I appreciate the spirited discussion my posts have generated and I apologise to anyone offended.
In relation to Post [0], I HOPE everyone can see the relevance of that one! The reason I had posted it is because there had been discussion on list prior to this about hardware based MP3 Players that support .ogg (HELLO, it's an open format!). I had told the list at that time that if/when we got any, I would let them know - which is what I subsequently did.
Now, if you were new to the list or do not read all posts, then my 'commercial post' may have seemed innapropriate. However, for long time list members it should/would have been viewed as totally appropriate. There can be no hard and fast rules when it comes to 'netiquette' generally - one has to use common sense, which I try to do. I will continue to post as I feel appropriate and if I get kicked off the list for it, well, then so be it.
My .0002c worth.
Regards,
Jason
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]?
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
