"Scot Kamins" <kamins DeleteThis @dogeared.com> wrote in message
news:kamins-F5B466.08164615092003@corp.supernews.com...
> In article <bk4bqo$ouns2$1@ID-169501.news.uni-berlin.de>,
> "John Yamamoto-Wilson" <john DeleteThis @rarebooksinjapan.com> wrote (in part):
> > [It might be good] if the FAQs were
> > rephrased or added to in such a way that it is totally,
> > transparently,unambiguously clear, even to people with less than
> > two brain cells to rub together that, while commercial *postings*
> > are inappropriate, it is perfectly OK to post on-topic and add a
> > link to any URL (commercial or otherwise) in one's *signature*.
> I like it. It doesn't take much to change the FAQ (Mike?), it seems to
> hurt nothing, and it might help to prevent further discussion
> nonsense.
>
> Scot Kamins
> --
....
Scot, if you wish to contemplate changes to the FAQ, then you
are of course free to do so. But for my part at least, issues
regarding the wording of the FAQ are no longer of any real
concern. Or any matters arising.
First of all, because no matter how carefully you word any
Charter\FAQ which is designed to be fair to everybody, this is
never ever going to prevent a determined person such as Mr Finnan
from driving a Coach and Horses through it, and doing exactly as
he pleases. Basically there's very little, if anything, anyone can
actually do, to stop anyone from engaging in blatantly commercial
activities which are clearly in violation of the spirit of the Ng
Charter. If that is they'e sufficiently brass necked to withstand
the criticism. And in addition there's no telling what they might
do, were they balked. These concerns I might add are solely directed
towards Mr. Finnan's activities and his alone. Despite possible
appearance to the contrary. Given that I have no knowledge of the
actual status of any of the other *supposedly* commercial sites
being *advertised* on here. Possibly many of which are mainly
pipe dreams in any case.
Secondly the suggestion made by John is clearly unworkable.
Because it depends on posts remaining *on-topic*. And I don't
think anyone needs reminding that many individual posts and entire
threads on the NG, such as those devoted to Oxfam, US Thrift stores
and their effect on booksellers, book marketing issues generally,
i.e selling on Ebay rather than buying from Ebay and the like are
indeed decidedly *off-topic* insofar as *on-topic* can be defined
as falling within the original intentions of the group. So who
exactly polices those threads and posts, for topicality? And what
exact sanction does the Ng have, if somebody persists in including
an advertising sig while posting on off-topic issues?
Furthermore, this will simply open up even bigger cans of worms with
interminable discussions about what is, and what isn't, on and off
topic, often by those who are determined to post their commercial
sig at almost whatever cost.
As I said, IMO a totally impractical poposal at best. Which is
hardly surprising. Given that it's simply a pretext to justify what
might otherise be regarded as questionable practices.
AFAICS any Newsgroup can decide to either seek to forbid all commercial
activity whatsoever including sigs - which then gives it absolute moral
authority at least. Which clearly isn't going to happen here. If only
because it goes against all the precedents which have somehow become
established since the NewsGroup's inception.
Or it can simply continue to paper over the cracks. With all kinds of
conflicting stipulations which to the incurious at least, are open to
all manner of interpretation. And which can therefore never really
settle anything. But instead leave wide-open loopholes to be exploited
by those who are suficently determined to do so. And who quite clearly
couldn't give a hoot about the spirit behind the setting up of the
Newsgroup, at least as this can be discerned from the Charter
and the FAQ.
michael one-brain-cell adams
....
1.4 What Kind of Posts are Appropriate?
Who else collects ...?
Where can I find information about ...?
Event announcements: Fairs, shows, auctions, etc.
What information about it can anyone tell me?
About how much is it worth? (Please check the major online
catalogues first: see section 2.4.)
What edition do I have?
* first edition points
* detailed annotated bibliographies
* tips on book preservation and repair
* glossaries of book collecting terminology
* lists of bookstores specializing in individual authors
* rarity and comparitive value of particular books (as opposed to an
individual's selling price)
Here are a few appropriate subject titles:
~ REQ: Bukowski First Edition Points
~ Anybody have a rarity list for Boni-Liveright Modern Library books?
~ Bibliography of Philip K. Dick short stories (first printings)
~ Help: How do I stop a hinge from splitting?
~ San Francisco/Bay Area Book Fair Dates
~ Amsterdam dealers in Hemingway first editions
~ What's the difference between "very good" and "almost fine"?
>> Stay informed about: The Amazing World of Books 
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