With all the fuss about blogging, I figured it was time I disclosed any conflicts I had and explain what I'm trying to do with HackingNetflix.com.
First, to answer a frequent question: I do not work for Netflix.
I started this site as an experiment in company and community relations, and it's grown a bit bigger than I expected. I've been watching Netflix grow and wanted to learn more about the company, sharing what I found. Since I'm a "hack" writer and computer geek, HackingNetflix.com was the perfect name. It may have started as a "fan" site, but I've tried to make it more professional and even (shudder) "fair and balanced." I personally still lean towards Netflix a bit, but I think I'm like most journalists who have to set aside their feelings and be objective in his or her writing.
Disclosure: I have received some free clothing from Netflix in 2004, but I have a lot more free stuff from Microsoft and I'm still writing this on a Macbook (please don't think I can be bought that easily). I do wear a Netflix t-shirt or hat from time to time, but if someone from Blockbuster or Hulu sent over some goodies, I'd wear them too, just to be fair. I almost forgot to mention the free Reed Hastings bobblehead that was sent after I posted this.
Since I've been accused of being a "shill" for Netflix, I'd like to make the following disclosures:
I do not own stock in Netflix, Hulu, Blockbuster or any other company I write about (unless it's in my retirement account without my knowledge or control). I pay the retail price for my Netflix, Hulu Plus and Blockbuster subscriptions. I am not an employee or consultant to Netflix, Blockbuster, or any other company I write about. I work in business development for a software company during the day, and this site is done on my own time. I have ongoing discussions with representatives from Netflix, as most journalists do, and I'm hoping to develop the same level of communication with Netflix competitors over time. I receive affiliate revenue from Netflix, Amazon, and other companies. Links on HackingNetflix might generate a few bucks, but I'm not getting rich doing this. I will try to be fair and report on the industry without prejudice. Like most bloggers I write about things I find interesting, but I welcome suggestions, corrections and criticism. I will not delete comments unless they are comment SPAM, pornographic in nature, hateful, etc. I really hate to delete comments, so keep it civil. If I am wrong, I will post a correction, or even an apology if warranted. I will try very hard to respond to every e-mail. Feel free to contact me at hackingnetflix.com [at] gmail.com.
I hope this clears the air a bit. I really enjoy working on this site and appreciate the small but active community that has decided to hang out here.
Thanks,
- Mike
Thanks to Jason Calacanis for making me ponder this a topic a bit.
Mike:
You are a gentleman and a scholar. Bravo!
Posted by: Joe | March 15, 2005 at 01:04 AM
unrelated: looks like there is a missing closing italics tag on your site from the poster's name.
Posted by: | March 15, 2005 at 01:58 AM
I recall Calacanis punished Fark (in words) for their editorial/advertising policies. He is quite the absolutist. Frankly, I find that disbelieving everything I read is a good starting policy. ;)
That is - until I've gained a time-tested confidence in the author. Congrats Mike you make my trust list (with a slight dip during the gameznflix affiliate period - lol).
I vote for Netflix raising the bar on collaboration with this site. That goes for you Mr/Mrs. Netflix employee reading this.. the vote is 1 - 0 thus far.
Posted by: Aron | March 15, 2005 at 02:46 AM
I love your blog! Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Usman | March 15, 2005 at 11:33 AM
Something that really helps out this site is that whenever I search for anything regarding netflix or blockbuster on Google. Hackingnetflix usually comes up first no matter what the specific search is on. That's how I found it.
Posted by: Chris | March 15, 2005 at 01:26 PM
No flies on you bud.
Posted by: SpongeBob | March 15, 2005 at 01:32 PM
It should be obvious - thank you for Hacking Netflix.
Posted by: CashForFlow | March 15, 2005 at 02:35 PM
You should make this a link to the left or something, so new viewers can read it otherwise in a few days it's "gone" for good.
Posted by: | March 15, 2005 at 04:31 PM
I'm adding a link to this post from the disclosure statement tonight. I wrote this post so anyone coming here for the first time will know what this site is about.
Thanks for the kind words, btw. - Mike
Posted by: Mike | March 15, 2005 at 11:49 PM
NETFLIX DOESNT MAKE ITS PHONE NUMBER EASY TO FIND, SIMILARLY TO AMAZON, WHT KIND OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THAT? ALSO, NO REAL CONTACT US AVAILABLE, AFTER MANY MINUTES OF SEARCHING THE SITE. NO, ITS NOT ME, ITS THEM.
Posted by: DAN | March 23, 2005 at 10:50 PM
Please i want you to explaing explain the full meaning of harcking.THANKS
Posted by: Umar mukhtar | April 04, 2005 at 11:46 AM
"Harcking"
"No entry found for harcking. "
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=harcking
:-)
Posted by: Evan | May 12, 2005 at 02:45 PM
Good service
Posted by: FRANK JOHNSON | July 25, 2005 at 01:36 AM
What is the main work that can make me to find mony on net.i am talking about "hacking" somebody told me that with we can hacking for.i want to hear it from you.thanks
Posted by: niki | November 25, 2005 at 09:54 AM
About phone numbers. Here's my theory why they don't give out their phone number easily.
Can you imagine the call volume they'd get if their number was on the website, people asking general questions about movies? (What's such-and-such movie about? Is it any good?) You'd never get through if you needed to reach them with something important. LOL
Posted by: Charles | November 25, 2005 at 10:12 PM
I Googled Netflix phone numbers, and here I am! I tried the 800 number, and viola!, Customer Service. Sorry, there's no GOOD excuse for not placing your customer service numbers on your website. Call overload? Supersize the service, that simple.
Netflix auto answer interface is better than many, imo. And the customer service rep. seemed to be truly interested in my complaint, claimed she'd forward it, and even mailed the next movie in my queue ahead of time since I had been inconvenienced. Regarding their website, I think it very well done, and simple to navigate. I just signed up so I suppose I have all the enthusiasm of the latest convert. :-)
Posted by: E. Craig Crawford | November 30, 2005 at 09:43 PM
Hello -
I always send in my (3) DVD's so they arrive at the local DC on Monday. When I first started this, I always received the top 3 movies in my queue which were all new releases for that week (Tuesday). They would ship out Monday and I'd have them Tuesday, their official release date. Lately, using the same shipping pattern, I am being bypassed on the new releases and Netflix is sending me items further down on my queue. It's pretty random as the new releases I am bypassed on are huge hits which you'd think they would have plenty of stock (War of the Worlds as an example). Can anyone explain why this is suddenly happening. Do Netflix monitor who gets the new releases and try to spread the wealth, so to speak? Thanks
Posted by: JJVike | December 05, 2005 at 03:42 PM
Hi! I like your site and I like Netflix.
Posted by: Pat in Phoenix | February 11, 2006 at 03:01 AM
five of the last movies I have sent back did not show up until 6 days later..could have seen six more by that time
Posted by: roylynn | August 14, 2008 at 03:47 PM
I'm doing a report on Netflix for my media and print culture class, and i am doing an MLA citation. But to cite it in the essay, I need a last name for the author of this blog. For now I'll just put Briki, since i think it's your last name Mike. Thank you by the way.
Posted by: Mike 2 | December 05, 2009 at 10:28 AM
sympathetic character, really makes me laugh lots with their sympathetic friends this fable is great with his follies and his witty, excellent blog.
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