OLPC blog draws fire for failure to disclose

<p>lol.</p> <p>"contaminated weed" - i think intel's been getting into it.</p> <p>pepe: great job.</p> <p>everybody else: get real. read olpcnews, especially wayan's thread on this *important* story.</p> <p><a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/commentary/olpc_news/olpc_news_conspiracy_theory.html"><a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/commentary/olpc_news/olpc_news_conspiracy_theory.html">http://www.olpcnews.com/commentary/olpc_news/olpc_news_conspiracy_theory.html</a></a></p>

Posted by: daniel 15 Jan 2008

<p>Andy, dude what part of PLAYING TROLL you didn't get (see my last few posts).</p> <p>Rule #1 of the internet, always check the other side of the story. A quick look to the OLPCNews site would give any body a simple answer: Someone is smoking contaminated weed.</p> <p>But I got bored ... wanted to see who took the bait.</p>

Posted by: Pepe 15 Jan 2008

<p>Been reading the blog for a while, and it has celebrated the XO laptop reaching people. It's been a catalyst to establish XO user groups in Washington and San Francisco. OLPC has its problems, and yes, they are pointed out. Sounds fair to me.</p>

Posted by: Tracker 14 Jan 2008

<p>So Pepe, you posted two opinions and one verifiable fact. If Intel were to confirm that Wayan Vota was not an employee, would you change your other two opinions?</p>

Posted by: Andy 14 Jan 2008

<p>In case somebody didn't understand my last post here is the translation:</p> <p>Got bored, decided to play troll.</p>

Posted by: Pepe 14 Jan 2008

<p>Jim, my agenda is to maintain a conspiracy alive and tickle the neurons of the dumb and dumber.</p> <p>In other words ... I was bored.</p>

Posted by: Pepe 14 Jan 2008

<p>People impersonating me? Or me impersonating others? Ha! Now this conspiracy theory isgetting good. </p> <p>Pepe, as you go off your rocker, do me a favor, link back to OLPC News so I at least get some traffic from your ramblings. </p> <p>Like this: <a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/commentary/olpc_news/olpc_news_conspiracy_theory.html"><a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/commentary/olpc_news/olpc_news_conspiracy_theory.html">http://www.olpcnews.com/commentary/olpc_news/olpc_news_conspiracy_theory.html</a></a></p>

Posted by: Wayan 14 Jan 2008

<p>Wow! Could you please supply the sources for your "facts?" And the only posts that defend Wayan are only written by Wayan. I can assure you I am NOT Wayan. What is your real agenda Pepe? <br /> Who really shot JFK?<br /> What are your credentials in writing style analysis? Is it possible that the "same words" used by the "single person with multiple 'wayne friendly' personalities" might be words such as "you are an idiot?"</p>

Posted by: Jim 14 Jan 2008

<p>FACT #1- Trying to pass a "personal blog" as an official website by hijacking the company's name shows the lack of integrity and ethical morality of the person. If "wayne" were a decent person, he would donate the URL name to the OLPC and would publish his alleged "personal opinions" in a real personal blog page.</p> <p>FACT #2- Buying Google ads for an alleged personal blog shows that the there is nothing personal about it. To the contrary, by trying to Google bomb the OLPC name he is showing intention to inflict harm to a non-profit project by FAKING an official news site that badmouth their product.</p> <p>FACT #3- Wayne IS an Intel employee who just happens to be working on a competing product. A product that by all account (most reputable analysts) is inferior to the XO even with faster hardware specs (faster is not always better).</p> <p>One last note: all this people who allegedly know wayne use the same style of writing, and even the same words. Could it be a single person with multiple "wayne friendly" personalities??</p>

Posted by: Pepe 14 Jan 2008

<p>Wayan (whom I also know personally) is deeply interested (and has been for quite some time) in the ICT for development space. The OLPC project, because of its ability to garner public attention, greatly impacts this space. His blog has always been balanced. Although it appears critical at first glance it is because the OLPC project is wrought with issues that need to be addressed or it will not be successful. It is easy to say that anyone in the ICT4D community has "worked with" Intel, AMD, HP, Microsoft and many other leading organizations that explore technology opportunities in the developing world. It's a surprising small world of people who care about this stuff and have cared long before OLPC came out. While Wayan likely has colleagues in all of these organizations AND in the OLPC organization, it does not mean his arguments are not valid or that he "is bought". Read the blog, follow the project, learn something....the OLPC technology is pretty cool. The implementation and business model associated with it has issues. For those of us who care about this sort of thing...we hope Negroponte fixes it because it will impact not only this project but many other efforts to get technology into the developing world. That's what the blog is about.</p>

