...I mean, I know this is a 'Tips and Deals' section, but th re-hashing of 'free' offers has been extreme the past several days. Perhaps a 'Free Deals' section could be installed, but that could also lead to other sections that could bloat the forum.

The same things are found on other 'deal' sites...and many are just copy/paste jobs. I didn't think people would actually take the time to do that (create a new topic...rinse, repeat...).

Good for the post count, I guess. : )

Anyways...sorry, just venting...

---

...yea, probably just me. : )

---

onthedownlow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...yea, probably just me. : )
>
>


No - not just you

---

lafinfil Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> onthedownlow Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ...yea, probably just me. : )
> >
> >
>
>
> No - not just you
>
>
>

What laf' said.

I hear that there is another forum that is divided into five sections to address concerns like this.

This isn't it.

I enjoy reading some of the free posts, but they could probably be concentrated, as in:

"Free donut, vaginal contraceptive film, Nicorette gum, dry erase marker & latex gloves"

That would keep four other posts from being bumped off the front page right there.

Nice shot Lux!

---

---------
3GHz - The clock is STILL ticking Steve.

The primary purpose of the giveaways is advertising, and email collecting. I've heard that agents who provide such leads get commissions, not that Newt is. It's like paying someone to stand at the entrance to a supermarket or in the aisles giving away free samples, but going one step further and demanding your email, name, address, phone number, and whatever other "qualifying information" they want. To me that's not "free."

Why don't we just get the Tips and Deals section separated into two separate forums: one for Macintosh related things, and Deals for free vaginal wart cream... P.S. I hate the free offer nuisance.

---

This message has been brought to you by the Threadkiller™

Lux Interior Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I hear that there is another forum that is divided
> into five sections to address concerns like this.
>
> This isn't it.

Exactly why I mentioned "...could lead to other sections that could bloat the forum."

...I had that in mind.

---

I don't mind the free stuff individual posts. I kinda like that each one is its own individual offer.

I don't understand why things falling off the first page is such a big deal. Whenever I visit the forum, I view more than just the first page. I go as far back as I need to in order to make sure I haven't missed anything. On any given day, that's not more than a page or two - even WITH the multiple free stuff posts.

I'm happy to see the free posts. Only take advantage once in a while, but I like them.



Edit--Ok, I've reconsidered as I scanned down the posts just now. It does seem to have gotten more voluminous of late...



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2006 12:54PM by Michael.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Some people like it when their inbox is full of spam, too, I guess.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2006 12:51PM by hwystar.

hwystar - I've taken advantage of quite a few of the "free" offers that Newton and others have posted. Only ONE of those offers resulted in me receiving spam.

Most are from reputable, well known companies that just want to get the word out about their new products. They wouldn't risk their reputations on sending out SPAM. Most of the offers do have a check box to ask whether you'd like to receive other such future offers. I always make sure to say "no." Never had a hassle.

Bottom line is that these companies hope that you'll like the free sample SO much, you'll start buying their particular product(s).

A number of the ones Newton has posted come from places like startsampling.com (a well known website where you can sign up for freebies that have been specifically selected for you).

Again, no gimmic.


Of course there's no such thing as a free lunch - these companies are just taking a gamble that by sending out free samples, they'll gain some new customers. No different than these companies spending $$$$$ on advertising.

all I have to say is it isn't me!

After the last time, I have entered a (50 step) program. . .




and been more selective of what free stuff, I post. . .if you go through the posts on the forum you will see that means usually around 2 or 3 together. . .

(I also try to post ones from "reputable" place/product. . .if it is questionable. . .I usually don't post it. . the only exception might be free t-shirt ones.)

(and no I don't get paid/commission for any of them)



I'm posting (trying to post) more "deals" then "Free" stuff. . .


By the way, most of us are adults so we know that "FREE" doesn't really mean free. . .that is a given with most of these posts. (though some come close like the free pink razor. . .or the $25 Eddie bauer certificate. . .)


