on ATI if it became know they had taken this low-road.

i don't see ATI making any kind of an "official" announcement . . . or nVidia for that matter.

They learned from seeing the mistakes made by the U.S. Military The moment the military says "we can neither confirm or deny"....

No way would I allow a public response to this unless the outcry becomes great enough to make it compelling to do so.

 

[geo1]

Originally posted by: SexyK
And geo1, you cannot spread falsehoods about a person/corporation simply because they haven't 'made an effort to tell you the truth.' They have no obligation to tell anyone anything about their business if they dont want to, and that doesnt give people a free pass to make these kinds of accusations.

No, you're right. Inelegantly stated on my part. What I meant is that they'd prolly need to say "your statements here, here, and here [insert quotes from me] were inaccurate and harmful to our business. Quit that or else." And in telling me what things I've said are inaccurate as to the facts, they have indeed said something of what their program is by saying what it isn't. Not as good as just saying what it is, of course, but it would be something.

Not that I'd enjoy getting such a letter just for that little hint on what their program consists of.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: apoppin
all we know is that nVidia employs AEG for viral marketing to stealthly "advertise" on our forum. i would/will be just as down on ATI if it became know they had taken this low-road.

i don't see ATI making any kind of an "official" announcement . . . or nVidia for that matter.

They learned from seeing the mistakes made by the U.S. Military The moment the military says "we can neither confirm or deny"....

No way would I allow a public response to this unless the outcry becomes great enough to make it compelling to do so.

IF nVidia cared to clear this up, they'd simply make an official announcement distancing themselves from these unethical viral marketeers. That or disclose.

INSTEAD, we see the nVidia fanboys [and evidently AEG themselves] stepping up the attack on EliteBastards.com and anyone who speaks out against this crap.


But they can't fool the majority of members here . . . the poll rusults should be sending a CLEAR message to nVidia and whoever else is using or considering Viral marketing: We DON'T like it.

Why should ATI do or say anything? i imagine they are learning from this thread and those like it on other forums.

edit:
i'd LOVE to see a letter from nVidia's lawyers "correcting" any errors or omissions . . . probably to EliteBastards.com . . . as they are the originators of this news . . . but that'd be an admission and generate even more negative publicity.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: geo1

Originally posted by: solofly
At the very least Anand's user-base has grown. I see Ati supporters joining up left and right due to this thread. lol

It's a real shame that folks feel a need to fit this topic into the hoary old ati vs nv paradigm. If ATI is doing this as well they oughta stop the secret aspects as to membership. In fact, I've been disappointed that they haven't taken the opportunity of the public controversy to make a statement on the matter that they aren't doing it. That also isn't a good sign. Tho we do know that the Catalyst folks are free to tell people they are in the program, and that is the entirety of what I've been advocating as a minimum for AEG to do.

all we know is that nVidia employs AEG for viral marketing to stealthly "advertise" on our forum. i would/will be just as down on ATI if it became know they had taken this low-road.

i don't see ATI making any kind of an "official" announcement . . . or nVidia for that matter.

I don't think you will hear a peep from ATI condemning Nvidia for this, because there is always the potential for their own exposure if they are in fact doing a similar thing and will look like hypocrits. Unless of course they want to take the gamble that no one will dig deep enough to find out.

I'd like to emphasize what SexyK said before about AT not getting any revenues for this type of advertising. I think it would even be a greater wrong if AT actually took compensation for this. Because that would mean they could be bought just like any other shill.

 

[apoppin]

IS this for real?

NVIDIA Corporation - Santa Clara, California
PROMOTIONS / VIRAL MARKETING MANAGER
Varied Products - 2D / 3D Graphics Software
Sales / Marketing Duties: Direct Mail, Guerrilla Marketing, Promotional Campaigns / Packaging Materials, Special Event Creation
. . .
Job Description and Responsibilities:
. . .

