When it comes to product secrecy or sensitive issues like defective software, it's safe to say that the five listed authors of this Twitter account (who sign their tweets with a carat followed by their initials) and the official Microsoft "voice" on Facebook and MySpace are working under very strict information control policies. They are, as PR professionals are wont to say, "staying on message."

Of course, Microsoft employees have leaked information using such tools. Last month, a company meeting at Seattle's Safeco Field was . Last week, a LinkedIn profile -- reportedly maintained by a Microsoft employee -- , even though Windows 7 has yet to ship. The profile has since been deactivated.

But it's important to note that this information came from personal social media accounts, as opposed to Microsoft's official product or marketing efforts on Facebook or Twitter.

In addition, Apple has demonstrated that it too can operate social media campaigns for its products without giving up state secrets. Apple's (which was by a reader of our original article) has millions of fans and hundreds of updates, mostly relating to product promotions ("Download Glee on iTunes") but also some feature announcements ("iTunes 9 Feature: Share On Facebook and Twitter.") Most of the updates have hundreds or even thousands of "likes" and comments. We were unable to find any media references to premature product revelations or leaks originating from this official Apple resource.

The iTunes/Facebook example is proof that it's possible for Apple Inc. to run a social media presence without overstepping its secrecy mandates. Moreover, the response to the site shows that millions of customers, far from being turned off by what Bryant calls the "unpleasant odor" of corporate Twitter and social networking efforts, want to follow and interact with Apple and this product. If Apple can do it for iTunes, then why not for OS X?