Microsoft likes happy bloggers

Microsoft was in the holiday spirit, and perhaps, in the mood to get coverage for its new operating system.

Last week, the company teamed up with microprocessor maker AMD to distribute some flash and tinsel to influential technology bloggers. They were given Ferrari-branded laptops with enough hardware to rank among the best machines for running Windows Vista.

Some of the bloggers bragged about the swag, but didn't disclose where it came from, raising questions about the motives of Microsoft's patronage and the ethics of the bloggers who received it.

Blogger Brandon LeBlanc, challenged the notion that receiving a laptop would influence his Microsoft-focused blog.

"Have I been bribed? I don't feel like it. I don't feel pressured to say nice things about Vista because of the laptop. I can't even get it to connect to my wireless network in my own home," he wrote Friday.

Then, it appeared Microsoft was asking that the laptops be returned.

We asked Microsoft for an explanation.

"The machines were part of an 'ongoing outreach' program and were meant "to encourage them to experience the product and to solicit their valuable feedback, offering full disclosure that no editorial commentary was expected as a condition of acceptance," wrote Joscelyn Zell, a vice president with Edelman, one of Microsoft's primary PR firms.

Furthermore, she said, originally the company told the recipients that it was their decision to keep or return the laptops or give them away "to their community."

As the volume of chatter on the Web rose last week, a Microsoft employee followed up with some of the bloggers to reiterate the company's position about disclosure, Zell wrote.

In the end, Zell wrote, the policy remains the same: It's up to the bloggers to do with the laptops what they will.

It was just the kind of story to fill the news vacuum in the week between Christmas and New Year's.

Ring my bell

Music can reflect our moods and guide us through good times and bad.

We learned this week what Jobster CEO Jason Goldberg is listening to as company leaders plot strategy to become profitable in 2007 and rumors swirl:

"Survivor" by Destiny's Child; "Dirty Laundry" by Don Henley; "I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Hudson; "Stronger" by Kristine W; "Come Together" by The Beatles; and "One" by U2.

We have a few guesses about what might be on the iPod of another embattled CEO — the guy in the black mock-turtle down in Cupertino where he was exonerated by his own board over the stock-option stuff. "Lawyers, Guns and Money" by Warren Zevon. "I Fought the Law" by The Clash version. "Mo Money, Mo Problems" by Notorious B.I.G.

Seeking validation

Naveen Jain, who was sued by InfoSpace shareholders for insider trading, may be trying to take his latest venture Bellevue-based Intellius public.

Founded in 2003, Intellius sells personal background reports over the Internet. InfoSpace remains a publicly held company in Bellevue and provides search services online and mobile phone service to carriers.

Bloomberg reported Friday that Intellius is hiring an executive to manage the company's dealings with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Chief Financial Officer Paul Cook said it could be a precursor to an IPO. "Being a public company gives you credibility," he said.

Why would Jain, who was fired from InfoSpace in 2002, need credibility?

Perhaps, because InfoSpace ended up receiving about $83 million in a settlement involving the suits related to him.

Download, a column of news bits, observations and miscellany, is gathered by The Seattle Times technology staff. We can be reached at 206-464-2265 or biztech@seattletimes.com.