[Gllug] advertisement sent through glugg announce

[DL Neil]

Caroline Ford wrote:
> On Wed, 2007-10-03 at 09:59 +0100, Martin A. Brooks wrote:
> 
>>Caroline Ford wrote:
>>>I think if people are going to advertise 1 day seminars, however related
>>>and worthy, they should at least mention that they cost £146.87 to
>>>attend.
>>>Not mentioning the incredible fee makes it seem no better than spam imo.
>>>  
>>UCE perhaps, not spam.  The current mailing list policy does permit 
>>commercial advertisments, however.
>>http://www.hinterlands.org/gllugfaq/#id2506383
> 
> That refers to the main gllug list. The UCE/spam was sent out on
> gllug-announce at gllug.org.uk
> Caroline


FWIW the advert left me in irritation as well. Like C (probably) the 
further I read the more I became interested in their line up. However 
having a Scottish heritage I went looking for more detail...

Irritation nr1: why do people think that leading me, clickety, clickety, 
through multiple 'pages' will somehow make more MORE enthusiastic when I 
hit 'the bottom line'?

I notice that the UnixUG members qualify for a discount. From C's 
observation I assume GLLUGgers do not(?) Thus there is a 'return' to 
that UG's members for the use of their web site (and presumably ANNounce 
list) but what did GLLUG receive in return for allowing what seems to be 
a free advertisement? Perhaps it is to do with the fraternity of UGs - I 
am ignorant of such things.

Irritation nr2: if folk wish to interpret the word 'free' their own way, 
they should be consistent in their application and identification 
thereof - otherwise the 'but you must pay me' crowd are (knowingly) 
taking advantage of the other claimants to 'free', surely?

Irritation nr3: 'fraternity' works both ways - if you'd like me to be 
friendly to you, how about offering me some 'friendship'!
(again, in ignorance, perhaps there is some preferential offer?)

Irritation nr4: most if not all of the adverts I have seen (during my 
brief membership) have been for free events, or even 'come and see me 
and I'll buy the first beer'... Thus this one had quite a different tone 
- and left quite a different taste! I doubt I'll be attending...

To reinforce present policy or get the ball rolling on a review, per M 
and C's points:
1 the person/group/organisation placing an advertisement should be 
clearly identified, as should any profit motive or intent as to 
surplus/source of subsidy
2 the relationship of the above to GLLUG should appear, and thereafter 
any discount or 'special offer' to GLLUG members
3 the advertisement should state the 'downside' facts up-front, eg 
location, date(s), cost'
4 whether spam or UCE, given that it is not a GLLUG event, perhaps the 
message's title/subject field should have some sort of ADV prefix?

Regards,
=dn
-- 
Gllug mailing list  -  Gllug at gllug.org.uk
http://lists.gllug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug