FAQ - biz.marketplace.services.computers -

Computer Services Postings
(Moderated)

Frequently Asked Questions
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Charter: biz.marketplace.services.computers provides a forum for profit-
motivated users to offer services which are primarily centered
around all aspects of computing. This forum shall include
services offered by network access providers, freelance
programmers, computer-specific shopping services, non-profit
organizations seeking donations of computers, computer recyclers
and repair, and other services which reflect the computer-specific
atmosphere of this group. It is the moderator's sole unquestioned
responsibility and authority to ensure articles adhere to the
Charter.


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

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. What happens if I ignore the charter and post advertising?

A. The biz.marketplace.services.discussion newsgroup is moderated, the
moderator being Peter Dimas. The UseNet News mechanism at both the
user interface and transport level does not permit posting or
propagation of an article without the moderators approval. Instead,
it E-Mails them to the moderator's address for approval and posting.


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 IBM ASCII 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 posts.


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 IBM 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. Why do my messages sometimes not appear in the newsgroups?

A. If you cross-post to a "(Moderated)" newsgroup such as this one, the
message is sent to the Moderator as E-Mail instead of being posted to
the newsgroups. The Moderator then decides what will appear in the
newsgroup itself. If accepted, you may not see your message until the
next day or so. Please do not cross-post to Moderated newsgroups and
post to them only as individual messages.


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.


We hope you find biz groups both enjoyable and profitable,

Peter Dimas
pdimas DeleteThis @medicomp.net