Frequently Asked Questions
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Charter:  biz.marketplace.computers.mac is a forum for profit-motivated
          users to offer and request hardware and software for
          Macintosh-architecture systems.  This forum shall permit
          advertisements of components and systems which are commonly
          used in Macintosh computers.  Articles should be tailored to
          reflect the Mac-specific nature of this forum.  It is the
          moderators sole responsibility and unquestioned authority to
          ensure that articles adhere to the charter.

Q.  Is advertising allowed on biz.marketplace.computers.mac?

A.   Advertising is allowed within the topic area of the charter but no more
     than once per week.  More than that messes up everyone's chances to
     keep readers coming back to read more.  Off topic and off color
     advertising does the same thing.  If you step on other business folk's
     toes, you can expect to hear about it.

     Anything that sounds remotely like it may be a Chain Letter, Ponzi, or
     other unethical business practice may be selectively forwarded to NFIC
     for investigation.  If your message qualifies for alt.make.money.fast,
     it doesn't belong on the biz groups.

     Although advertising is allowed on this group, the best way to get a
     reader's attention is through a good discussion thread.  Very few will
     buy a magazine just to read advertising.  It's the interesting articles
     and new product bargains that get pages turned and TV channels tuned.

Q.   Is there any specific format which messages should follow?

A.   Articles should reflect a professional and business like attitude and
     be limited to plain text and the upper 128 characters.  Messages that
     contain HTML or MIME encoding waste space and limit your readership.
     Set your margins for a maximum of 80 characters per line so everyone
     can easily read your posting.

Q.   Do all messages have to be in English?

A.   Although most of the messages you see on the biz groups are in English,
     it's not a requirement.  Messages in other languages are welcome as
     well as using the entire ASCII character set so you can spell your
     name properly.  Posting in your language, with a translation in
     English, will give you the widest audience.

Q.   What's the best way to present my business on the newsgroups?

A.   Folks with whom you'd like to be doing business with will make their
     decisions based on their impression of your messages.  During a
     discussion, you may read messages from someone who has an opinion
     totally different from yours.  Feel free to discuss the difference of
     opinion but try to avoid getting hurt feelings involved.  You will be
     asked to use E-Mail if messages are personal attacks or the language
     belongs elsewhere.

Q.   What if I want to avoid the E-Mail spammers?

A.   Messages are expected to come from legitimate addresses.  Attempts to
     avoid E-Mail responses and anonymous messages are not a good business
     practice.  It's like trying to do business with an unlisted phone
     number.  We also encourage the use of real names in From lines rather
     than funny handles or trying use it as advertising.

Q.   Is it okay to advertise MLM opportunities?

A.   Because of the tendency for MLM'rs to over saturate, make exaggerated
     earning claims, and drive off newsgroup readers, Multi-Level Marketing
     ads are discouraged and belong only on newsgroups which are chartered
     specifically for MLM purposes.

Q.   How can I advertise without getting into trouble?

A.   Some newsgroups, like this one, do accept advertising.  Don't go by the
     messages you see.  Check the charters to be sure and what you wish to
     promote fits within the topic area before posting.  For the "biz"
     hierarchy in general, please refer to the biz meta-FAQ posted on
     biz.config periodically by Ed Hew, the biz Newsgroup Authority.

     Drop by http://www.bizynet.com/faq-news.htm to access all of the biz
     newsgroups FAQ's.  Click the [Return to Index] button to find even
     more information on how to get the most from the newsgroups.

Hope you find biz groups both enjoyable and profitable,