[MUD-Dev] Re: ADMIN: Advertising on MUD-Dev

[s001gmu at nova.wright.edu]

On Mon, 10 Aug 1998, Caliban Tiresias Darklock wrote:

> On 01:45 AM 8/10/98 -0700, I personally witnessed quzah jumping up to say:
> >
> >At any rate, I'm
> >sure you all have some brilliant (or just something simple that I have
> 
> >overlooked) way that it would work better, but those are some problems
> >that came to my mind.
> 
> Find the first tag. Skip to the end of the message. Backscan to the last
> tag. Truncate.
> 
> Perceived Problem: User brainfault tolerance. What if you forget one?
> Or both?

Don't require both tags.  In the case of mail services that only append an
advert, no tag is necessary at the beginning of the message.  Allow two
tags, one tag, or no tags.  If two are found, include only what is found
betwixt them, if one, only what is before it, none, include the whole
message.  Make sure to remove the tags from message posted.  Brain farts
can be 50% taken care of via .sig files, and the other 50% via list
pressure.

I have to state that I find the whole thing somewhat ridiculous, but I
also find JC's objections somewhat ridiculous.  I applaud your efforts to
create an advertising free backwater on the 'net, JC, but be careful not
to let the cost outweigh the benefits.  I personally don't have a problem
sifting through the adds to get to the meat of the article (mayhaps
because I spent _far_ too much time watching TV as a kid), especially when
we know the adverts will be at the end of the message (or at the
beginning, but I have yet to see any of those).  

Do what ye will, master of the list.  I have stated my view, and will let
it lie at that.

-Greg