Spam, glorious spam spam spam

[10 Yetis]

Morning and happy weekend my fellow UKBF people

Right then, quick question... Up until now, for the several years I have used this forum if I see a post from someone that gives me an idea which could in turn help their business (mainly a PR opportunity) I would just send them a PM... or if it is generic I would post it on the forum.

Now though, I have noticed that there is this whole negative thing going down with people being accused of spamming, people obviously actually spamming, innocent people caught in a spam crossfire and as a consequence legal threats being banded around everywhere life the alamo... :D

So where does that leave me? Right now I have seen someone's post, I have an idea that I think could help them, don't want to post it in the general forum but if I PM them will I be stoned at the gates of hell by a mad bunch shouting jehova?

Answers on a postcard and don't forget, spam now also comes in a new flavour:

http://www.spam-uk.com/default.asp


:D

[creacom]

lol...Andy

You have brightened up my Saturday morning !!! I think that there is a difference between sending someone a PM to say

" Oh here is my service, do you want to buy from me ? "

And

" I have seen your message and think that I might be able to offer you some advice...."

Helping and selling are two different things. Personally I havent received any PM spam for the moment.

Jacqui ':D'

[creospace]

Spam has become a realtive term, what is one mans spam is anothers helpful information etc.

'will I be stoned at the gates of hell by a mad bunch shouting jehova? '

What about allah?

[10 Yetis]

very good points made by all so far...

I was under the impression that any form of unsolicited email is spam, well, not just spam, but evil spam... the sort that must be rooted out and destroyed before it takes over the world (or, slightly less sinister, at least until you press delete?) :D

As for Allah, go for it my friend, the more the merrier...

let me re-phrase, "will I be stoned at the gates of <insert bad place here> by a mad bunch shouting <insert deity of choice here>...

[creospace]

let me re-phrase, "will I be stoned at the gates of <insert bad place here> by a mad bunch shouting <insert deity of choice here>...

personally, option a suits me better but I’m all for open inclusiveness in this multi faceted forum :)

Sorry going off topic now, :)

'2 pebbles and a packet of grit please'

[Rob Holmes]

Andy,

I guess I've put this in other ways in other threads..

If it's a PM responding to a problem and you have a possible solution thats one thing - but a PM offering a solution to no problem is something else.

In response to your weblink above I'd like to mention we'll be setting up http://www.youre-a-stupid-spammer.info shortly for anyone to refer spammers to.

Rob

[bwglaw]

I presume 10Yetis is referring to my post. An interesting question...

I think whether it is spam depends on the circumstances, what is acceptable and what is not, how the spam was sent, how frequent and whether the 'spam' is purely commercial (ambigiuous I know, is viagra commercial?, yes if being sold!)

If for example 10Yetis sent me a PM, appropriately worded to engage my interest and not just for his benefit then I would not consider it as spam, especially on this forum. Additionally, you have been a member for a while now so any communication becomes acceptable.

In the circumstances where I made a very firm post (although was criticised for it)(who cares!) this person had only just joined and several other people stated in public that they had been spammed and the PM was purely for his own commercial benefit, then it is unacceptable. Which is why I feel my public post was justified.

As this is a business forum and we all more or less run a business of some kind we know what is expected of professionals and business people alike. We have become accustomed to the ethos of this forum and anything out of the ordinary becomes unacceptable. Many on this forum have not been 'spammed' and the issue has just reared its ugly head.


Jonathan

PS Please note that the above is purely the opinion of the author and no member of this forum is deprived, whether express or implied, of their fundamental right to express an opinion herein! ;)

[bwglaw]

If it's a PM responding to a problem and you have a possible solution thats one thing - but a PM offering a solution to no problem is something else.


A very good summation ;)

[Rob Holmes]

If it's a PM responding to a problem and you have a possible solution thats one thing - but a PM offering a solution to no problem is something else.


A very good summation ;)

And 'generally' the other way around for the majority of threads on the forums.. (There are exceptions like time out, PR and Offers forums)

The first post should be a members problem not a solution to any members problems :)

Rob

[MarkPearson]

Just out of curiosity...

Does anyone know why its called SPAM?

Strange name for unwanted emails/messages don't you think?

[creacom]

PS Please note that the above is purely the opinion of the author and no member of this forum is deprived, whether express or implied, of their fundamental right to express an opinion herein! ;)

Why do you have a kind of disclaimers notice with your post ???

Jacqui :D

[bwglaw]

Read the thread in Offers....about advertising for £13...I think..

[Jayne]

Hi Mark,

Found this for you to read..

http://www.templetons.com/brad/spamterm.html

Jayne :D

[Tin]

Mark wrote:
Does anyone know why its called SPAM?


I read somewhere that it originates from one particular sketch in the Month Python series of the 70's, sorry can't help more.

Ray :-)

[Tin]

Nice one Jayne :-)

Ray

[10 Yetis]

Handson (what is your real name, I feel odd calling you by your user name), not aimed at anyone in general... guess it comes down to this:

Where as once in my exhuberant youth I would quite happily have PM'd someone without worrying to much, now I have a reputational concern.

In my line of work (probably the same for everyone) I cannot really afford for people to then come on the forum in response to my PM and start spouting off about how I have spammed them.

And as Rob, my hosting hero, points out, I am actually not PM'ing them about a problem they have, it is more of, I have seen something they have done and think I could help them get coverage in a key area... so technically I am spamming.

In fact, lets go crazy... I am going to PM them anyway... everyone, guard your inbox's :D

and remember... blessed are the cheese makers for they shall inherit the earth.

