topher@cyb-eng.UUCP (Topher Eliot) (03/07/84)
I vote in favor of creation of net.ads. Surely it is more useful than net.jokes (although I must admit I always read the comics before the rest of the newspaper). -- Cheers, Topher Eliot Cyb Systems, Austin, TX ihnp4!ut-sally!cyb-eng!topher
eric@aplvax.UUCP (03/07/84)
While I can see the usefulness of a net.ads group, I really don't think it is a reasonable idea. Currently, various segments of private industry are picking up much of the bill for Usenet, many of them manufacturers. I really doubt that they would be thrilled to learn that they are paying to allow competitors to advertise. This issue seems to pop up about once a year, and I suspect it will continue to do so, but I really don't think it should be implemented. While net.ads might be useful, I don't think that it is worth risking all of Usenet over. Besides, think of all the salesman it might put out of jobs :-) -- eric ...!seismo!umcp-cs!aplvax!eric
whp@cbnap.UUCP (03/07/84)
I'm not in favor of net.ads, I don't see why the group should be created. I think that net.wanted is enough; those with something to sell can always take out an add in some magazine. I'm sure many people won't wish to pay for someone else's advertising costs (those that want to use the group probably just want free advertising). I know I don't.
aps@decvax.UUCP (Armando P. Stettner) (03/08/84)
Hi. This subject has also been the subject of some mail bouncing back between myself and someother people as a result of a certain advertisement that listed a uucp address as a place to get information. I am not reporting concensus here but simply my views. The primary reason for the uucp net (as with any network I guess) is to pass information. However, one should not be "obnoxious". If net.ads can be kept to "informational" announcements (suggested by microsoft!gordonl) and not salesy, I can't see any harm in such. Keep an "announcement" short, sweet, and to the point. Just facts. Try not to make comparisons unless it will simplify or shorten a description. Flaming competitive products should not be done. I do not think that there should be much objection since these messages would be short. Further, it is timely information; even if it is about competition! Also, net addresses should be used for rendezvous. For much greater traffic (spec's, trouble reports/services), direct links should be established between producer and consumers. aps. net [ab]user.
lee@unmvax.UUCP (03/08/84)
This site will NOT receive net.ads! Why the hell should we pay for it.
Will vendors who use it drop their prices or give us a discount if
we have net.ads? After all, we would be paying DIRECTLY for their
advertising. I don't think so. We are happy to contribute to
net.news but paying for a vendors bulk mailing when they won't
give us any breaks is wrong!
--
--Lee (Ward)
{ucbvax,parsec,gatech}!unmvax!leespuhler@hplabs.UUCP (Tom Spuhler) (03/09/84)
The idea of "ad's" is not particularly appealing, I an see it now,
resubmissions of the same thing every day etc. However, I would find
a newgroup that contained low-key factual product announcements both
interesting and useful. I see the model for this as simular to the short
blurbs that are in various magazines like Datamation which are short,
one time, blurbs which describe the basic product and allows one to
request more information. ( type "r" for more info )
I would propose that it be called something like net.new and that it
only be allowed to contain first time announcements, with a 1 or
2 page size limit, and descriptions with a minimum of action words and
adverbs. (factual, not inflammatory ). Subject lines would contain
some phrase like hardware, software etc. so some filtering could be
done.
I believe that something in the above format would be much more
informative and generate much less traffic then something called "ad".
I also suggest that no grandfather clause be allowed, i.e. if the group
is created on 3/15, then no product announced before 3/1 may be
submitted. Comments?????
New.new good! Net.ad bad!! Baa Baa! ( for all you Orwellian sheep )
--
Tom Spuhler
UUCP: hplabs!spuhler
CSNET: spuhler@hp-labs
HPMAIL: tom spuhler/hp1900/01