RESPONSIBILITIES:
-Work closely with NVIDIA?s Brand Marketing Managers to develop and execute promotional campaigns around product objectives. Depending on the product, audience and timeframe, this may involve a number of different tactics including email/online marketing, guerrilla marketing, consumer events, etc.. . .

I guess they like the term guerrilla marketing . . . as i guess, in War . . . and

AND Here

NVIDIA (Santa Clara, CA) seeks a Promotions/Viral Marketing Manager who will be responsible for conceptualizing and executing viral promotional campaigns.

Do a Google search

EDIT
it looks like nVidia is COMMITED to viral advertising AND MAY DUMP aeg TO DO IT in-house

 

[geo1]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: apoppin
all we know is that nVidia employs AEG for viral marketing to stealthly "advertise" on our forum. i would/will be just as down on ATI if it became know they had taken this low-road.

i don't see ATI making any kind of an "official" announcement . . . or nVidia for that matter.

They learned from seeing the mistakes made by the U.S. Military The moment the military says "we can neither confirm or deny"....

No way would I allow a public response to this unless the outcry becomes great enough to make it compelling to do so.

IF nVidia cared to clear this up, they'd simply make an official announcement distancing themselves from these unethical viral marketeers. That or disclose.

INSTEAD, we see the nVidia fanboys [and evidently AEG themselves] stepping up the attack on EliteBastards.com and anyone who speaks out against this crap.


But they can't fool the majority of members here . . . the poll rusults should be sending a CLEAR message to nVidia and whoever else is using or considering Viral marketing: We DON'T like it.

Why should ATI do or say anything? i imagine they are learning from this thread and those like it on other forums.

edit:
i'd LOVE to see a letter from nVidia's lawyers "correcting" any errors or omissions . . . probably to EliteBastards.com . . . as they are the originators of this news . . . but that'd be an admission and generate even more negative publicity.

Wouldn't any threatened lawsuit against EB run the risk that they *wouldn't* fold, and therefore you'd have "discovery" made part of the public record?

I keep saying this is a communications company we're talking about. All most of us are asking for is that they start communicating with the very people they claim to be in charge of "community outreach" to. What a dangerous concept that must have tons of lawyers thrown at it to beat it into the ground --that people are asking a communications company to communicate. That would be so much less painful, protracted, and destructive for all involved than some lawsuit.

But, y'know, I'm done over here. Thanks for giving an occassional poster here a fair reception. Ciao.

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: geo1

Originally posted by: solofly
At the very least Anand's user-base has grown. I see Ati supporters joining up left and right due to this thread. lol

It's a real shame that folks feel a need to fit this topic into the hoary old ati vs nv paradigm. If ATI is doing this as well they oughta stop the secret aspects as to membership. In fact, I've been disappointed that they haven't taken the opportunity of the public controversy to make a statement on the matter that they aren't doing it. That also isn't a good sign. Tho we do know that the Catalyst folks are free to tell people they are in the program, and that is the entirety of what I've been advocating as a minimum for AEG to do.

all we know is that nVidia employs AEG for viral marketing to stealthly "advertise" on our forum. i would/will be just as down on ATI if it became know they had taken this low-road.

i don't see ATI making any kind of an "official" announcement . . . or nVidia for that matter.

How do you know they are currently doing this on the AT forum? Because they may or may not have contacted a forum member awhile ago? A lot of guilty by suspicion going on here (which is funny because that was the name of a movie based around McCarthism).

Secondly Why do you think ATI hasn't Slammed this. Either they don't have a problem with this type of advertising, or they also in fact using this tatic as well and by slamming Nvidia they would create an even bigger backlash if proof ever came out that they were doing the same thing.

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: Markbnj
I understand that most of the people posting on this thread, anyway, disagree. But I'm honestly clueless as to why. Giving away products to create buzz is a time-tested marketing tactic, and in twenty years in the technical business I never heard anyone use the kinds of analogies that have been used in this thread to describe it, which include everything from scamming a company by returning a chip you wrecked to McCarthyism.

