To: WSFAlist at keithlynch.net
Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2003 01:59:48 -0500
Subject: [WSFA] 'spamming' the list
From: ronkean at juno.com
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

On Fri, 03 Jan 2003 17:10:10 -0500 Candy Madigan
<candymadigan at mindspring.com> writes:
> However, there is some difference of opinion about what does and does
> not consist of "spam".  For instance, I greatly resented your blocking
> my open invitation to the list to attend a PartyLite Candle party at my

> house in Dec.  That was an inappropriate use of your power as the host
for
> this list.  I am still angry about it.
>

What makes spam so very annoying, apart from the simple fact that it is
unwanted, is its sheer volume and the fact that so much of it is so
stupid, and so much of it is fraudulent.  But occasionally posting a
notice concerning an entrepreneurial activity by a WSFA member which
might well be of some interest to at least a few other members should not
be considered spam, as the term is normally understood.

I serve as a moderator on a couple of lists which are used by the
Maryland Libertarian Party, and the question of whether to permit
commercial announcements on those lists sometimes arises.  Generally, we
allow such postings on the open discussion list, so long as they are not
being posted by someone who has joined the list largely or solely for the
purpose of advertising, and so long as such postings by any one person
are infrequent.  For example, about once a year one of the Libertarians
posts a brief reminder that her Ocean City condo is available for
vacation rental, with a discount for Libertarians.  Another list member
has posted one or two items for sale, along with a promise that if an
item is sold as a result of the announcement, part of the proceeds will
go to the Party or to a Libertarian candidate's campaign fund.  So far,
no one has complained about the very limited amount of casual advertising
by members which has appeared on that list.

Ron Kean

.

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