CFD: Change in FAQ ads policy From: graeme@discreet.co.uk (Graeme Griffiths) Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 00:00:00 +0000 Call for Discussion - Change in Advertising Policy in the rec.games.pbm FAQ It is accepted that the Usenet newsgroup rec.games.pbm is an Unchartered, Unmoderated newsgroup and that, as such, the policy on posting adverts to the group is unacceptable (by the default Usenet rationale) excepted by the relevant paragraph in the FAQ. It has recently been taken up as an issue that the FAQ paragraph prevents PBM moderators from using the group to legitimately advertise to their prospective customers using rec.games.pbm. Currently the FAQ ads paragraph reads : ---Start FAQ excerpt 10) Is commercial advertising allowed here? Usenet is traditionally a non-commercial place, because many people who read the Net are actually paying to receive articles. Posting an advertisement is somewhat like sending them junk fax. However, there are three exceptions to this rule: A) There is an entire hierarchy of commercial groups, called "biz.*". These groups allow advertising. But this group isn't in that hierarchy, and biz.* isn't well propagated because no one wants it. B) Traditionally, a single, short, tasteful, fact-filled (not hype-filled) advertisement for a product will be favorably received. C) Most groups, like this one, have some informational postings which will list, in one place and in a consistent format, commercial information. In this case, the list is the "PBM List", mentioned in section 4 above, which is posted twice a month and is available via WWW and ftp. So if you are a commercial company and wish to make information about your game available on Usenet, (C) is your best bet. Send email to lindahl@pbm.com and I'll tell you what information I need to put you on the list. Other than posting basic information about your game, supporting your game on the group is encouraged -- if folks have questions, post and answer them. It's only repetitive hype-filled postings, or perhaps repetitive answers of the same question, that will tick off Usenetters. ---End FAQ excerpt The current proposal is to change Point B of the above to : ---Start ammendment B) Traditionally, a short, tasteful, fact-filled (not hype-filled) advertisement for a product will be favourably received. The ad should have [AD] in the header and be no more than 50 lines, and between 20-40 is much more appropriate. The article should include a pointer to your FTP or Web Site for the reader to get further information, or your E-Mail address. Ads may be repeated once every three months (90 days) or monthly ads may be posted if they are new information such as game openings, improvements, and promotional items of interest to the Newsgroup at large. Monthly posting of the same ad is not appropriate to the spirit of this newsgroup and will annoy the very players you are trying to recruit. ---End ammendment Please post comments/ammendments here. I will host the vote (unless an objection to my doing so is raised) if it is deemed necessary. I suggest voting should begin on Aug 25th (sorry I'm on holiday before that) once a reasonable discussion has taken place. No RFD stage is deemed necessary (at least by me) as this discussion has already been well aired. Please keep all posts as brief as possible, remember to quote and attribute all the relevant text you need but remove all the unnecessary text. I hope this can resolve what has become a rather messy and pointless flame-war. -- Graeme Griffiths - Discreet Logic (Newbury, UK) Disclaimer: I do not speak for anyone but myself and I do that badly. Mail: graeme@discreet.co.uk Spam: All unsolicited mail will be reported, and billed for my time. Referenced By Up