I think I brought up McCarthy first? And I used it in reference to the response some here have had to this "news", and not concerning the tactic itself.

You and I are like minded on this subject, and I think between the two of us, we will get through to some here that this isn't some devilish new plot by nvidia, but a tried and true marketing/advertsing tactic that if not already used by most large corporations, inevitably will be.

Tried? Yes. True? No.

People who receive free hardware from manufacturers in order to spread their opinion of said company are receiving payment for doing so. Therefore they are now employed, in some manner, by that company and their statements in matters related to the products produced by that company or its competitors are now suspect.

To be ethical, a person should be REQUIRED to sign a statement that they will disclose their involvement with the company offering the incentive to anybody who inquires and their identity should be publicly available on the sponsor company's website.

Proven failure to reveal their involvement when asked would result in withdrawl of the incentive plus a fine.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: geo1
But, y'know, I'm done over here. Thanks for giving an occassional poster here a fair reception. Ciao.

Good to have you over here for a bit :beer: I lurk on B3D, never post.

BTW, a few examples of why I think it is strange that when nV is involved it is time to "get a rope!"

Inq did a facetious article on viral advertising years ago Text and more recently on the xbox360 Text just a few of many that turned up quickly.

BTW, when did EB put this up? one of the other first hits I got was from some folks down under mentioning viral marketing of nV hardware the middle of last month Text

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: Markbnj
I understand that most of the people posting on this thread, anyway, disagree. But I'm honestly clueless as to why. Giving away products to create buzz is a time-tested marketing tactic, and in twenty years in the technical business I never heard anyone use the kinds of analogies that have been used in this thread to describe it, which include everything from scamming a company by returning a chip you wrecked to McCarthyism.

I think I brought up McCarthy first? And I used it in reference to the response some here have had to this "news", and not concerning the tactic itself.

You and I are like minded on this subject, and I think between the two of us, we will get through to some here that this isn't some devilish new plot by nvidia, but a tried and true marketing/advertsing tactic that if not already used by most large corporations, inevitably will be.

Tried? Yes. True? No.

People who receive free hardware from manufacturers in order to spread their opinion of said company are receiving payment for doing so. Therefore they are now employed, in some manner, by that company and their statements in matters related to the products produced by that company or its competitors are now suspect.

To be ethical, a person should be REQUIRED to sign a statement that they will disclose their involvement with the company offering the incentive to anybody who inquires and their identity should be publicly available on the sponsor company's website.

Proven failure to reveal their involvement when asked would result in withdrawl of the incentive plus a fine.

Why so the Person can from that point be accused of selling out and being paid off by Nvidia, ATI , Intel, or AMD to pimp their stuff. Honestly I think anyone offered free hardware and information materials should accept it whether or not they have to sign a NDA forbidding them to disclose how they got the hardware. I think its great that any company would do this, its on level with a giveaway (or for AMD a Tour) and hope that one day they will think I am a good enough poster to deserve such reward. But for some reason everyone assumes the worst and that those people become a bunch of trolls. And if thats the Case their information should be easily discarded like you guys already did with Intellia, Turtle, and Turtalia (Fingure Pointing to baned Trolls should be fine right?).

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Topweasel

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: geo1

Originally posted by: solofly
At the very least Anand's user-base has grown. I see Ati supporters joining up left and right due to this thread. lol

It's a real shame that folks feel a need to fit this topic into the hoary old ati vs nv paradigm. If ATI is doing this as well they oughta stop the secret aspects as to membership. In fact, I've been disappointed that they haven't taken the opportunity of the public controversy to make a statement on the matter that they aren't doing it. That also isn't a good sign. Tho we do know that the Catalyst folks are free to tell people they are in the program, and that is the entirety of what I've been advocating as a minimum for AEG to do.

all we know is that nVidia employs AEG for viral marketing to stealthly "advertise" on our forum. i would/will be just as down on ATI if it became know they had taken this low-road.

i don't see ATI making any kind of an "official" announcement . . . or nVidia for that matter.

