Letters to the Editor

SPAM-lite in FidoNews?

Dear Editor:

It was with growing dismay that I read the two-page press release from Fast Engines, Inc. embedded in FIDO1606.NWS, touting their new web server utility. What made it worse was that it was the longest "article" in the Snooze -- although that is not the point. I'm really very disappointed.

I didn't like the idea when you announced in FIDO1547.NWS that you would allow ads that related to "BBSs and/or Fidonet", but I assumed that you meant it would be limited to commerical products applicable to the majority of FidoNet.

I assumed wrongly, it seems. Since the simple majority of us still run POTS dial-up BBSi and don't run web servers, Fast Engine's product has no utility for us. In fact, it amounts to SPAM-lite, if you will --a little less salty but it still gets piped directly to an audience that didn't solicit the ad, can't use the product, don't want it and still must pay to haul and store it.

I note that several to the Snooze Editor on this subject were published in 1998 (Gary Petersen, Dave Garland in FIDO1523, Doc Logger in FIDO1547) and that all of them were objections. When Zorch raised the question FIDO1522, he appeared to have qualms about the appropriateness of commerical ads. Since the readership has commented that it doesn't want commerical ads, I ask that you revise your stand and cease publishing them.

If I'm hungry for highly processed stuff in a brightly colored package, I'll seek it out on my own.

Lee Ayrton 1:320/455 dayrton@mail.welseyan.edu

ED: The editor has the right to publish what he/she thinks is appropriate for the newsletter. I have made it quite clear in the FIDONEWS echo, that I will allow advertising, provided it relates to computers and/or communication(s).
No one editor, regardless for which or what publication it might be, has the same oppinion about what should or not be placed in the their newsletter, magazine or newspaper. Your objection has been noted and I appriciate feedback. Thanks.