New thread because of new subject. On Sunday 18 April 2004 00:45, Matthew Gregan wrote: > 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]?
Yes, I think I am, that one's over to the wrong side of the fine line which separates acceptable from unacceptable, because at first sight anyway the message appears to be unsolicited and moreover is not connected to Linux. Please don't do it again Jason. > 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? That's a difficult one isn't it? I have the feeling it's not acceptable either. It all depends how you define "advertisements". If a software consultant was to provide a solution to a problem, and _at the same time_ offer as part of the reply that his services were available at such and such a rate then I'd see that as acceptable, but attaching a file being 250 kilobytes plus of glossy .pdf raving on about how wonderful the cataloged item is, that is not acceptable at all. Furthermore, I would not like to see the list become a channel for Request to Tender type of messages. In other words, if somebody was obviously totally stuck with setting up a modem or whatever, I see it to be acceptable for somebody in the trade to provide directions to as to how to solve the problem, and at the same time mention that he could provide a solution for $AB for the hardware plus $XY per hour labour. > > 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. ok, where are we at here? Let's assume that a businessman who has an interest in Linux as a tool for use to help him in his business appears on the list. He is trying to get help to install a mailserver or whatever, and after a lot of tooing and froing on the list it becomes quite obvious that it's beyond him. Are you saying that in your opinion that it is not acceptable for one of us to pipe up and say: "Let's stop futzing around with this because I can fix that in 3 hours and my commercial rate is $XYZ per hour, please contact me off list"? List: Please note that the above are my private opinions which are not to be taken as "List Policy". However as Linux gets closer to the main stream these are the sorts of issues which I think we have to think and talk about. > [0] http://lists.ethernal.org/cantlug-0403/msg00803.html -- Sincerely etc. Christopher Sawtell NB. This PC runs Linux. If you find a virus apparently from me, it has forged the e-mail headers on someone else's machine. Please do not notify me when this occurs. Thanks.