How do you know they are currently doing this on the AT forum? Because they may or may not have contacted a forum member awhile ago? A lot of guilty by suspicion going on here (which is funny because that was the name of a movie based around McCarthism).

Secondly Why do you think ATI hasn't Slammed this. Either they don't have a problem with this type of advertising, or they also in fact using this tatic as well and by slamming Nvidia they would create an even bigger backlash if proof ever came out that they were doing the same thing.

No, i don't think ATI has taken this low-road . . . nVidia is COMMITTED to Viral Advertising . . . they ADVERTISE for an in-house Promotions/Viral Marketing Manager . . . i am guessing they are dumping AEG . . . do a Google search . . . No ATI job requests for "Viral Marketing Managers".


ATI doesn't NEED to say anything - they stand - so far - unaccused. otoh, nVidia DOES.

and we KNOW that AEG planted moles here - this is a relatively "important" forum .. . M$ Games glowingly stated there isn't a message board too small or remote to be "neglected" by AEG's "management".
:thumbsdown:

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Creig

Tried? Yes. True? No. I'll choose terms more carefully so others won't pick them apart

People who receive free hardware from manufacturers in order to spread their opinion of said company are receiving payment for doing so. Therefore they are now employed, in some manner, by that company and their statements in matters related to the products produced by that company or its competitors are now suspect.

To be ethical, a person should be REQUIRED to sign a statement that they will disclose their involvement with the company offering the incentive to anybody who inquires and their identity should be publicly available on the sponsor company's website. Ever been under NDA? I have, and no one forces you to do it. If you don't like the terms, don't sign it, it really is that simple. Ethics are a personal thing so you can decide to be ethical or not by signing the NDA or not. What you suggest sounds like regulation, something I am against from a big goverment perspective. If you mean corporations should do this to be ethical corporations, my only question is, how's the weather in fantasy land?

Proven failure to reveal their involvement when asked would result in withdrawl of the incentive plus a fine.

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Topweasel

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: geo1

Originally posted by: solofly
At the very least Anand's user-base has grown. I see Ati supporters joining up left and right due to this thread. lol

It's a real shame that folks feel a need to fit this topic into the hoary old ati vs nv paradigm. If ATI is doing this as well they oughta stop the secret aspects as to membership. In fact, I've been disappointed that they haven't taken the opportunity of the public controversy to make a statement on the matter that they aren't doing it. That also isn't a good sign. Tho we do know that the Catalyst folks are free to tell people they are in the program, and that is the entirety of what I've been advocating as a minimum for AEG to do.

all we know is that nVidia employs AEG for viral marketing to stealthly "advertise" on our forum. i would/will be just as down on ATI if it became know they had taken this low-road.

i don't see ATI making any kind of an "official" announcement . . . or nVidia for that matter.

How do you know they are currently doing this on the AT forum? Because they may or may not have contacted a forum member awhile ago? A lot of guilty by suspicion going on here (which is funny because that was the name of a movie based around McCarthism).

Secondly Why do you think ATI hasn't Slammed this. Either they don't have a problem with this type of advertising, or they also in fact using this tatic as well and by slamming Nvidia they would create an even bigger backlash if proof ever came out that they were doing the same thing.

No, i don't think ATI has taken this low-road . . . nVidia is COMMITTED to Viral Advertising . . . they ADVERTISE for an in-house Promotions/Viral Marketing Manager . . . i am guessing they are dumping AEG . . . do a Google search . . . No ATI job requests for "Viral Marketing Managers".


