Ed,
I'm not quite sure just what you're saying. Personally, I like most of
Timothy Sipples' posts. I'm aware that he is an IBM employee, which is
obvious from his Sig line and email address. He does bring out a viewpoint
that is often contrary to what many IBM-Main posters have. I don't always
agree with him, but most of what he says makes sense.
I know that I advertise occasionally for the MCMG group that I go to in
Chicago. I'm glad the Sam Knutson advertises for the group in DC area, and
Mark Nelson advertises the New York Naspa chapter's group that is meeting in
2 weeks. As a matter of fact, I am planning on going to the NY meeting.
I've noticed that of all the groups I've been to other than Share and the
IBM z/OS Expo, they consistently have the best speakers and topics. And,
its also free.
I don't have a problem with people advertising things here - even products,
as long as its not done too often. I think Steve Comstock used to advertise
too much, but after several complaints, I think he does it about right now.
I don't recall you ever advertising your company, but I wouldn't mind. I
know there are a few people who are very vociferous about that, but I think
the majority of posters welcome occasional advertisements, especially if it
helps in answering a question on how to do something.
Eric Bielefeld
Sr. z/OS Systems Programmer
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
414-475-7434
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Jaffe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
This isn't exactly a user group meeting that's being announced. And,
consider the source...
I get invitations all the time, from IBM and other software and hardware
vendors, to attend "free" workshops. Some are events held at local area
hotels -- lunch included. An increasing number are in the form of
webcasts. But, AFAICT there is only one person (of the 5,000+ subscribers)
that posts such invitations on IBM-MAIN.
Does a software vendor, offering a "free" workshop to discuss problems for
which they provide priced "solutions" constitute advertising? Regardless
of what you call them, are such postings consistent with the overarching
"spirit" of IBM-MAIN? What about these recent examples from the same
poster -- some containing specific pricing information, FUD about
competitors, etc?
http://bama.ua.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0806&L=ibm-main&P=R10900&I=1&X=-
http://bama.ua.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0806&L=ibm-main&P=R10803&I=1&X=-
http://bama.ua.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0805&L=ibm-main&P=R39688&I=1&X=-
http://bama.ua.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0805&L=ibm-main&P=R7657&I=1&X=-
http://bama.ua.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0804&L=ibm-main&P=R95816&I=1&X=-
Does IBM-MAIN have a written charter? Anything resembling Canons of
Conduct? A policy statement of some kind?
Notwithstanding the comments above, I certainly don't mind being invited
to these events. But, if and when I were to attend any of them, it would
be with eyes wide open. TANSTAAFL! ;-)
--
Edward E Jaffe
Phoenix Software International, Inc
5200 W Century Blvd, Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90045
310-338-0400 x318
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.phoenixsoftware.com/
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