As a list administrator for a small specialized mailing list and a participant in Info-LabVIEW I have some opinions on this topic.
This list has never been commmercial content free, but commercial mailings are expected to be kept inobtrusive and brief. That seems to work and who am I to argue. It makes sense to give *participants* in this list (who have to make a living) some leeway and let them plug for themselves a bit. What are our sigs but a little bit of advertisement, eh?. However, I think limiting commercial content to contributors is a good idea. I wouldn't like to see folks who add nothing free of charge on a week to week or month to month basis to start hawking their wares here. >From the admin POV, no list admin wants to scrutinize the list for infractions as a regular task. We can self-police without adding to the SN ratio by just sending our complaints directly to the offending party. People trying to get our money will listen closely when complained to directly in the vein of: If you ever do that again, I will never buy your schmiztengrubben. On the other hand it would seem that this John Toto of Superlogics did not post to the list (I never saw or noticed the posting). Maybe he harvested the list membership for addresses. That would be a real no-no. If he used Info-LabVIEW in the subject as camoflage that would be another real no-no. If that is what happened then I think shunning is definitely in order. If I an example of the offending ad, and had the email address of Superlogics I would send an expression of my disappointment. Mike -----Original Message----- From: Harden Chris [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 6:31 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'Rochefort, Paul' Subject: RE: Not quite off-topic: List misuse List, I disagree - targeted emails that are specific to LV or NI users can be useful in bringing ones attention to products that may otherwise remain undiscovered (don't know if this one was, didn't see it). Especially useful where advertised products are cheaper and possibly offer better functionality than similar NI products. I have been especially appreciative of certain low cost DAQ products that have come to my attention via the list. I do however agree that totally unrelated advertisements are a no no. Regards, Chris Harden. Test System Design Engineer. FR-HiTEMP Ltd, Brook Road, Wimborne, Dorset. UK. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tore Johnsen [ <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>] > Sent: May 28, 2004 13:12 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Not quite off-topic: List misuse > > > Dear list, > I recently received a full-blown advertisement (SPAM) from a company that > uses THIS LIST to gather email addresses. The sender is a member of the > list: John Toto at Superlogics. > > I don't at all mind members peddling their products in direct response > to > questions posted to the list (as John has done before). That can actually > be quite helpful. However, when it degenerates into full-blown full-page > unsolicited advertisements with all the bells and whistles sent directly > to > members of the list - well that's when I make a NEVER BUY FROM entry in > the > list I keep for that purpose. Sorry John: Gotta try to nip this in the bud > > before it degenerates further. > > - Tore