ATI doesn't NEED to say anything - they stand - so far - unaccused. otoh, nVidia DOES.

and we KNOW that AEG planted moles here - this is a relatively "important" forum .. . M$ Games glowingly stated there isn't a message board too small or remote to be "neglected" by AEG's "management".
:thumbsdown:

Thinking a little High and mighty of this place you visit. So your only Proof that this their are in your words "moles" here is based solely on your precieved size of anandtech. You think because this site is big that they must be here, thats nice, I bet because of the size of this forum that we might have true terrorists here as well. (I don't seriously think this one bit, but it is just wrong as your statement).

As for ATI, They have gotten their hands really dirty in fights with Nvidia past and present, just like Nvidia has done with them. Why all of a sudden with a 57% (your poll) Disaproval rating of Nvidias "tatics* would they not make a public announcement going over how "unethical" this Viral Marketing is, Slander Nvidia, and Denounce the personal use of this same Tatic. I would Think Ati would come out of this smelling better then a thousands Roses, yet they keep their mouth shut why? I don't like to accuse sommebody or some bussiness with out direct proof, but with how wide spread this type of advertising is I serious doubt a company in a huge marketing war with Nvidia would have left the word of mouth market alone.

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Why so the Person can from that point be accused of selling out and being paid off by Nvidia, ATI , Intel, or AMD to pimp their stuff.

They ARE being "paid off" in the form of free hardware. If community respect means more to them than free hardware then, by all means, take the freebies. But I want to know if the person giving me advice might have some ulterior motive for making their particular recommendation on how to spend my money.

 

[geo1]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: geo1
But, y'know, I'm done over here. Thanks for giving an occassional poster here a fair reception. Ciao.

Good to have you over here for a bit :beer: I lurk on B3D, never post.

BTW, a few examples of why I think it is strange that when nV is involved it is time to "get a rope!"

Inq did a facetious article on viral advertising years ago Text and more recently on the xbox360 Text just a few of many that turned up quickly.

BTW, when did EB put this up? one of the other first hits I got was from some folks down under mentioning viral marketing of nV hardware the middle of last month Text

Okay, so last last.

Thanks for the welcome. Y'know, I don't think anyone has seen me focusing on the word "viral" in all this (obviously others have, and please note AEG's own website uses the word to describe their services offered). It surely is a god-awful word to use for such things tho, isn't it? You'd think communications companies would find something better. I tend to think "guerrilla marketing" as a catch-word buzzphrase got us off on a path of nasty buzzphrases in marketing, but that's just my opinion.

And, frankly, I don't think all "viral" marketing concepts are equally morally questionable in their intent and/or execution. But when you start including legally-enforced secrecy on the "carriers" of the "virus", then, yeah, I'm definitely going to start squirming.

As to the links, I believe EB posted on last Friday.

 

[KristopherKubicki]

Before I worked at AT, one of the marketing companies I did work for basically paid people to be shills -- and this was 6 years ago. I certainly don't doubt that this goes on all the time - probably more than you think. I'd probably like to see it reported somewhere a little more partial than EB before pointing fingers... but eh.

Kristopher

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Why so the Person can from that point be accused of selling out and being paid off by Nvidia, ATI , Intel, or AMD to pimp their stuff.

They ARE being "paid off" in the form of free hardware. If community respect means more to them than free hardware then, by all means, take the freebies. But I want to know if the person giving me advice might have some ulterior motive for making their particular recommendation on how to spend my money.

There has been nothing to prove that these promotional materials recieved are anything but pieces to be judged by, as apposed to your theory that they are clear cut bribes with no other intention then to force the Poster to do their bidding.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: geo1

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: geo1
But, y'know, I'm done over here. Thanks for giving an occassional poster here a fair reception. Ciao.

Good to have you over here for a bit :beer: I lurk on B3D, never post.

BTW, a few examples of why I think it is strange that when nV is involved it is time to "get a rope!"

Inq did a facetious article on viral advertising years ago Text and more recently on the xbox360 Text just a few of many that turned up quickly.

BTW, when did EB put this up? one of the other first hits I got was from some folks down under mentioning viral marketing of nV hardware the middle of last month Text

Okay, so last last.

