[olug] Re: ADVs via the olug.org mailing list?

[Eric Penne]

I didn't like the direct plug for Reboot the User.  I think obvious
links to the company in the signature of the sender are fine.  In this
case it didn't bother me as much because he did give useful info
beforehand (which got snipped), not just an advertisement.

I'm stuck though on how to reword what he said.  In my head there are
many different ways of saying that without sounding like advertising,
or at least sounding like "just another person" that uses this product.

In the signature: RebootTheUser has Zoom Inet Gateways.

or:

<disclaimer store owner>
We have Zoom 4160 Inet Gateways that seem to work really well.  Come on
down and I can show you how to set it up.
</disclaimer>

or some variation on that.

This isn't an attack on Jay in any way.  I just want to make sure we
lay down some rules for this kind of thing.  I've only been on the list
for a few years but I don't remember running into this before.

We could ban it altogether but other companies get props on the list
from customers so banning it seems wrong.  Jay's just trying to get his
name out there, and being linux friendly helps.

My pennes worth.
Eric

--- "Jacobs, Robert A." <RAJACOBS at northropgrumman.com> wrote:
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Jay Swackhamer [mailto:Jay at RebootTheUser.com]
> >Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 6:59 PM
> >
> >Or you could stop by Reboot The User, and get a
> >deal on a Zoom 4160 Inet Gateway.........
> >
> 
> This just seems wrong.
> 
> I'm kind of curious what the other members of the list think.
> If I'm the only one who finds self-promotion of a BUSINESS on
> a non-commercial, community mailing list egregious then I'll
> just keep quiet on the issue, do a bit of introspection to make
> sure I'm not overreacting and be done with it.
> 
> I admit that I may be being overly sensitive to this but, Jay,
> two out of the three messages I've seen from you so far appear to 
> be veiled SPAM and/or ADVERTISEMENTS for your store (depending on 
> how you want to look at it.)
> 
> In my opinion, a simple link or plug to your store IN YOUR
> SIGNATURE is fine.  Pimping products from your store just seems
> wrong -- it would be different if you were acting in the capacity of
> a community member ("Hey, I've got a few cheap Zoom 4160's I picked
> up --
> here's what I'm willing to let them go for" ala garage sale) instead
> of as a business owner.  
> 
> What does everyone think?  Is this a breach of Netiquette or do
> I need to lighten up (Jay, you needn't bite that hook! :) )?  
> What does everyone think?  If the prevailing opinion is that 
> this is okay, I'll back off.  
> 
> 
> robert.a.jacobs
> 
> (This is not an attack against you Jay.  It just doesn't feel right
> to me so I want to check my feelings against the community to make
> sure I'm not overreacting.  No offense intended.)
> _______________________________________________
> OLUG mailing list
> OLUG at olug.org
> http://lists.olug.org/mailman/listinfo/olug


__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com