|
Well,
it's not that I'm too much of a gentlemen to remind people of the MoPo
"guidelines." Actually there are 2 things at work here: 1) I'm more lazy than I
used to be; and 2) Pissing in the wind just gets you
wet.
In the
early days of MoPo I was BIG on regular reminders. They made me feel
powerful. They did little good.
Therefore that explains my present-day laziness and why I'd rather
not get wet. After 10 years I *have* learned a thing or two about
running a listserv. :)
But
thanks JR for reminding everyone anyway (and actually checking out the MoPo
FAQ!)
Now
everyone pay attention and do what JR asks. (I think I'm feeling a little
damp...)
Scott
From: MoPo List
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of J R
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 12:28 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [MOPO] courtesy first: tag your posts, please Y'all,
Once again, since Scott is too much of a gentleman to say anything, and
since no one harbors any such delusions about yours truly, I will step up
to the plate with this reminder: MOPO has guidelines about "for auction" and
"for sale" posts to this list. They specify certain restraints and limitations
which are being violated by some sellers. They clearly state that an identifier
like "FA" should appear as the first thing in the subject on a message
publicizing an auction (FA stands for "for auction", of course). Some people use
"FS" at the beginning of the subject to identify "for sale" (usually meaning it
is not an auction, but a direct offer to the list). WTB should precede the
subject on any want lists -- but people usually do that.
But lately quite a few sellers have *stopped* putting the
identifiers on their messages to the list... particularly those who like to post
2 and 3 "FA" or "FS" messages per day, day after day. It is a discourtesy to the
members of this list to consistently fail to put on these subject-line
identifiers. Also, posting so many commercial messages per day is a violation of
another guideline (see below)
When I send through my once-per-week message to MOPO about
the auctions on MoviePosterBid.com -- which always contains links to
auctions offered by many different sellers, not just one -- instead of
"FA" as the first thing in the subject, I use the identifier "Movie Poster
Auctions:" just as a personal preference, but I do always put on the identifier
as the first part of the subject. Some others use "Ending Soon:" or "Just
Listed:" -- these are all acceptable since they do what the guidelines intended
be done: Let readers know at the start that "this is a commercial
message".
Now look, I'm not setting myself up as an "enforcer" of any kind
here -- only Scott has that option on this list -- but I think it's time to
mention the guidelines again, since there are so many "FA" and "FS" posts
lately which do not begin the subject line with any kind of identifier as they
are supposed to.
I think we all have to presume that Scott put these guidelines
into place for a good reason and that he would like all of us to follow
them. The guidelines can be found at:
Two guidelines of particular note are (and I quote):
"eBay Ads
The popularity of the eBay auction site (see FAQ Section 5.2), while being a bonanza to collectors, has created a problem on the MoPo. Overanxious eBay sellers flood the daily postings with ad referrals. PLEASE...if you must advertise your auction(s) do so in ONE message only. DO NOT list each auction item in a separate e-mail." And then there's the ever-popular identifier guideline: "When posting a message to the list make sure your Subject Line reflects the actual content of your posting. Try to use the following shorthand to help communicate more effectively: FS: For Sale FT: For Trade FA: For Auction WTB: Want to Buy An example of a subject line you would use for a message with One-Sheets for sale: FS: 1970's One-Sheets" So, c'mon folks. We all know there is no such thing as a level playing field where movie poster auctions and sales are concerned, but at least on this list there are established guidelines in place to promote the idea of fairness, restraint and courtesy being extended to all members of MOPO. The preceding has been a public service announcement from Poster Curmudgeons for a Better Tomorrow (a non-profit organization not affiliated with Poster Curmudgeons for The Advanced Study of UFOs). "It's Saturday afternoon on MOPO... do you know where your posters are?"
|
- Re: [MOPO] courtesy first: tag your posts, please Scott Burns
