From: no@spam.com 
  
 On Thu, 23 Dec 2004 11:26:27 -0330, "Terry"  
 wrote: 
  
 Here is an actual statistical analysis of the content of this group 
 over the last two months: 
  
 Total Threads: 17  
 On-Topic Threads:  9 
 Spam/Off-Topic Threads:  8 
 percentage:  47% 
  
 Analyzing by message rather than thread, the percentage goes even 
 lower (spam doesn't usually generate follow-up messages): 
  
 Total Messages: 62 
 On-Topic Messages: 51 
 Spam/Off-Topic Messages:  11 
 percentage:  18% 
  
 If you put Wayne Chislett on your block list, the percentage drops to 
 almost zero. 
  
 As I've stated before, the biggest problem with this group is not spam 
 or a lack of moderation, but a lack of interest and few posters. 
  
  
 >It appears that there is weak/no control or moderation of postings to this 
 >news group? 
 > 
 >Of the last 30 message posted here only two or three are actual consumer 
 >posted messages! 
 > 
 >The rest are advertising, 'make money', leads to other advertising sites and 
 >sex oriented. 
 > 
 >While realizing that the internet is open to anyone world wide, no matter 
 >how perverted, there is no reason whatsoever for something with the subject 
 >line "Short avi clip of me fucking a goat ........... "  to appear on a 
 >'Canadian Consumer' news group. It belongs elsewhere. 
 > 
 >Yes; understand this IS an unmoderated group. (i.e. freedom to express a 
 >consumer opinion)? But not 'Advertisng'. 
 > 
 >It's odd; because there are many useful news groups where such unnecessary 
 >postings, with the occasional exception, are rare and those exceptions are 
 >just ignored by the members. 
 > 
 >Useful news groups include < uk.people.consumers > where spam postings are 
 >infrequent. 
 >A local 'Wanted/for sale' news group, here, is almost spam free. In fact 
 >spam only seems to show up when the manager responsible is away/on vacation! 
 > 
 >Despite previous assurances that postings ARE vetted/monitored, can only 
 >attribute the mess on this < can.consumers > news group, to (typical?) 
 >Canadian 'laissez faire' by the founder/operator/sponsor. 
 > 
 >But what a waste of a potentially useful/valuable information source for 
 >Canadian Consumers! 
 > 
 >BTW does anyone know of any Canadian Consumer oriented news forums that 
 >REALLY work; or do we have to depend entirely on CBC Marketplace etc.? 
 > 
 >Very frustrated and find this group almost a waste of time. Terry. 
 > 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)