Re: WORLD CONQUEST PBM/PBEM FAQ

From: alansz@araw.mede.uic.edu (Alan Schwartz)

Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 00:00:00 +0000

Martin Rapier <M.Rapier@shef.ac.uk> writes:
>In article <01bda9fe$185d58c0$feedb5cf@conquest>, conquest@dnai.com says...
>
>>In reply to your query...
>>
>>I have the same rights you do. I can post to this newsgroup whenever I feel
>>like it. The post is informative and clearly designated, so what difference
>>does it make? Go climb a tree if you don't like it.
>
>No it isn't it is an ad.

The two are not exclusive. It seems to me to be both informative
(especially for WC players who might read this newsgroup and have
such questions) and also serve as an ad to attract new players
to WC. A pure ad would have a lot less useful information in it.

In rec.games.pbm, the group's FAQ is explicit about advertising, listing
a few cases in which it is acceptable:

FAQ>B) Traditionally, a single, short, tasteful, fact-filled (not
FAQ>hype-filled) advertisement for a product will be favorably
FAQ>received.

(the posting in question was tasteful and fact-filled, IMHO,
but probably not short, and from the author's statement above,
probably not single)

FAQ>C) Most groups, like this one, have some informational postings which
FAQ>will list, in one place and in a consistent format, commercial
FAQ>information. In this case, the list is the "PBM List", mentioned in
FAQ>section 4 above, which is posted twice a month and is available via
FAQ>WWW and ftp.

FAQ>So if you are a commercial company and wish to make information about
FAQ>your game available on Usenet, (C) is your best bet. Send email to
FAQ>lindahl@pbm.com and I'll tell you what information I need to put you
FAQ>on the list.

FAQ>Other than posting basic information about your game, supporting your
FAQ>game on the group is encouraged -- if folks have questions, post and
FAQ>answer them. It's only repetitive hype-filled postings, or perhaps
FAQ>repetitive answers of the same question, that will tick off
FAQ>Usenetters.

Clearly based on this last paragraph, however, repeated posting of
this WC FAQ would probably be unwelcome. Perhaps the original author
should contact the PBM List and provide his/her FAQ as a web site?
This would be a very civic-minded thing to do. :)

>I'm sure your polite and helpful reply will encourage other people to play.
>Still, that is what you expect on the alt.* hierarchy.

(FWIW, some of us are reading this in rec.games.pbm. :)

- Alan

[ No cc's in reply, please - post only ]

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
                       Alan Schwartz <alansz@uic.edu>
Asst. Prof. of Clinical Decision Making | University of Illinois at Chicago
Adj. Asst. Prof. of Psychology          | Department of Medical Education
   "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

References

Re: WORLD CONQUEST PBM/PBEM FAQ
M.Rapier@shef.ac.uk (Martin Rapier)
Thu, 09 Jul 1998 00:00:00 +0000
WORLD CONQUEST PBM/PBEM FAQ
"Bill Rapp" <conquest@dnai.com>
Wed, 08 Jul 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: WORLD CONQUEST PBM/PBEM FAQ
lindahl@pbm.com (Greg Lindahl)
Wed, 08 Jul 1998 00:00:00 +0000