Lepidoptera software demonstration

[Doug]

Lep-Lers:
1.-Who else would like a shareware or free to try version of the basic software in
question?  I would.
2.- I suggest that (1.) is the honorable thing that SBSP to do to solve this
frequent use of the list to generate interest in their product.
3.- Have any unbiased group regulars used this software?  If so, what do you think
of it?
4.- (Unbiased group regulars) Would an excel spreadsheet be as functional with all
the new search features in the latest excel?

Note to SBSP:
I appreciate your concern for ethical use of the list.  My OPINION (since you
specifically asked for it) is that the Leps-L is like interactive public television
- considerations for emailing the list.  The occasional use by private members to
sell one of a kind used merchandise or find homes for non-commercially reared
insects is certainly appropriate and acceptable from my point of view.  The line
can get sticky there, but with regard to a commercial concern such as yours, there
is no doubt.  If there is no reasonable shareware or free to try version, I
consider your postings very intrusive and without any value added.  If the software
is a worthwhile item for the group, it ought to generate discussion from unbiased
members solely on its own merits.  My vote would be:  No emails unless a very
significant upgrade is being released (and then, only mentioning technically what
feature was added or improved).  Don't mention ordering, sales, etc. in any email.
The most should be a footer in the message with the company's web site or phone #.
The best advertiser is a satisfied customer.  Please also make sure a person, not a
company signs in your messages.  Since I deleted all the messages previous without
reading much, please provide a download site for a free to try or shareware version
of the basic software if you haven't already.  If this mini email debate sparks
more sales "Through July 15" (I will be sure not to miss the show!) shame.  Send
the royalties to the List Administrator.  Since the IRS doesn't worry about the
ethics of where you make your money, they might not either.  Someone's internet
server is wearing out for our benefit.  Yale's probably.  No wonder their tuition
cost ain't what it used to be, I certainly usually appreciate the privilege of
being on this list.  PS Giving away a spell checker is nice but has nothing really
to do with the product, it is obviously a marketing technique also used by fast
food joints and supermarkets.  In any case I would appreciate receiving the free
spell checker as advertised.  Viva! small business!  Thanks kindly.  Doug.
________________________
Douglas David Dawn
N.  25º 37.408'
W. 100º 22.003'
Altitude 910 meters
Sylvania Pinus-Quercus

SBSP wrote:

> Mr. Aguillard:
>
> There are two things we have been trying to let the lepidoptera newsgroup know
> : 1) We will send anyone a free utility that adds the scientific names of North
> American butterflies to their spelling checker. 2) We have inexpensive database
> software for maintain lepidoptera sightings/collections records.
>
> A two line note is used to convey the second piece of information; several more
> lines are needed in a note to explain the first one.  Both notes direct people
> who are interested to our web site for further information.
>
> Recently we have been posting these two notes alternately, with each being
> reposted approximately every two weeks -- when the previous posting of the note
> is about to vanish off the top of the display of all postings on the newsgroup.
>
> We keep records of when each visit is made to our web site, the internet domain
> of the visitor, and of any e-mail to us resulting from a visit. These data show
> that for two or three days after each of our newsgroup postings there is an
> increase in the number of visitors, in requests for the free spelling checker
> utility, and in e-mail concerning the lepidoptera database software.
>
> This has led us to believe that some members of the lepidoptera newsgroup are
> interested in what we have to offer, and also that there is a constant flow of
> new people into the newsgroup -- people to whom each of our notes is, in fact,
> news. Another reason why we  believe that our notes are of some interest to
> lepidoptera fans is that they are frequently copied by the lepidoptera mailing
> list. And yours is the first complaint we have received from the lepidoptera
> newsgroup about our postings.
>
> It  is our intention to make friends, not enemies, by what we have been doing
> in reposting each of the two notes every two weeks. But if we have been making
> a mistake we are certainly willing to modify our actions.
>
> We would like to ask members of the lepidoptera newsgroup for guidance. Should
> we:
>
> 1) Continue reposting each of the two notes every two weeks?
> 2) Do so every month?
> 3) Do so every two months"
> 4) Stop reposting completely?
>
> Members of the newsgroup, please post your choice on the newsgroup and/or send
> us e-mail telling us of your choice, by 15 July, 1998. We will then act
> accordingly.
>
> Santa Barbara Software Products
> sbsp at aol.com



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