Steve -

> Would you like to know how I feel about
> this? Email me and I'll tell you. Of course
> I will add your name to my list and send you
> future offers.

Why are some people so skeptical about this? (You're not the only one, Steve.) The guy is offering *free* information. I've gotten the first installment. There isn't even a link to a website.

> What happened to using a website to inform,
> educate and entice visitors to join your
> mailing list?

How is this any different than me leaving a link to a website where you sign up for the autoresponder?

> I've had similar posts on my board, but they
> just get deleted because by my definition of
> blatant advertising this type of advertising
> doesn't belong on discussion boards and is
> in a category lower then posting a blatant
> ad.

Steve, how does this classify as advertising?

1. The man isn't selling anything.

2. I checked with Dien before I posted it.

3. He's offering *free*, no obligation
information.

4. If people don't want it, they can simply ignore it. But I gotta tell you that *hundreds* of people have already signed up.

> Forums are for discussion and sharing
> information, not gathering subscribers FOR
> the information.

And I still don't see how this is any different than me posting a message telling you about this new free web site or discussion board with a link at the end. (After getting approval from Dien like I did here.)

> No offence to you Rick. I think you're a
> great guy. I find this kind of marketing
> tactic objectionable. There isn't a nice way
> to put it. It stinks.

Thanks. I think you're a great guy too. I just think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I still can't see what's objectionable about it. It's not a marketing tactic. The man is making free information available. That's it. The only reason he chose to do it this way is because so many people signed up to receive the information.

Rick Smith, "The Net Guerrilla"