Cliff Rogers wrote:
> Well I guess I see how it is here these days. I have witnessed many posts
> where people have advertised their own business (the one that comes to mind
> most readily is a company that does security scans on your IP address to see
> how well your firewall is doing but there have been others) and I am not
> opposed to these postings in any way shape or form. But it appears this one
> stepped over the line somehow.
> I want everyone to know that I do not know Matt nor does he know me. There
> has been NO communication between him and I on any matter let alone this one
> and he had NO part in my postings. I say this because I do not want him to
> be in trouble with anyone on this list for anything I have posted. My posts
> are mine and only mine and have not been influenced by anything other than
> my own sense of unfairness I have seen in these postings.
> Again I apologize for the length and subject matter but I feel it necessary
> to speak up in defense of someone who I feel is treated unfairly.
> Don't feel you need to reply for my sake as I will be unsubscribing to this
> list shortly. God bless and good luck to all.
> Cliff
Cliff, please don't go away. I also did not intend any offence, as I
know Matt did not.
Perhaps an example would clarify as to how the message in question
crossed the line.
Subject: Job networking opportunity
I have created a job networking service to help match skilled people
with tech jobs. Please email me at
blah@here.blah if you are interested
in learning about it. Or go to the web site at
www.blah.blah.
IMO, the above would be good. It is one PLUGger trying to help others
by pointing out a resource. I would not even care of the resource
charged money. Contrast that with the original post where the subject
line sounded like an advertisement and the content was not specific to
PLUG's email list audience.
Is it a fine line between a helpful community message and a commercial
one? Yes, it is. Maybe I was splitting hairs. But to me there is a
difference. I think our goals are the same, we just differ on where to
draw the line.
And, I have to admit that it is selective "unfairness" on my part.
Sometimes I see a message that I feel is inappropriate and I don't say
anything. Too busy at the time or I'm lazy that day or I know it will
turn into a long discussion like this one and I don't want to start it.
This one just struck me right to say something.
The PLUG lists are EXTREMELY well behaved compared to most and I thank
the participants for it. It is self moderated and the community should
be proud of the messages that come through.
Alan
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