On Sun, Apr 18, 2004 at 12:00:05AM +1200, Christopher Sawtell wrote: > There is a great deal of difference between Jason, or anybody else for that > matter, answering questions and _AT THE SAME TIME ONLY_ offering a relevent > commercial solution to an on topic question being asked, and unsolicited > spamming of the list with highly commercial messages offering totally > unrelated products or services.
When you say "unsolicited spamming of the list with highly commercial messages offering totally unrelated products and services", are you referring to messages like this[0]? I'm curious. In your view, would it also be valid for a Linux/Free Software consultant (working as a sole trader, if you like) to respond on-list to people looking for help with Linux/Free Software problems with advertisements for their commercial support services? > The former is acceptable, while the latter is not. Offering a commercial solution is acceptable. However, on a list where many people are providing free support to fellow Linux/Free Software users without asking or expecting anything more than a 'thank you' in return, those who offer a commercial solution and, at the same time, advertising that they can provide this particular commercial solution is, at best, acting without good taste. It is made even worse by acting in this manner and then neglecting to suggest viable free solutions to a problem when they exist. [0] http://lists.ethernal.org/cantlug-0403/msg00803.html -mjg -- Matthew Gregan |/ /| [EMAIL PROTECTED]