Posted by: cvoisine 13 Jan 2008

<p>There is a huge difference between "posting negative opinionated" articles about INTEL and purposely trying to hijack a company's name by making an alleged "personal blog" look like an official OLPC website.</p> <p>If the website was called "waynesblog.com", maybe we could believe the obvious lies. But instead wayne tried to hijack the OLPC name just to trash the product he is competing. It is the same cheap stunt that the fake "Open Document Foundation" tried by hijack the ODF name just to trash the standard and make money from naive sponsors.</p>

Posted by: Pepe 13 Jan 2008

<p>I believe wayan posted MANY negativ opinionated posts on olpcnews.com about INTEL !</p> <p>Just check it our for yourself... go to olpcnews.com and click on Intel in the categories.</p> <p><a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/sales_talk/intel/"><a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/sales_talk/intel/">http://www.olpcnews.com/sales_talk/intel/</a></a></p> <p>I do believe that Wayan is in fact more on OLPCs side. He just has some strong opinions about OLPC's leadership.</p>

Posted by: aaron 13 Jan 2008

<p>Hi All,</p> <p>I do love the espionage here. </p> <p>Funny, I just read this story...</p> <p>"Today's Lesson: Do Not F**k with the Negroponte Brothers."</p> <p>That's @ <a href="http://fussnotes.typepad.com/plexnex/2008/01/do-not-fk-with.html"><a href="http://fussnotes.typepad.com/plexnex/2008/01/do-not-fk-with.html">http://fussnotes.typepad.com/plexnex/2008/01/do-not-fk-with.html</a></a></p> <p>I see Intel taking a big hit. Plus, the guy mentioned here.</p> <p>Cool!</p> <p>JJMacey<br /> Phoenix, Arizona<br /> www.jjmacey.net</p>

Posted by: JJMacey 13 Jan 2008

<p>Wow!! Not only is "wayan" coming up with the cheapest excuses he can come up in a few minutes, he is also using multiple names to try to make it look like others are defending him. Trying to fake multiple users is just totally pathetic (and easy to spot). </p> <p>Dude, give it up. You got caught with your dirty hand in the cookie jar. Time to walk way with your tail between your legs.</p>

Posted by: Pepe 13 Jan 2008

<p>The issue is the non-disclosure. What is, or isn't, on the site is immaterial. If he's going to be giving opinions on an issue the right thing to do would be to disclose the conflict. And working for Intel on a competing project is a conflict that, intentionally or not, may color his opinions. The reader is entitled to be aware of this conflict.</p> <p>Turn it around, someone sets up a blog bad mouthing Intel, discussing the anti-trust lawsuits. It appears to be the writings of an individual. Then we find the person not only works for AMD, but is on their legal team working on the anti-trust lawsuit. Would you be offended that that "minor" detail had been omitted?</p> <p>I would expect so.</p>

Posted by: Remo 13 Jan 2008

<p>Sounds like the people criticizing Wayan have never read his blog. If they actually spent some time reading what he has to say, I believe they would come to the same conclusion that I have. Wayan Vota cares deeply and profoundly about the One Laptop Per Child Program. He is dedicating every minute of his spare time to helping it to succeed. When that involves criticism, that is given; when it involves praise, that also is given. What better friend can a project have than one who tells the truth?</p>

Posted by: Alice 13 Jan 2008

<p>It seems to me that Wyan is as critical of Intel as he is of OLPC. In addition, if you take the time to actually get past the OLPCNEWS and go to the forum, you'll find that it has performed a real service to those who participated in GIG1 program by offering them a place to share information, make complaints, suggestions, and offer improvements to the OLPC effort. I'm slightly baffled by the "bash Wayan" effort." If you find what he says to be so upsetting, then just stop reading the blog.</p>

Posted by: Jim 13 Jan 2008

<p>Itis inappropriate to compare Wayan's blog to journalism. Both his methods and his writing violates just about every rule of ethical journalism. What Wayan has put out is by definition called propoganda. </p> <p>Given that it appears that he has financial connections to the OLPC's most significant competitor, worked on a competing project, and has no benign explanation for his actions (including the Google ad buys), there is a prima facia case that the purpose was to intentionally cause harm to the OLPC project. </p> <p>From a legal perspective, this guy could find himself in deep legal doodoo. Certainly Steve Jobs and Apple have buried critics for far less. It is obvious even to a layman that this is not honest and fair critical comment, but a hatchet job. A good question is: how much was spent on the adword buys, and where did the funding for this project, including the adword buys, come from? A little financial forensics on the part of OLPC's legal team could turn up some interesting insights. If it was Steve Jobs or Apple he was dissing, you can bet he would be sued and all of his financial records would be subpoena'd in the Discovery process. </p> <p>After reading about this, I'm going to encourage everyone I can to boycott Intel. Intel is becoming the DeBeers of the semiconductor industry.</p> <p>It is sickening to see a project for good trashed because of a corporation's self-centered greed, or because of some sycophant's personal, self-centered agenda.</p> <p>I think everyone should also consider encouraging the OLPC to take legal action.<br /> It is unlikely that either a judge or a jury would buy Wayan's explanations. And the Discovery process may well find actionable connections between this project and Intel.</p>