And contrary to what people were saying. . .I don't care what my post count is. . .I usually don't even look at my post count.


Again. . .I must reiterate. . .is it really that hard to just ignore them?

If it really is that much of a hardship to scroll past them you probably have bigger problems to contend with. . .NON?





Certain members (small minority) just love to bitch & moan. . .if it wasn't the FREE posts then it would be something else. . .

Remember people B&M-ing about RGM's hurricane posts or bowlhaircut's . . ."minutes into. . .movies posts" or his Happy birthday (huge BANDWIDTH posting). . .

Just last night someone was havin' issues with me using "holla' ". . .


there has got to be something better to do. . . like maybe contributing to the forum in a healthy way?

---

_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2006 01:35PM by NewtonMP2100.

"Again. . .I must reiterate. . .is it really that hard to just ignore them? "

No Newton, it's not difficult to ignore the "annoying" things on this forum. There are plenty of posts I NEVER read.


You're right, there are people who just like to complain about things. I know I've gotten enough grief over the years from some of our fellow Mac forum posters. It always comes down to, "don't post so much about this; don't post about that; I don't like it when you post this, that or the other thing, etc."

The simple solution is to ignore the posts you're not interested in. I don't see why people have such a hard time doing that.

The only reason posts getting pushed off the front page bugs me is because of my slow dialup. Now, if you find a deal on broadband....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2006 06:26PM by Refurbvirgin.

I would like to see fewer FREE posts, though I don't have a problem if the same amount of free stuff is posted... just in fewer threads.

The reason is that when topics scroll off the front page of this list, they are basically lost. I might feel different if we had a Hot Topics list to keep good threads active. But we don't.

CONCATENATE!

---

Don't ask who the bell's for, dude. It's you.

sscutchen, but they're NOT lost. They're still there. What I've found is that a post only becomes stale after it's been on the forum for a certain length of time.

Go & look at the second page...there are still new posts being added to those topics. Obviously after the first day, responses are going to drop off dramatically.

Trying to "censor" or control the freebie posts is a slippery slope. Shouldn't we then filter all the other "crud" that's not Mac related? What about the late night (or early morning, or egg) roll calls? Aren't they doing the same thing?

This is the same argument that happened at "the other place."

My opinion is & always has been that if it's a problem, the people who run this place will take steps to rectify it.

Other than that, who are we to complain? What good is it to make our fellow forum members feel like crap for what they've posted? Did Newton REALLY deserve to be "put in his place" as he was? Why should HE have to fix what he posts and the way he posts it just because others don't like it?

We're all different & we have different ideas of what should & shouldn't be on this (and other) forums. Again, though, if this truly is a problem, shouldn't the people in charge of this forum be the ones to step in & say what's right & what's wrong?

If it's a problem, why not register complaints privately with the admins?

People: Wading through vaginal wart cream posts to find the Mac posts is like wading through a sea of spam to get to the emails you care about. It doesn't matter if all of your important email is still there. It is a nuisance. Difficult concept I know. Geez....

---

This message has been brought to you by the Threadkiller™

Duplicate post

---

_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2006 02:21PM by NewtonMP2100.

Jeez, someone takes the time to try to provide a service for others and all you folks can do is @#$%& about it. No good deed goes unpunished, as they say.
As someone commented recently (more elequently than I) if one gets bent out of shape over something this trivial, how can you even make it out of bed in the morning? Just skip the posts you don't like. It's not like they're labeled "mac help needed".
-h'

---

I suffer from the same sensitivity that you do. A few nuggets of wisdom were shared with me and I'm "trying" to incorporate them into my life. First, remember that nobody can hurt your feelings unless you let them. You can always reject what is being forced on you emotionally.
Second, nothing changes unless you change it. If you don't want the behavior to be repeated then you need to take action. Otherwise the kid has learned that his behavior is the way to get things done, because everyone lets him get away with it.
In the meantime I sympathize because I've been there.
-beerman

. . .funny. . .I find whining a nuisance. . .but I have no plans on requesting that those that partake be "reined" in. . .

