[lug] Question on allowable posts to BLUG

[Paul E Condon]

Posting solicitations to participate in a marketing study is no
different than posting solicitations to purchase a member enhancing
potion. It doesn't matter whether it is Microsoft, or some other
corporation that has displayed a more positive attitude toward
open source. It is Spam. 

On Fri, Dec 19, 2003 at 12:27:03AM -0700, Chris Riddoch wrote:
> Hi, folks.
> 
> Being thoroughly indecisive as usual, I'd like to ask folks for advice
> on how to handle the following request I got off-list.  I'm bringing
> it on the list specifically to get opinions on how to answer these in
> the future (this isn't the first mail of this variety I've received,
> by the way.)
> 
> It's... well... here it is:
> 
> > I am a program manager in the Microsoft networking group, doing some
> > research around how we can improve our operating systems. My goal is
> > to help us identify capabilities, improvements, and features that
> > Microsoft should be focusing on to help our customers over the next
> > 5 years or so.  I am particularly interested in hearing from Linux
> > users, and get their input about what they feel should be
> > priorities.

Somewhere I read: 
Those who are ignorant of UNIX are bound to reinvent it, badly.

> > 
> > I was wondering if you would mind if I posted a message on your
> > Linux mailing list (lug at lug.boulder.co.us) asking for feedback? I
> > want to ask for people to e-mail me directly if they would be
> > interested in taking an on-line survey I have put together (sorry, I
> > don't want to post the survey URL directly to the public).
> > 
> > If you don't feel this is an appropriate use of your list, that's
> > fine. Of course, I am always eager to hear your thoughts if you
> > wanted to share them. :)
> 
> Opinions?
> 

This is a request to spam us, from an organization that is committed
to a path to failure, independent of any advice that one or another of
us might give them. 

And, they can learn about all there is to know about open source
simply by lurking on this and other similar lists. That they feel the
need to spam us, is further evidence that they are on a path to failure.

-- 
Paul E Condon           
pecondon at peakpeak.com