Posted by: C.W. Juhl 13 Jan 2008

<p>Wayan writes what he thinks. Just like PJ of Groklaw does. PJ is not a committee of IBM lawyers, it would be absurd to think so after reading all her writings. Wayan is not a shill for Intel, read his articles and it would be absurd to think so. He is not an unbiased reporter. I have never met one of those. He has a blog, which is turning into something a bit more than a blog (not sure what though). He accepts guest articles (I wrote one) which make it more of a group blog with an editor. I always took the word "independent" in the subtitle to mean "independent from the OLPC foundation", not "independent from Intel and every other possible influence in the world"<br /> Most newspapers have editorials where the opinion of the editor is expressed. I don't always agree with the opinion of the editors of the papers I read. That doesn't stop me from reading them and thinking about what they have to say. Critical thinking is a useful skill.<br /> I find the Google ads thing curious too. Did you ever think of asking Wayan how that was funded? or whether the income from the adverts on the site is greater or less or equal to the expenditure on the Google ads? A bit more journalism and a bit less sensationalism would be good.</p>

Posted by: Alan Bell 12 Jan 2008

<p>As perhaps the only person commenting here who has actually met Wayan (he used to be my upstairs neighbor in DC), you all should just settle down. As I started to read this story I totally thought "oh sweet, they're nailing this guy good". Then out of the blue I saw they were writing about Wayan... end of story. Guys, he doesn't need a corporate agenda to put this much time into olpc... he's just like that, a super-crazy energetic bundle-of-energy freak of nature. He blogs about everything down to the smallest details (look at the belly-button window for christsakes!! :) Anyway, whatever, no one will believe me anyway, but you're all barking up the wrong tree.</p>

Posted by: Rob 12 Jan 2008

<p>Wayan appears to have an agenda. Every article he writes has something negative about the OLPC. He even takes personal OLPC-related photographs from flickr and puts sarcastic comments. No even respect for the photograph license (attribution, or even non-commercial)</p> <p>Is he so thick?</p>

Posted by: WithoutAgenda 12 Jan 2008

<p>Wayan is a freak.<br /> He combs the web and blogs all the time looking for any hint of criticism of the OLPC laptop or Negroponte, using Google alerts probably.<br /> OLPCNews is a total fucking joke. The $100 laptop (with a cost of $400) is turning into a joke, too, unfortunately thanks to Negroponte's lack of tact and the bug ridden Sugar OS.</p>

Posted by: YeahRight 12 Jan 2008

<p>Wayan:<br /> "So I wonder if anyone realizes this post is a year old? As in Jan 2007."</p> <p>Yet here you still are, as soon as it is referenced again, trying to uphold your shattered integrity.</p> <p>And for the love of god, your second link is you writing your own goodbye story. I suppose you needed the practice.</p>

Posted by: Wayan_Is_Bought 12 Jan 2008

<p>One of two things now will happen:</p> <p>1. OLPC News ceases to exist.<br /> 2. Wayan Volta ends his association with Intel.</p> <p>What an awful embarrassment for Intel.</p> <p>What is their attitude towards the OLPC? Do they want to see cheap laptops in the hands of school children around the world?</p> <p>The confusion about the partnership termination, and now a well supported (by google ads) blog that is connected to them... really poor effort.</p>

Posted by: Glen V 12 Jan 2008

<p>So I wonder if anyone realizes this post is a year old? As in Jan 2007.</p> <p>It was a sad conspiracy theory back then: <a href="http://www.bbwindow.com/2006/america/blogging_big_leagues.html"><a href="http://www.bbwindow.com/2006/america/blogging_big_leagues.html">http://www.bbwindow.com/2006/america/blogging_big_leagues.html</a></a></p> <p>And now that I no longer work for Geekcorps, even more out of date and out of touch:<br /> <a href="http://www.geekcorps.org/2007/09/geekcorps-says-goodbye-to-waya/"><a href="http://www.geekcorps.org/2007/09/geekcorps-says-goodbye-to-waya/">http://www.geekcorps.org/2007/09/geekcorps-says-goodbye-to-waya/</a></a></p>

Posted by: Wayan 12 Jan 2008

<p>Conspiracy theories are just that... bunk. If this is such an issue, then ask Intel for an official comment. I'm sure they'll be happy to provide one.</p>

