Brien:
ah yeah you throw me I didn't even notice the box and was wondering where your message
was...
Still it wouldn't my first vote for MapInfo-L to join the rest of the world in having
that little
box in every posting..
I think a less intrusive form of sponsorship thing may be easier? Depends how much it
costs...heck, several people would probably be interested in spending something to be
this
quarter's sponsor and have a one-time announcement and also a mention on the archive
page
and list description on directions mag...heck yeah depending on the cost my company
might
be eager to cover it indefinitely...I'm more concered about filtering out the spam,
rejecting
the unsubscribe requests and protecting us from malfunctioning, crazed mail
servers...not
sure how that would be coordinated..
I think the eGroups business model where people constantly define new groups which
ebb and flow the ad banner is the appropriate revenue stream? Not my place to say but
would imagine for DirectionsMag given the comparatively miniscule traffic a quarterly
sponsorship is better? (on the other hand this is a very targeted audience...i have no
idea
what i'm talking about)
Eric
- Original Message -
From: "Brien Green" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 2:32 PM
Subject: Re: Advertising to fund MapInfo-L (was MI ANNOUNCEMENT: MapInfo-L is moving!
-No Advertising!!)
***
This is a Sample ad, Only a sample ad.
The Advertiser in this add will help you keep this service
free.
For a few lines of space all this knowledge and access can remain free.
Thank you for your attention
***
Brien
-Original Message-
From:John Haynes [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent:Fri, 22 Sep 2000 12:55:28 -0400
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Advertising to fund MapInfo-L (was MI ANNOUNCEMENT: MapInfo-L is
moving! -No Advertising!!)
Bill,
Going back to the early days when you asked for voluntary contributions
would be a start. I fully appreciate the odious response when you ask
freeloaders for dough on something they believe SHOULD BE FREE.
There are many companies, like mine, that have used the list to further our
business and we SHOULD PAY for it. There are other companies whose
employees use the list to further their business interests but who, as
employees, have no authority to authorize payment and would be hard pressed
to persuade those who sign the checks that it is a worthwhile investment.
A simple, for a start solution would be to set out a budget and ask for help
in meeting it. Companies like mine would respond; a lot of folks would not,
but all their contributions to the list make it a valuable business asset
for those of us who would happily pay a fee to keep the list from going
away.
I have no objections to viewing advertising. I mean, like where do you go
for anything that hasn't got some message wrapped into it? I just throw out
50% of the Sunday paper and fast forward through the ads on the rental
video. As for the chronic whiners, "Adios, MF".
Best,
- Original Message -
From: Bill Thoen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 11:41 AM
Subject: Advertising to fund MapInfo-L (was MI ANNOUNCEMENT: MapInfo-L is
moving! -No Advertising!!)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
One Comment about the advertising with the e-mail.
Don't do it!
That's the sort of thing that could run me off from this list faster
then any thing else.
Would you be willing to pay a subscription fee to get the list
mail then? How do you suggest we afford the service? Would you
prefer twice-yearly fund drives like they do for public
broadcasting?
It's been free because I managed to get a good deal at Colorado
Supernet for the last 6 years. That made it cost so little (and
was helped by some donations and the proceeds of an auction) that
my business carried it these last few years. It cost $14.95/mo
plus my time, which was gladly given because it has also been
good for my business. But SuperNet got bought out by Qwest/US
West, and because SuperNet isn't profitable enough for the big
wheels, the wheels are closing down that service. The hard, cold
Morlocks meet the Eloi of the Internet.
In a perfect world advertising serves to connect people who have
needs to products and services that answer those needs, and
that's the goal we would try to attain. I am all too aware that
in our real world, advertising also tries to *create* needs and
wants and stick a straw into your wallet and suck hard. We all
know that activity sucks, but is there any creative solution that
we can come up with where we can generate enough cash to pay for
the infrastructure we need to make this list a success? Lists do
not
