Software Competition

[AdIyhc]

Do you guys think it's morally right for someone with the role of "Feature/Concept Input- Software Tester- Website Creator" to openly criticize the software's competitors without telling people his involvement?

What does "Feature/Concept Input- Software Tester- Website Creator" of a product tells you? He's not the developer but he creates the site. So this means he's part of the team?

Will you help create a website for a shareware product for free?????

One fine example at Wilders Security Forum. Can you guess who?

[Eóin]

If you've any vested interests then you should disclose them openly. If you hide them and then are 'found out' you will lose any respect people may have had for you.

But 'morally right' may be a bit strong of a stance to take. Most people are biased in some way or another and it's difficult to always acknowledge that, hell some people may not even realise that they are biased to some extent.

[mouser]

disclosure is the key word here.  you can criticize whatever you want but you should disclose if you have any relationship at all to a competitor of a program you are critizing, or if you are part of the team creating software you are praising.

[AdIyhc]

  Totally agree with both of you. Sadly, most people tend to forgive them once a "free edition" is released.