"V Crenshaw" wrote:

If you look at my second posting, you will notice that I apologized for
what you guys have deemed inappropriate posting...I am not a stranger
of newsgroups. I've been a part of them since 1990ish.
...I am sensing some real anger in this group.

Yes Virginia, there is anger....but as we've become more
sophisticated, its mostly directed at those people whose background
says that they should really have known better and not at ignornat
Newbies.

If you prefer, in the old days, we simply had JimG's classic
one-liner:

"BOYCOTT CRETINS WHO RUDELY ADVERTISE IN USENET DISCUSSION GROUPS."



You could have politely just let me privately know that my post
was inappropriate, (as I've one in the past...

Sorry, but if you really were a regular participant in even half of
these USENET newsgroups as long as you claim to have been around, then
you would definitely remember the extensive history and discussions on
UCE therein, including Robert Keeney's role in some of it. Commercial
advertising is nowhere near a new issue, and your claim does put you
back far enough in time such that you should actually remember
firsthand the days when the USENET was still 100% government-funded
and it carried a global prohibition on all commercial advertising.
Which meant that it didn't need to be repeated in individual group
Charters/FAQ's, as that would be redundent.

Specifically in regards to your comment on the inappropriateness of
public criticism, it must be remembered that it is the chicken that
came after the Egg of UCE/SPAM. It has long since been hashed out
that a public complaint is the lesser evil, as it not only serves as a
deterrence to others,but also as a public display of the values of the
group which facilitates understanding through
communication/expression, as well as allowing either revalidation or
change, as appropriate. IMO, it minimizes and prevents future UCE
interruptions, particuarly as "the word" gets out within the
community. If you think that this means that you're being made an
example of, you're right...but simultaneously, its nothing personal.


Finally, here's the formal RSL charter for your enlightenment:


CHARTER: rec.scuba.locations

"The purpose of this group will be to exchange information (preferably
first-hand) about dive sites, dive locations (including live-aboards),
dive operations at these locations, how to get yourself and your gear
there, and where to stay/eat/play once you do. Commercial
advertisements are not appropriate."


Please note the last line carefully, particularly the fact that unlike
some other newsgroups, rsl has no exception for personal For Sale
announcements.


-hh