Posted by: Critical_ 12 Jan 2008

<p>OLPC News says that it is:</p> <p>'Your independent source for news, information, commentary, and discussion of One Laptop Per Child's "$100 laptop" computer...'</p> <p>This is simply not true given that the author is involved with the Intel project competing with OLPC. Clear conflict of interest, given that you would think 'independent' means 'not linked to any of the interested parties'. Even being employed at Intel would be a conflict of interest, let alone working on this project.</p>

Posted by: Richard 12 Jan 2008

<p>I've written a Diagnosis of the OLPC Intel Breakup. <a href="http://mrcopilot.com/2008/01/olpc-vs-intel-breakup-diagnosis.html"><a href="http://mrcopilot.com/2008/01/olpc-vs-intel-breakup-diagnosis.html">http://mrcopilot.com/2008/01/olpc-vs-intel-breakup-diagnosis.html</a></a><br /> I've updated to include this new tidbit, Thanks.</p> <p>This just adds more fuel to the eventual lawsuit.</p>

Posted by: MrCopilot 12 Jan 2008

<p>This guy must think that the world is full of dumb people. Not only is he trying to Google bomb the OLPC by buying ads for a "personal blog", he is also trying to hijack the project's name by adding the word "news" to make it look like an official website.</p> <p>This is the same tactic used by the "Open Document Foundation" when they tried to hijack ODFs name to badmouth the ISO standard.</p>

Posted by: Pepe 12 Jan 2008

<p>If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.<br /> Douglas Adams<br /> Seriously dood. You love your job that much that you just coincidentally started a personal blog bashing OLPC. QUACK! QUACK!</p>

Posted by: Adrian 12 Jan 2008

<p>Wayan,</p> <p>Do you really believe you are fooling anyone? Really?</p> <p>So you *just happen* to be working on a competing product to OLPC.</p> <p>And you *just happen* to be doing a slander job on your competition.</p> <p>And you *just happen* to be trying to Google bomb OLPC.</p> <p>And you *just happen* to be buying ads for your personal blog. (You know, the way everyone buys ads for their personal blogs.)</p> <p>Do you think *anyone* believes you?</p>

Posted by: Reality 12 Jan 2008

<p>Sometimes a news site can have a conflict of interest and still be valuable. And that's certainly true of OLPC News.</p> <p>Because OLPC's goals are so laudable and the tech community so wants to make a difference for kids in need, the normal scientific and technical debate about the project has been suppressed. Since debate is at the very core of good science, that's not good news for OLPC or for the kids OLPC means to help.</p> <p>So if we really care about these kids, both sides need to do something. OLPC News needs to acknowledge the conflict of interest. And OLPC needs to be willing to listen to and even encourage open debate about their project.</p>

Posted by: dobedo 04 Jan 2008

<p>Now there would only be a conflict of interest if OLPC News wasn't a non-work related website I started around a personal interest.</p> <p>But like a majority of blogs, OLPC News is just that - personal opinion that is quite plainly explained in the About OLPC News page:</p> <p>"the opinions they express here are theirs respectively and do not represent the views or opinions of their friends, family, neighbours, acquaintances, or employers."<br /> <a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/about_olpc_news/about_olpc_news.html"><a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/about_olpc_news/about_olpc_news.html">http://www.olpcnews.com/about_olpc_news/about_olpc_news.html</a></a></p> <p>Anything more is pure conspiracy theory fantasy. Or jealousy that three writers and five months could so easily and quickly eclipse SV Sleuth.</p>

Posted by: wayan 04 Jan 2007

<p>I'm curious. How exactly does the fact that OLPC News fails to disclose a conflict of interest proof any of your points? </p> <p>If anything, this episode proofs that anyone can start a blog. No more, no less.</p>

Posted by: SV Sleuth 03 Jan 2007

<p>Oh wait, I just noticed the Google Ad accusation. Wow. So its bad to buy contextual ads to promote a website? </p> <p>You better send a memo to the _millions_ of other ad buyers or and Google shareholders, asap!</p>

Posted by: wayan 03 Jan 2007

<p>I love how this conspiracy theory keeps on going. Its such a compliment! </p> <p>That this little hobby of mine is now so insightful and so influential that it couldn't be the work of just the site's three (unpaid and unbought) writers and multiple commenters. </p> <p>If anything, its proof I am in the blogging big leagues now!<br /> <a href="http://www.bellybuttonwindow.com/2006/america/blogging_big_leagues.html"><a href="http://www.bellybuttonwindow.com/2006/america/blogging_big_leagues.html">http://www.bellybuttonwindow.com/2006/america/blogging_big_leagues.html</a></a></p> <p>And that Silicon Valley Sleuth has serious journalistic jealousy: <a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/commentary/press/journalistic_jealous.html"><a href="http://www.olpcnews.com/commentary/press/journalistic_jealous.html">http://www.olpcnews.com/commentary/press/journalistic_jealous.html</a></a></p>

Posted by: wayan 03 Jan 2007