By the way, as I've mentioned I like Spam. . .fried crispy with cream cheese. . .

;)

If it truly is a hardship for you. . .complain to the admins. . .as mentioned. . .


Oh. . .even if you remove the "free" post. . .have you been reading the forum? A lot of the threads are NOT mac related. . .do those bother you too?

Remove those too?

---

_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Whatever. Keep up your great work posting these "deals". Gupple, gupple, gupple.

---

This message has been brought to you by the Threadkiller™

Carthaigh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> People: Wading through vaginal wart cream posts
> to find the Mac posts is like wading through a sea
> of spam to get to the emails you care about. It
> doesn't matter if all of your important email is
> still there. It is a nuisance. Difficult concept
> I know. Geez....


No, it's not a difficult concept, Carthaigh. I have to wade through a LOT of topics I don't care about in order to see the topics I DO want to view. That's what makes forums like this so great - the diversity of it all AND the fact that the content isn't catering to just ONE person.

Just because YOU don't like it doesn't mean I don't. Would you rather that I complain about what should or shouldn't be on the forum even if it differs from what YOU want to see?

Email is a different animal. It's like comparing apples to oranges.

YOU control your email...you don't control this forum (just like I don't, etc.). YOU choose who you want to receive email from. It's when someone you DIDN'T want email from violates your private email inbox that it becomes a problem. No one forum member has total control over this forum.

Is that such a difficult concept?

Take the good with the "bad." We each have our own definition of what's bad.

I'm guessing that all the "junk mail" that you get through the post office. . .gives you constipation on a daily basis.

Hope you never get pebbles in your shoes.

;)



Psst. . .the ignore button works. . .it isn't just for decoration.


Carthaigh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Whatever. Keep up your great work posting these
> "deals". Gupple, gupple, gupple.

---

_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2006 02:37PM by NewtonMP2100.

Stephanie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> sscutchen, but they're NOT lost. They're still there. What I've found is that a post only becomes
> stale after it's been on the forum for a certain length of time.
>
> Go & look at the second page...there are still new posts being added to those topics. Obviously
> after the first day, responses are going to drop off dramatically.

I would suggest that responses drop off dramatically when posts fall off the front page, regardless of the date they were posted..

> Trying to "censor" or control the freebie posts i a slippery slope.

I thought I was clearer than I apparently was... I don't want to see the posts censored. I want to see them concatenated.

---

Don't ask who the bell's for, dude. It's you.

FYI...I wasn't referring to Newton, or any one particular person on here. In fact, I don't recall ever seeing anything Newton posted, in regards to the 'freebie' stuff...that's how much I am on here these days.

It's just that lately, the past two weeks, that there is an abundant of these individual threads. I even utilize them many times...not just on here, but elsewhere.

Yes, it's easy to ignore them...but when several take up the first page, etc...just a slight inconvenience. Shouldn't have to 'work' that hard to filter to the more useful information on the forum. I suppose I'd have to define 'useful'...but you know what I mean.

Just would be nice to have a special section for such freebies. I like to look through them too, when I'm in the mood, and it would be nice if they were concentrated all in the same space. Much like another site, that I frequent, does.

---

I don't understand the freakish compulsion to post these utterly useless freebies, but there isn't much I can do about it. I could complain I guess... maybe I'll sue....

. . .just to be clear. . .I have NEVER posted any posts that took up 30 % of a page. . .

At most I posted probably 8. . .


I gave in to peer pressure and have not posted more than 2 to 3 "FREE" posts...


AND as I have clearly stated previously. . .


I AM NOT trishno. . .trishno IS NOT I. . .


Can I be any clearer?

I can't control what another forum member does. . .

Do I need to take a lie detector test?

