The latest post sponsored by this very blog in the bulletin boards was regarding the smartness of writers sharing information with each other. Do you keep your cards to your chest or open the floodgates to other writers in hopes of getting information back? A look at what people thought:

The following anecdote was sent in by reader NYTimes real-estate reporter Joyce Cohen:

''When I worked at the Wall Street Journal I wrote a piece on things people threw at the wedding that were not rice. I mentioned three butterfly farmers in the article. Within days, I got a call from an editor at People magazine asking which butterfly farmer would be best to do a story on, so I gave him some contact info: they ended up doing a huge feature on this guy. Then, of course, I wondered whether I should have asked for something -- like a check or byline -- in return. I find that people are very different in their willingness to share information. For me, the difference involves whether they are direct competitors or not -- in other words, whether it is disadvantageous for me to share.''

Would you share information like this with another writer, or are you competitive? When is in a writer's best interest to be in it for him/herself, and when is it good to share the wealth?

Here's what some of our readers had to say:

"I am a person who shares often with my friends and colleagues," wrote one. "Still, I can understand when it comes to total strangers, it is tough to dole out info at times. Some people expect it. And, others -- well, who knows what their credentials are or how they use the tips people give so generously. I'm becoming less likely to help those who demand, or who have not proven themselves to me.

I don't think it is awful to guard material, but I also think we have to trust our gut feelings and be free to share when we feel that it is a good thing to do. There are people whose work and tenacity I admire very much and I don't think I am opposed to sharing info with them. Other times -- and, often one gets burned, -- there are important lessons to learn, about giving too much info away.

Thank you is so important. So is please. Thanks. when given in a heartfelt manner mean everything I wonder if some writers who ask for help, ever do say thanks. I doubt if I would have taken a check for the butterfly info, but damn, how nice to be appreciated. Yet, again, I don't know if I would have given that info away to a complete stranger. Someone whose work I know and trust, perhaps.

"I get reporters from all over North America asking me stuff," says another. "In fact on Friday a reporter wanted some data that is extremely valuable to my company that I'd spent hours compiling. I shared this because the guy was just some beat reporter in New Hampshire and needed a break. I'll get nothing for this except karma.

That said, he's not a competitor who covers the same beat as me. So if they're not covering my beat I'm open and friendly but if they're the competition I can't wait to beat them into the ground on every big news break."

"I've shared both proprietary information and contacts with other journalists who I have a good relationship with," says another generous writer. "They interview me sometimes as a 'source' which can make the whole media thing a bit inbred.

"I've heard this argument in the past when people start talking about contacts, sources, pitching, and career searches - that, if you don't have the nerve to call an editor for what you need to know/find out/offer, then you're probably not a capable journalist," opines another who finds that there are mixed messages in media when it comes to sharing information."

"The problem with this theory, which otherwise seems perfectly reasonable, is that it doesn't address the separation between your work and your career. Normally, journalists seem to be trained to proceed with confidence, perhaps boldness, in the interest of gathering information and assistance. But this same sort of ''boldness'' is highly discouraged within the industry. You might not care if you annoy a source with a particularly aggressive question, but you would certainly care if you annoyed a potential employer with aggressive e-mail messages to try to land a job or land a story assignment. And editors seem lately to have no tolerance whatsoever for anything bold on behalf of a journalist.

Sure, some editors say that they do appreciate bold candidates and freelance pitches - but there's enough griping about unsolicited commentary/proposals in the industry such that it would give anyone pause to attempt anything that might cross that thin patience threshold. And, of course, most media companies have a policy of routing such communication attempts through PR, HR, or ''slush-pile'' email accounts, and if you violate their intentions you're not on their good side anymore.

So the mixed message is ''Don't be afraid to talk to anyone - but don't dare talk to me if I haven't spoken to you first.''

Another poster thinks that you can ask up front for information in return. "When People was asking for info, she should have asked them for info... like who at the publication can you pitch some freelance articles. I've done that a few times, and its paid off handsomely. Mags are always looking for writers who can bring new angles and ideas. And since they liked her Journal article, she already had one foot in the door!"

And finally, one other writer keeps information to herself, not out of competition but out of respect for sources: "I had a similar situation happen about a month ago. Someone working on a documentary about gambling called and wanted information about one of my sources. I declined because I don't give out source information to people I don't know.

I value my sources and I don't think I should be passing out their information even if they would not care. I won't be able to keep track of who does and doesn't want to be contacted. There are some exceptions, but not many.

This particular source was unlisted so I felt a special obligation not to share his information. I politely explained my reasons and mentioned some key parts in the story in the hopes that they would remember how to research.

If you have already written a story then most of the work is done for them. They might have to (gasp) open a phone book or google search, but that is simple reporting."