Thank you, thank you rec.bicycles.misc
 

I would like to personally thank those who reported the
MiamiConnection.net message as SPAM. I would like to inform you of what
you've done:

I have enjoyed cycling for a number of years. Unfortunately there are
not a lot cyclist in my area. So, I created a site where people in
Miami could share their many interests online with other local people.
Sharing is what the Internet is all about, right? Since I am a bicycle
fan, I created a bicycle forum as well, for others who share in my
interest.

The site itself is not commercial. I don't expect to make any money of
of it. If I'm lucky I'll be able to cover the costs of running it. It's
a free site, and it is my intension to keep it that way. I created the
site in the spirit of community.

I don't really have much money to spend on reaching all the people I
want about this new site. So, I decided to post to a handful of
newsgroups having to do with the site. The number of messages I sent
out about six messages all together, all to groups that had something
to do with MiamiConnection.net.

So the next day or so I receive a phone call that my account has been
suspended, because some person, or people from this group, reported
that I was spamming. I was disappointed more than anything, both at my
ISP and at the reception I got from this newsgroup. This was a one time
message. And if the people of this group would have told me that they
weren't interested, then that would be the end of it.

I have posted to many newsgroups and have never had a problem. And
where I'm not wanted I will not stay. The address I posted from was
real. All you had to do was reply to the topic or e-Mail me. But, that
would have been the gentlemanly thing to do.

So, the next time you go and report SPAM make sure it's really spam. I
saw a recent post about a Texas Cycling forum. And I see nothing wrong
with that. Just a guy who created a forum for local people who share
his interests. So, why not a Miami one?

Just because you don't like my message doesn't mean its spam. I'm not a
spammer. I don't go around posting unrelated messages all over the net.
I don't send random people e-Mails about this. I thought the whole idea
of the Internet, and the Usenet in particular, was for people to freely
communicate with one another. The Internet gives the average person the
resources that traditionally only certain people had, to spread the
word throughout the world to other interested people.

By saying that somehow my post about a free, related site is
unacceptable you're putting unnecessary limits on that freedom we have.
Meanwhile, the real spammers with resources get away with much more
offending stuff.

I just wanted to let you know who you reported and the consequences of
your action. I hope you're happy with the results of your reporting.
And as I am not welcomed here, this will be my last post here.

Thank you.

On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 23:04:36 GMT, Neil Brooks
wrote:

wrote:

I'm sorry that what happened to you happened to you, but if you
genuinely enjoy cycling, can't you just be frustrated by the willful
actions of an individual, or a few individuals, without denying
yourself the opportunity to participate in this forum?

There's a lot of great information exchanged here (as you know) and
some really kind, friendly, helpful people.

You should think about staying....

Just my $0.02

I agree, well said Neil.

If in fact it was someone from this newsgroup, it just shows that some
people have more time than brains. I saw the post, I don't live
anywhere near Florida, I ignored it. I certainly wasn't offended by
it, or neither did my spam sensor start to tingle.

So even if you don't choose to post here, I suggest you continue
reading, as their is much to gain.


Life is Good!
Jeff

There are dopey folks in every news group. Just don't take one report
of spam as representative of all. There are 1000's of folks who read
this and some of them are jerks, just as some of all the bicyclists you
see are real jerks.

But, all-in-all, it is a pretty good group.

Also, may I recommend Bicycleforums.net (we have formed our own
Colorado regional group there - in fact a number of us bike together
and 12 of us are meeting at the Santa Fe Century for dinner the night
before the event,) and/or BikeJournal.com

Jerks are not tolerated either place for very long.

"Colorado Bicycler" wrote:

Also, may I recommend Bicycleforums.net

Do you, by chance, mean www.bikeforums.net ??

Yes,

www.Bikeforums.net

Thanks for the correction. I have only posted there for four years.
You think I might know the name by now! :(

In article .com,
writes:

So, the next time you go and report SPAM make sure it's really spam. I
saw a recent post about a Texas Cycling forum. And I see nothing wrong
with that. Just a guy who created a forum for local people who share
his interests. So, why not a Miami one?

Just a suggestion, but next time maybe indicate some
cycling relevance in the subject line. I note a lot
of spam simply has a web address for a subject, as
your post did. I bet that's how the complainer
construed it as spam. The Texas forum post, on the
other hand, at least showed some relevance to cycling
in the subject line. I also wouldn't be surprised
if many other readers did as I did -- simply marked
your post as read without actually reading it, because
the subject didn't indicate anything of cycling interest.

Good luck with your forum.


cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Thank you all for your support. I really didn't expect as much. I
decided to post back here after I saw the replies. I guess the actions
taken by one or a few individuals don't represent the majority here.

Now my ISP wants me to fax them a letter promising not to post again...
when I pointed out that the message was not spam, and indeed bicycle
related, the company robot on the phone basically told me that if
someone else considered it spam, then it was spam. And he told me that
it is against their terms of service (or whatnot) to post a hyperlink
in a newsgroup posting.-- I have heard few things as lubricous as this!

I would not mind if whoever reported the message wrote back to them
correcting the situation. But, in any case, I may soon be looking for
an ISP which actually treats its paying customers with respect.

And thanks for you suggestion also, Tom. If I do any further posting on
other groups I'll use a more descriptive, group relevant subject line.

But, about cycling...

I'm not really a hard-core cyclist. I've been riding on and off for a
number of years, and now recently one of my friends has become
interested, much to my delight, and we have started riding around the
neighborhood and in parks. I put a Bicycling forum on the site with the
hopes that bicyclists from around my local area will come together and
connect using the forum.

I have a Raleigh SC-30 bicycle. I bought it at a cycle shop a few years
ago. They sold it to me as a hybrid between a comfort and a mountain
bike, or something of the like. I find it quite acceptable around the
city and in and around parks. Here's a picture (from a gasp!
hyperlink): http://gamoe.net/imagebank/bicycle/Raleigh1.jpg

wrote in message
oups.com...
Thank you all for your support. I really didn't expect as much. I
decided to post back here after I saw the replies. I guess the actions
taken by one or a few individuals don't represent the majority here.

Now my ISP wants me to fax them a letter promising not to post again...
when I pointed out that the message was not spam, and indeed bicycle
related, the company robot on the phone basically told me that if
someone else considered it spam, then it was spam. And he told me that
it is against their terms of service (or whatnot) to post a hyperlink
in a newsgroup posting.-- I have heard few things as lubricous as this!

Find a new ISP...they sound like dicks.

GG


I would not mind if whoever reported the message wrote back to them
correcting the situation. But, in any case, I may soon be looking for
an ISP which actually treats its paying customers with respect.

And thanks for you suggestion also, Tom. If I do any further posting on
other groups I'll use a more descriptive, group relevant subject line.

But, about cycling...

I'm not really a hard-core cyclist. I've been riding on and off for a
number of years, and now recently one of my friends has become
interested, much to my delight, and we have started riding around the
neighborhood and in parks. I put a Bicycling forum on the site with the
hopes that bicyclists from around my local area will come together and
connect using the forum.

I have a Raleigh SC-30 bicycle. I bought it at a cycle shop a few years
ago. They sold it to me as a hybrid between a comfort and a mountain
bike, or something of the like. I find it quite acceptable around the
city and in and around parks. Here's a picture (from a gasp!
hyperlink): http://gamoe.net/imagebank/bicycle/Raleigh1.jpg