---

_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

NewtonMP2100 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> . . .just to be clear. . .I have NEVER posted any
> posts that took up 30 % of a page. . .
>
> At most I posted probably 8. . .
>
>
> I gave in to peer pressure and have not posted
> more than 2 to 3 "FREE" posts...
>
>
> AND as I have clearly stated previously. . .
>
>
> I AM NOT trishno. . .trishno IS NOT I. . .
>
>
> Can I be any clearer?
>
> I can't control what another forum member does. .
> .
>
> Do I need to take a lie detector test?

I assumed you were kidding before... Now I'm not so sure... better take that test just to be sure...

Yeah. . .now is the perfect time to joke around. . .

---

_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Stephanie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> sscutchen, but they're NOT lost. They're still there. What I've found is that a post only becomes
> stale after it's been on the forum for a certain length of time.
>
> Go & look at the second page...there are still new posts being added to those topics. Obviously
> after the first day, responses are going to drop off dramatically.
>
> Trying to "censor" or control the freebie posts is a slippery slope. Shouldn't we then filter all the
> other "crud" that's not Mac related? What about the late night (or early morning, or egg) roll
> calls? Aren't they doing the same thing?

I don't see anyone suggesting that the "freebie" posts be censored, or that they not be posted or allowed. What is being suggested is that the free posts be grouped together somewhat in a reasonable manner, such as one or two posts from a given user per index page, with all the free items as individual posts within that topic.


> This is the same argument that happened at "the other place."
>
> My opinion is & always has been that if it's a problem, the people who run this place will take
> steps to rectify it.

It is my understanding that this forum was set up by the owners as a service to the community, and the intent was for the forum to basically be 'by the users, for the users, and of the users'. The idea was to have the kind of forum that the users as a community want to have. If a problem arises, the idea is for the users to be able to discuss it and ideally resolve the problem, with the moderators available to lend a hand if needed. The owners of the forum are trying to run their business concerns and would rather not have to deal directly with everyday issues on the forum that can be resolved by the community itself.

The ideal is that we, as a community are the "people who run this place".


> Other than that, who are we to complain? What good is it to make our fellow forum members feel like
> crap for what they've posted? Did Newton REALLY deserve to be "put in his place" as he was? Why
> should HE have to fix what he posts and the way he posts it just because others don't like it?

I think that the original opinions could have been voiced more tactfully, but the intent was not to harm anyone, just to make a constructive suggestion. And I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Personally, I do not see the need for a big drama queen overreaction to what is in essence a constructive suggestion. If the original suggestion was over the top in tone or sarcastic, there is no need to have an over the top reaction to it, that doesn't help the situation at all. Two wrongs never make a right.


> We're all different & we have different ideas of what should & shouldn't be on this (and
> other) forums. Again, though, if this truly is a problem, shouldn't the people in charge of this
> forum be the ones to step in & say what's right & what's wrong?

I already addressed this above. If you don't believe me, then ask the admins/owners yourself about it.

It is always a problem to be all things to all people, because everyone has different ideas of what they want.


> If it's a problem, why not register complaints privately with the admins?

First, it is our forum, and these things should be up for public comment and discussion. The idea is to deal with forum issues as openly and transparently as possible, to avoid the "secret police"/"secret dictatorship" approach of another forum.

Second, if someone has a complaint, it is best to voice it in the open, for all users to see, and so everyone can register their opinions, agree or disagree, give their reasons, and discuss it as a community.

This will help give us some idea of where the community stands as a whole, if users are allowed to weigh in on such topics. This is the proper format for such discussions, IMO.

Why would you want to have secret hidden dialogs between individual forum users and the forum owners if it is not necessary? My opinion is that was part of the problem, not part of the solution.

And third, it sounds as though you are suggesting that users not be allowed to voice their criticisms and opinions about forum related issues. So, you would censor criticism, or opinions that you do not agree with? Isn't that rather hypocritical to suggest that users' opinions on forum related topics be censored or not allowed, when you are complaining about "trying to "censor" or control the freebie posts"?

I have not seen anyone suggest that the "freebie" posts be censored or controlled. The only suggestions I have seen is that they be grouped together in topics, by the users who post them. I think that this is the issue that is up for discussion, unless I am mistaken.

