Re: ridecamp-d Digest V96 #62

Dominique Freeman (fadjurs@sadandy.hpl.hp.com)
Mon, 28 Oct 1996 17:53:51 -0700 (PST)

Hi All,

Having remained silent since the "Dear Sal' extrvaganza,
I feel the need to comment on Ryder Hartleys message!

There seems to have been a wide spectrum of advertising on the list
running the gamut from "shameless plugs" to "tactful sharing of
information". As a manufacturer, its often difficult to
squash the urge to talk about a product one really believes in,
especially if you spend time doing the R&D, and then take
the prototype to manufacture. Input from users is probably the
most important aspect for improving a product, feedback is essential.

Positive promotion of one's product by riders on this list is
a great compliment, sort of a validation of one's long and tedious
efforts to produce the ultimate product. On the other hand,
negative comments to the list seem to engender the need to be defensive
and often retaliate verbally, furthering the negative downwards spiral.

Some of the list members make their living from the products they sell,
comments in public can often make or break the success of a particular item.
Sometimes it is the squeaky wheel that makes the most noise,and though
a product may work well for the majority, we hear from the few dissatisfied
readers loudly and clearly ;^ ) .

I for one would like to see little or no advertising in the main body
of the list (Steph provides a comprehensive listing of products
on the home page), but rather, information disseminated in the form
of directed questions to those of us either involved in manufacture
or distribution of these products. In a sense, a sort of non *vendor
specific* discourse would serve to educate, rather than spend readers
time and money on self promotion. Equal time for advertising by
manufacturers and distributors is adequately provided, lets not
have those of us in the business abuse the privilege of list membership.

In short, Ryder Hartley needn't apologize for what has
already been abused by those before him!

just my 0.05 Lire worth,

Dom

______________________________________________________________________
Dominique Freeman | "Life is short, science is long" |
fadjurs@sadandy.hpl.hp.com | |
Hewlett Packard Laboratories, | |
Palo Alto, CA USA | |
Phone: (415) 857-8596 | |
FAX: (415) 852-8576 | |
______________________________________________________________________