FAQ - biz.marketplace.non-computer -
Chris Gunn
(Moderated)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Charter: biz.marketplace.non-computer provides a forum for profit
motivated users to offer to buy and sell merchandise which is
not computer related. This forum shall permit advertisements
for products which provide a value of exceptional interest to
the readership. Posts specifically off-topic include MLM
recruiting, pyramids, bulk E-Mail, and any messages that do not
provide a valid reply address. Services and Web Page vendors
should post offerings on service oriented biz.marketplace.*
groups. It is the moderators sole responsibility and
unquestioned authority to ensure that articles adhere to the
charter.
Q. Is advertising for products allowed on biz.marketplace.non-computer?
A. Advertising is allowed within the topic area of the charter and no
more than once every ten days. 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 this group is for advertising, 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. If my messages are rejected, how will I know why?
A. Whenever possible, the moderators will respond to rejected messages
explaining the problem. If you use a fake or bogus address,
obviously the moderators can't reach you.
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. 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.
Messages are expected to come from legitimate addresses. Attempts to
avoid E-Mail responses and anonymous messages are not a good business
practice. 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
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.
Please feel free to ask for additional details. The BIZynet network
(http://www.bizynet.com) offers a variety of services for advertising
and conducting business via the E-Ways (Electronic Highways).
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. Our
@bizynet.com domain is a respected E-Mail address for business folks
for many reasons.
We hope you find biz groups both enjoyable and profitable,
Chris Gunn
<cg...@bizynet.com>
www.bizynet.com and www.bizycart.com