Thanks for the welcome. Y'know, I don't think anyone has seen me focusing on the word "viral" in all this (obviously others have). It surely is a god-awful word to use for such things tho, isn't it? You'd think communications companies would find something better. I tend to think "guerrilla marketing" as a catch-word buzzphrase got us off on a path of nasty buzzphrases in marketing, but that's just my opinion.

And, frankly, I don't think all "viral" marketing concepts are equally morally questionable in their intent and/or execution. But when you start including legally-enforced secrecy on the "carriers" of the "virus", then, yeah, I'm definitely going to start squirming.

As to the links, I believe EB posted on last Friday.

Then those Aussies already equated viral marketing with Spam before this hit? Guess they are a little more savy about advertising tactics there?

BTW, I don't like guerrilla term, sounds too similar to gorilla Viral sounds really nasty too though.

As I mentioned above, no one makes you enter into such a NDA, you do it of your own accord. So IMO the individuals who "sell out" their ethics are the real "bad guys" here. I am not for a nanny state approach to corporations where they have to protect me, I can handle myself. And that includes percieving when I am being sold snake oil or not, and by whom.

Thanks for bringing another reasonable voice to the debate too :beer:

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: KristopherKubicki
Before I worked at AT, one of the marketing companies I did work for basically paid people to be shills -- and this was 6 years ago. I certainly don't doubt that this goes on all the time - probably more than you think. I'd probably like to see it reported somewhere a little more partial than EB before pointing fingers... but eh.

Kristopher

nV is on the top of the clients list, so the finger pointing needs no more sources of confirmation IMHO KK.

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: Topweasel

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Why so the Person can from that point be accused of selling out and being paid off by Nvidia, ATI , Intel, or AMD to pimp their stuff.

They ARE being "paid off" in the form of free hardware. If community respect means more to them than free hardware then, by all means, take the freebies. But I want to know if the person giving me advice might have some ulterior motive for making their particular recommendation on how to spend my money.

There has been nothing to prove that these promotional materials recieved are anything but pieces to be judged by, as apposed to your theory that they are clear cut bribes with no other intention then to force the Poster to do their bidding.

No, there isn't. That's why I said the person's opinion would be "suspect" and not "outright lies". But the whole goal of viral marking is to have those people "evangelising the product to other members of their community."

That doesn't sound like they're looking for an honest opinion to me.

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: Topweasel

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Why so the Person can from that point be accused of selling out and being paid off by Nvidia, ATI , Intel, or AMD to pimp their stuff.

They ARE being "paid off" in the form of free hardware. If community respect means more to them than free hardware then, by all means, take the freebies. But I want to know if the person giving me advice might have some ulterior motive for making their particular recommendation on how to spend my money.

There has been nothing to prove that these promotional materials recieved are anything but pieces to be judged by, as apposed to your theory that they are clear cut bribes with no other intention then to force the Poster to do their bidding.

No, there isn't. That's why I said the person's opinion would be "suspect" and not "outright lies". But the whole goal of viral marking is to have those people "evangelising the product to other members of their community."

That doesn't sound like they're looking for an honest opinion to me.

We have already determined the Viral Marketing was poor phrase to use, what makes you think that this just isn't one of the same things. Most of these marketing phrases and corparate structuring phrases are never meant to be heard no matter what it actually entails. Anyone remember the BestBuy Evil Customer policy they tried to use about 2 years back, their points where just and their business plan made sense but everyone got their panties in a twist because they refered to some (a select few) customers as Evil.

 

[solofly]

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Honestly I think anyone offered free hardware and information materials should accept it whether or not they have to sign a NDA forbidding them to disclose how they got the hardware. I think its great that any company would do this, its on level with a giveaway (or for AMD a Tour) and hope that one day they will think I am a good enough poster to deserve such reward.

You got it! I would love to get free stuff instead I got to pay for it out of my pocket.