[Boatanchors] EBay links

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Sat, Jun 16, 2012 at 2:39 PM, Carl Nord <chnord at comcast.net> wrote:

>
> For what it is worth, my recollection was that the issue revolved around
> people posting a link for something they were selling. I am 100% in favor
> of
> banning that.
>

Agreed. That's where the problem was, and there are still a few nitwits who
pop in just long enough to post their auction, then disappear. As I recall
from over a decade ago, this is what folks objected to as it turns into a
spamfest.

On the milsurplus list and others, we've always discussed select items that
show up on ebay, out of curiosity and furthering education. Along the lines
of 'what kind of rig is this, what was it used for' or 'is this the correct
connector for XYZ' and so on. To its credit, ebay has brought a lot of
great items back to the light of day and provided many of us with an
opportunity to at least see some interesting items only spoken of before if
not procure for ourselves.

Spamming the lists with personal auction ads is what caused problems. In
fact, even in the case of 'whatzit' type postings, most folks simply post
the item number or convert it using tinyurl. This avoids the massive
multi-line links splashing across the screen. Though there are a few who
whine when they have to look up the item number since clicking a link is
sooo much easier.

I appreciate ebay as 'another tool in the toolbox' and use it at will
without any prompting from these lists. Anyone who is worried that some
list member won't see their item listed should have offered it for sale to
the group first if that's their concern. If not, don't bother us. We all
know how to surf ebay. We don't need to be herded there to pay more for
your item than someone else. It's a lot like politics: we know where to
find it if we want it, and we come here to enjoy something else without it.
No hate involved, just common sense and manners. (o:

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4