[Rob Holmes]

And as Rob, my hosting hero, points out, I am actually not PM'ing them about a problem they have, it is more of, I have seen something they have done and think I could help them get coverage in a key area... so technically I am spamming.

I would welcome a PM from you if you can see how you could help me - but thats because I 'know' you (in the non-biblical sense)

I think it's a different kettle of 'poisson' when it comes to established members.

I await your spam :)

Rob

[10 Yetis]

Rob, don't be shy... we will always have in our mind that "special" night in the Hatfield travel lodge! :D :D

[Jayne]

You can PM spam me anytime Andy :D

Oh and call Handsongroup Jonny Boy, he loves that :lol:

Tell him Jayne said to call him that though, so you don't get in trouble :lol:

Jayne

[Urban Space]

You'll never be able to beat Monty Python! :lol:!

Liam

[Magsite]

Hi all

I've had loads and loads of help via PM and would like to say I appreciate 95% of PM's

Lisa

[bwglaw]

First - Lisa1979 - I think we get the message my dear ;) your banner is pretty large?... I know we all care about accessibility...but... ;) I'm on a laptop and it has made the UKBF wider!

Andy, you are good at writing eloquent articles/posts etc. I am good at reading between the lines. Let em teach you...watch and learn.. here goes:

First, you see the line _______________ Yes?

Just look slightly underneath... before 'Group'....what do you see..?

Hey presto, my name...well done Andy...you got it!

In short, Rob said everything I wanted to say ;) Feel free to spam but if you are going to be offering a marketing service of some kind... be warned...we have our own marketing team ;)

[Magsite]

Hi Johnathan

Is it my banner making this screen wider? I changed the size but it still looks wide

The banner fits well imbetween I would of thought.

Lisa

[10 Yetis]

Jonathan, you make me laugh.... :lol: see, laughter.

[bwglaw]

Lisa...looks better, at least on my machine. Now I don't have to use the bottom scroll bar ;)

Glad we understand each other Andy...emoticons are lifesavers!

In fact, on a heated thread about the pinkmilliondollar or whatever I made some comments in a legal manner and someone who I have not associated with had replied to say post was rather harsh etc. I PM'd this person and said I was being humourous and they said I should have used emoticons ;) Although my reply was in haste. See..

[ewan]

*off topic*

Hey Lisa, I was kinda bored so I made this for your sig:


http://www.micro-maul.co.uk/images/lotto.gif


Its less pixelated and will fit on the page better (your new one still makes the scroller appear on my comp). Feel free to use it if you want.

[bwglaw]

Looks good... I think the width could be smaller, perhaps the standard size of a banner.

If we all get banners this is going to motivate Ozzy to issue some invoices ;) mine will be done soon...ish

[Jayne]

That's great Ewan :D

If you get bored again, i'll have one too for my painting site.(sorry that was cheeky) :lol:

Very nice work, i'm well impressed.

Jayne

[Admiral Collections]

Jonathan, maybe, just maybe and sue me if I'm wrong, there could be miniscule chance that actually you are not funny. The thread you were referring to as well, the pink million dollar one, if I remember rightly you were incredibly nasty and spiteful.



Nic :wink:

[bwglaw]

If I am not funny, dont laugh then and since when did I claim to be funny?

Do refer me to where I was being 'incredibly nasty and spiteful'

You tend to have the habit of insulting people, especially men on here! I actually question your tactics. And please do not contact us again for legal advice. I do not wish to work with those who insult me.

[Admiral Collections]

Jonathan PM if you have an issue.


Nic :wink:

[bwglaw]

And be insulted in private after being insulted in public...no thanks...have better things to do

[ewan]

:) Give me a slogan to stick on it Jayne

[Jayne]

Oh I didn't think of that Ewan?

I don't know... Jayne's Art

How's that :lol:

Jayne

[ewan]

http://www.micro-maul.co.uk/images/jaynesart.gif

:wink:

[Jayne]

Oh that's lovely Ewan. I'm going to swap the top bit on my web site for that, it's much better than I did. If ever I can help you, just ask and it's done :D

Really excellent job and so quick too. I'm so chuffed with that.

Big Thank You

Jayne x :D

[bwglaw]

Ewan

Watch out you might be bombarded with offers to do more! ;)

Good work Ewan...

[Jayne]

Hi has a talent there, don't you think Jonathan :D

Could be another business plan lurking :wink:

Jayne

[bwglaw]

Hmm...could offer banner services for the other forum ;) ...how's that for an idea!

[Jayne]

Great Idea Jonathan,

I'm that impressed with Ewan's banner, i've just changed my art website and put it on the top. It looks very classy now, very pro like :D

Jayne

[bwglaw]

Is 'Yorkshire Art' any better?...could even add your bowbiz logo and provide links in the banner..?

[ewan]

If i'm bored tommorow (you can almost certainly count on it!) I'll see what I can do about making an html site for you Jayne, much easier to sort out the layout for things like new banners etc then.

[clairemackaness]

This thread is turning into banner exchange! LOL

With regard to spam PM's I've never really had anything I didn't appreciate, only 1 or 2

Anyone who wants to do me any banners or logos by the way (cough, cough ewan) is more than welcome! LOL

[Jayne]

Is 'Yorkshire Art' any better?...could even add your bowbiz logo and provide links in the banner..?


Cheeky, it's just the Yorkshire bit that's better :lol: My pics are global :lol:

Thanks Ewan, not sure what you mean, but i'm sure it will be smashing :D

Jayne

[ewan]

I'll see what I can do claire :wink: