On Fri, 3 Dec 1999, ted panitz wrote:
> An Offer You Can't Refuse
>
> I would like to make you an offer you can't refuse and
> revolutionize
> e-publishing at the same time, by giving you an absolute guarantee of
> satisfaction. No money back guarantee is necessary here!!
<snip>
>
> What do you think of this idea??? (Do I really want to know??!!)
I bet you don't. When this first came through, my impulse was to label
it just another annoying spam, and to denounce it either to the list
or privately to the listowner (or both). It fits my requirements for
spam: an excessively-hyped announcement of a commercial service by
someone who never or rarely uses the list for any other purpose.
Then Beth Benoit's post came through, and I saw that what Ted had
posted had merit, at least to one of us. I haven't checked it out
myself, but I think my own opinion on its merits is irrelevant here.
So is Ted's post spam or not? In its present form, with its hype and
its prime motivation to get some money out of us, I'd say it is. I'd
like to ask him not to do it again.
But spam is a relative concept, and I could see how Ted could redo his
message so that it would slip by without offense. I'd suggest he turn
down its breathless tone so it sounds less like a TV commercial,
explain how it might be of value to us as teachers, and (most
important) either eliminate the plea for bucks, or keep it tasteful
and discreet. I wouldn't object, for example, to a brief warning
following an invitation to visit his web site that a modest fee would
be requested for the materials.
But shouting at us Free! Free!! Free!!! on TIPS? Not acceptable, in my
opinion.
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at:
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips/
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