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From: mike@enmasse.UUCP (Mike Schloss)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Re: MCI ad
Message-ID: <391@enmasse.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Apr-85 13:41:08 EST
Article-I.D.: enmasse.391
Posted: Tue Apr 16 13:41:08 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Apr-85 02:42:44 EST
References: <405@nmtvax.UUCP> <633@vortex.UUCP>
Organization: Enmasse Computer Corp., Acton, Mass.
Lines: 39

> Hey gang... While I disdain the use of the network for commercial
> advertising (of the blatant sort) as much as most other people,
> remember that, given the furor that appears whenever people start
> talking about "moderation," there's going to be LOTS more advertising
> as time goes by.  In fact, as the network grows, I'd expect to see
> a lot more blatant ads, many of which will probably be voluminous.
> And you know what?  There's not a damn thing we can do about it.

... more on why we can stop misuse of the net unless we moderate ...

> --Lauren--
> 

Sorry to disagree with one of the leading net gurus but I feel you are
completely wrong about the net not being able to do anything about net
abusers.  The net is anything but a paper tiger.  If anything, it is
more like a spoiled child.  If it doesnt get something the way it likes
it rants, raves, and makes plenty of threats.  Most of these threats can
be easily carried out.  Look at all the commotion caused by a certain
Princeton person posting software that wasn't "100% bugfree".  Some of
the mail he got caused people to send letters to various system
administartors asking them to hang the perpetrators or at least revoke
their net priveleges.  When "The Solution" posted its ad,  people
threatened to cutoff the sites that were feeding it.  All it takes is
one site aynwhere upstream saying "Stop feeding news to site xyzzy or
I'm cutting you off".  This may be vary arbitrary and dictatorial, but
it works.  As far as going to another site for a feed, it aint as easy
as it sounds.  It may be impossible once the site has developed a
reputation.  A bad guy may get around it but if they go back to their
old tricks they'll get cut off again.  I still feel that enforced
moderation is unneccessary and will eventually kill the net (due to lack
of use).  If people wany moderated newsgroups, let them use them.  Thats
what they are there for.  If there is too much junk in the unmoderated
news goups, dont read them.  If you think someone is abusing the net,
let them know.  If that doesn't work, let their system administrator know.
If that still doesnt work, complain to their feed site.  If enough people
complain, things do get done.

				Mike Schloss