Why one should never give an interview

Ok, more fuel to add to the discussion about reporters being complete idiots. I did an interview recently for a local paper. The writer seemed very bright and asked good questions. The article came out today. I was impressed with the technical accuracy. However, there was one MAJOR problem: the article said that I sold recycled computers to the Alameda County Computer Resource Center. Now, this may at first seem like a minor error, but it's huge. First of all, under agreement with the ACCRC, I act as a drop-off center for computer and electronic recycling. All items dropped off at my facility are in fact donations to the ACCRC, and donation receipts are given for income tax deductions. Second, the computers and electronics collected are then delivered to the ACCRC where they then refurbish and distribute the computers they receive as an officially registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To say that I sell computers to the ACCRC makes it seem like I am engaged in fraud. So now people who read this article and have or were considering donating items through my service to the ACCRC will think I am in fact fraudulently collecting computers to resell to a non-profit. Nice. In short, I have been libeled is a seriously egregious fashion. So much for the free publicity I was hoping for. I'll have to wait until tomorrow (Monday) to see what the paper intends to do to rectify the situation. If they don't play by my rules then I'm getting an attorney. This incident may well be the final straw. From now on I'm now considering telling any reporter that comes within 10 feet of me to fuck off. -- Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org [ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ] [ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]