mc4c+@andrew.cmu.edu (Mark Choi) (05/11/91)
O.K., here's the scoop, for all those interested. Although I only got three messages frowning on this, and at least twenty that wanted me to do it right away, the problems with the idea, both those of ethics and policy, and those put forward by Luis Outomuro seem to indicate that this is not the best way to go about this. This does not mean that I have abandoned the idea, if only to get more Atari product out there. Profit? Huh? For the amount of time I will have to put into this, I will be losing money, but here goes: several folks suggested that I have a mailing list, and that I put together a catalogue. The problem with this is that then I would just be a true mail order service, and might as well jack up prices and just go for it. I do not have the time or inclination to go into hard/software retail anymore (I almost became an ST authorized business center, a while back). But here is what I will do. I will not have a catalogue. I do not have the time to compile one, nor do I have them time to write reviews. You will have to rely on what info you can get. You are on USENET, so use it. subscribe to Z-net's fine online mag! However, I will keep my e-mail address available for people to ask for prices, and I will e-mail them my responses. I may even post my real address and phone, if that becomes necessary. You can email me for a specific thing, or you can get on my mailing list for my "news brief". Unlike a real catalogue, it will contain only new things, and things of great interest. Bit by bit, I may add older things to the list, to eventually have a more catalogue like list, but not right away. Rest assured that I probably can get whatever old title you need, in my news brief or not, if it is still being distributed by the publisher. I will have some hardware: cpu's, modems, etc. as well. But like I said, this is not a business venture, just a favor to those who can not find a dealer. In fact, I would appreciate it if those who live near dealers would buy stuff from them. If you don't like their price, haggle it down, but buy it from them! I doubt that I will really affect them at all, though. In fact, if it ever got so large that it looked like it might, I would probably stop altogether. I have other things to do, you know. I really only expect a few orders a week. So.... As I wait for my neural network to settle into the correct pattern of activations so I can take a screen snapshot, and finish my real work, I shall finish this post. If you are interested on getting on this list, e-mail me. It may take a while to compile, though. If you want something specific, ask, and I'll see. All those who expressed their desire for me to do this are already on the list. I will not advertise on the net. I agree with Luis that this is a mistake, and I never intended to do so. If no one minds, I will just post a "Anyone need something they can't find type of message every now and then. No prices, not specific products, etc. I will also read "xxx Wanted" posts. Any advertising at all will have to come from "word of finger" from satisfied folks out there, or advice for those who ask for something. I will not solicit this, though, as I would rather spend my time riding my bike! Now, is there any problem for anyone out there with this method? Please tell me about it. I do not wish to offend anyone. Not the users of c.s.a.st, especially not those who are themselves dealers (hi Luis!) and not the "powers that be. Please e-mail me with any problems any of you may have with this.
scale@abode.wciu.edu (Luis Outumuro) (05/12/91)
Hi Mark, I want to commend you on the thought that you are giving to this idea. It is a very thin line to walk, and you seem to have a balanced perspective on how to implement it. Like I said previously, "it's not a bad idea"; it can just be a little tricky to make the project work. I wish you the best. Take care, bye................ Luis -- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Luis Mark Outumuro III | "Well... you're damned if you do, Computer Office Products 818/813-1051 | and you're damned if you don't!" Infoline 818/813-1053 | - Bart Simpson, 1990...