Excellent post...let's hear more feedback!
Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: jonathanharris@e... [mailto:jonathanharris@e...]
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 9:13 PM
To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [BRHSlist] Commercial Postings on BRHSlist
Dave and List --
Thanks for taking this poll. I'm all in favor of polls and of majority
rule, but a little more clarification and maybe some discussion/debate
might help us make a better decision. (I just voted but felt I did so in
brute ignorance.... Since it says we can change our votes right up to the
cut-off date, maybe it's not too late.)
In the four months I've been a subscriber, I've felt able to get plenty of
commercial information off both the list and the BRHS web site, through its
Modelers Depot. Between those two sources, I've found Dave's Q Connection,
Eric Mumper's covered hoppers, news of the re-publication of "Burlington in
Transition" and "Waycars...." I've also seen Railpub notices, useful
information from Jim's Junction, and even got an update from CIL in
response to my somewhat cynical posting last month about the prognosis for
their O-3s.
How would any of this change if more/fewer commercial postings were
allowed? What would "commercial" postings look like? Can someone point to
an example?
I also am a little concerned about how votes will be tallied in this poll.
A person who votes for "no postings," for instance, would probably be
happier (as a 2nd choice) with a policy allowing a select subset ("only
approved by list moderator" or "only Burlington-related") than with a
policy of unrestricted postings. Yet if those three choices ("none,
"moderator-approved only" and "Burlington only") each garnered 20% of the
vote while "unrestricted" received 25%, "unrestricted" presumably would
win. Maybe there should be a run-off between the top two vote-getters to
minimize the possibility of such distortions. That way, whatever wins will
have at least 50% approval.
If we do allow (more) commercial postings, I would only ask that we observe
the basic rules of common courtesy and common sense: that our moderator
(whom I completely trust) be open and even-handed; that there be some
filter to prevent an individual or company from saturation bombing or
posting the same information over and over; that we demand rigorous
standards of business ethics for those who offer goods or services through
these posts; and that we always remain open to tweaking or revising
whatever policy we adopt if a significant number among us feel it is not
working.
Jonathan
--------------
>In light of recent "commercial" postings, we have reviewed the YahooGroups
>Terms of Service (http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/) to double check on
the
>restrictions for making commercial postings on the BRHSlist. The section
>that strictly prohibited selling has been modified to include only SPAM
type
>solicitations. Therefore, we are no longer under those restrictions.
>Now, however, we have a decision to make...what advertising/commercial
>selling do we want to allow on the list?
>You've already been notified that we have created a poll on the BRHSlist
>YahooGroups page where you may voice your opinion. The poll will be open
>until December 12, at which time the results will be emailed to everyone on
>the list and the majority will rule.
>Thanks for your feedback.
>Dave Lotz
>BRHS Archives
>BRHSlist Owner
>
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