Google Grumbles

1:00 PM -- The CFO of Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) has a bone to pick with the likes of me.

Speaking at a West Coast investor conference this week, George Reyes urged attendees not to believe everything that's written about Google.

"Please don't believe everything that you read in the press -- it's just over the top. Most articles that I read have factual inaccuracies in them," said the former Sun Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) exec. He didn't elaborate further.

George, I've got a bone to pick with you, too. (Actually, a couple of bones.) For one thing, most informed decision-makers don't believe everything they read -- whether it's in the press or published by vendors. But you've usually got a better shot at accuracy if you get the facts out there for public consumption.

As most tech journalists (myself included) will attest, getting information out of Google is like getting blood from a stone. Harder, in fact. Requests of all kinds, including requests for comment, are simply ignored. Requests for interviews, if persistent, are routinely, if politely, denied.Sure, Google has its competitive position to consider. But we have our jobs to do, too. People are fascinated by the doings of any company that deploys the IT infrastructure of a small country. Part of that fascination entails speculation that must be addressed.

So George, instead of ranting against us, call us. Google Desktop can help you find any number fast -- or use the nifty Google Talk directory.

I'm all ears.

James Rogers, Senior Editor, Byte and Switch