Legal Blah blah blah blah, whatever...
I am not now, nor have I ever been employed directly, or indirectly by Autodesk, Microsoft, Symantec, Helios, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Boeing, Lockheed, McDonald's, Burger King, or even Taco Bell. None of these fine companies have ever paid me, cash or otherwise, for any services, reviews, products or anything.
I once gave a lecture at an Autodesk Sales conference in Williamsburg, VA, after which they gave me a case of wine from the Williamsburg Winery (and a nifty Swiss Army knife with one of those fancy corkscrew bottle openers). I used to daydream that Autodesk or Microsoft would call me up and say something like "Hey Dave! We were just wondering if you'd be interested in coming to work for us? And, oh, by the way, we'd be more than happy to pick-up the tab for that horrific student loan that some former employer chained to your nut sack". Alas, that call has never come. Oh well. As if I'd be interested in anyone (cough-cough) ever (snort) picking up my (cough-cough-wheeeeeezz-inhale...) student (ack!) loan balance. Phew! Nah. Not interested. Damn it.
In any case, nobody offers me ANY compensation or special favors for talking good about their junk, nor for talking bad about someone else's junk. I wish I were in such demand, but I'm not. I just have a stupid blog and am lucky enough to have a few readers. I appreciate that by the way (especially if you drank enough coffee to survive reading this page to this point!)
Dave