Personally, I don't think it is a bad idea, or an unworkable one, and think that more users should contribute their opinions on the subject. That way, the posters of the free item topics can see how others feel about it, and can do as they see fit.

It might not be a bad idea to post a sticky poll on the exact question under discussion, whether it would be a better idea to group the "freebie" posts together somewhat under topic headings, and see what the users as a community think.

---

hwystar
___________________

teelblue">"The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naive and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who loves his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair." ~H. L. Mencken Ibid.: "The Coolidge Buncombe", pp.411-2



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2006 05:17PM by hwystar.

Ignore poster X does not eliminate the post. It would be nice if that were so, and the post did not appear.

I would just as soon not see most of the Newton posts, but will defend his right to post them.

I would like the ability to remove them automatically from what is presented to me for viewing.

I thought Newton was a her...

---

Don't ask who the bell's for, dude. It's you.

SIMPLE SOLUTION!

First page of the forum should be 500 threads long!





(is it possible to bold a happy face?)

Post more and scroll past what you don;t need. Dealmac used to do 7-8 pages a day. Let's build this place up.

---

-------------------------------------------------------

Join team 38910 folding! [folding.stanford.edu] multi cpu-[calxalot.homeip.net]

I agree with both Jimmypoo and Pron. More posts on the frontpage, and lets build this place up.

Hey y'all. I'm back from a wedding and saw this thread. I won't bother posting free stuff or any other deals I find anymore. Don't worry about it.

p. s. It wasn't vaginal wart cream. I know there's a bit of exaggeration involved but really...

Not for slow readers:

onthedownlow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, it's easy to ignore them...but when several
> take up the first page, etc...just a slight
> inconvenience. Shouldn't have to 'work' that hard
> to filter to the more useful information on the
> forum. I suppose I'd have to define 'useful'...but
> you know what I mean.

I guess this is why we are here; for more sections on the forum:

> Just would be nice to have a special section for
> such freebies. I like to look through them too,
> when I'm in the mood, and it would be nice if they
> were concentrated all in the same space. Much like
> another site, that I frequent, does.

trisho. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey y'all. I'm back from a wedding and saw this
> thread. I won't bother posting free stuff or any
> other deals I find anymore. Don't worry about it.
>
>
> p. s. It wasn't vaginal wart cream. I know
> there's a bit of exaggeration involved but
> really...

Don't buckle under the pressure...you do what you want. If you want to post deals, do it. You are offering a service some find valuable (I rarely look at the free stuff). You have every right to do it, and others have every right to skip over it.

Its beginning to turn into communist china in here!

Wow - this thing sure got blown out of proportion

One poster stated an opinion that the free stuff had gotten a bit out of hand recently,
and I and a few others simply stated that we felt so too.

A few others suggested a condensation of posts but no one said they should be
eliminated or censored in any way.

I don't read them for the most part and can easily ignore them if I want to
with the exception of a couple I had to look at because they were reported to the mods

I also answered the user that reported the post that they did not violate
any forum rules so they would be left as is

People are still free to post within the guidelines and others are free to voice their opinion.
I even posted a little joke that trisho should try decaf - a little joke not an attack

>
> there has got to be something better to do. . . like maybe contributing to the forum in a healthy way?
>

I have contributed an a positive way here as best I can buy answering questions,
adding some humor, and recruiting new members.

Everyone should get their free panties untwisted <humor>

POST AWAY !

---

lafinfil Wrote:

> > there has got to be something better to do. .
> . like maybe contributing to the forum in a
> healthy way?
> >
>
> I have contributed an a positive way here as best
> I can buy answering questions,
> adding some humor, and recruiting new members.
>
> Everyone should get their free panties untwisted
> <humor>

This wasn't directed to you or to most members but the ones that complain about every little thing. . .not just the recent free posts. . .but don't contribute anything else to the forum. . .

---

_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Keep posting Newton, I agree with the comments made by Steph.