From: coghlan@sympatico.ca 
  
 There is also a misc.consumers newsgroup, but that one is fairly US-centric. 
  
 This newsgroup is supposed to cater to consumer issues affecting Cdn 
 consumers. 
  
 Terry wrote: 
  
 > Patrick Coghlan wrote: 
 > 
 >>I'm the original sponsor of this newsgroup (circa 1995). 
 >> 
 >>There certainly does seem to be a lot of trash postings that other 
 >>unmoderated groups don't seem to have. 
 >> 
 >>I'll look into a way to keep the trash out, as other groups have done. 
 >> 
 >>Terry wrote: 
 >> 
 >>>I understand that this is a news group that is not moderated; 
 >>>i.e. it appears there is no one acting as a chair-person as it 
 >>>were and ruling 'Out of Order' the predominant spam and 
 >>>advertising. 
 >>>I have therefore basically given up on this news group, visiting 
 >>>it rarely. Which of course means that 'spammers' and 
 >>>'advertisers' are achieving nothing! 
 >>>Several times over the last year or so I have done a quick count 
 >>>of 'ON TOPIC' postings versus spam/advertising. Unfortunately the 
 >>>unnecessary stuff runs ten to one to individual Canadian Consumer 
 >>>postings. 
 >>>Also I doubt the spammers/advertisers rarely if ever read this 
 >>>news group; to them it probably just cheap advertising? 
 >>>Can anyone help me to contact whoever 'hosts' and is paying for 
 >>>the facilities that provide this ng? Do THEY ever read it and see 
 >>>what has been happening? 
 >>>It could be so much more useful to Canadian Consumers; because 
 >>>there are similar and Canadian ones at that, news groups (which I 
 >>>will not name) which are successful and which do not tolerate a 
 >>>'take-over' by the spam/porn/quick-buck/snake-oil enterprisers! 
 >>>Such as has happened here. 
 >>>Anyone agree/disagree with this? Terry. 
 > 
 > 
 > Terry again on Dec 19th. 
 > Thank you Patrick; no insult intended but I have quite sincerely 
 > 'given up' on < can.consumers >, several times; because of all 
 > the junk/spam etc. 
 > Whereas, for example the < uk.people.consumers > is reasonably 
 > active with various discussions about minor incidents and major 
 > issues, of concern, or which are raised by typical consumers, 
 > like myself. 
 > Many thanks for your follow up and comment to my concern. 
 > There are two news groups in 'our neck of the woods' for which 
 > the sponsors (the local university) are quite 'tough'. For 
 > example, on one, a person advertising once or twice over a period 
 > of time about hand knitted socks, the availability of a single 
 > used dining room table or "baby things" etc. is OK. 
 > But if the local GMC dealer or a 'Viagra pusher' tries to muscle 
 > in they get blocked or deleted! To a chorus of posters 
 > complaints, along the lines of "Get outta here". 
 > Another news group (designated "General" or discussion) is 
 > lenient about opinions expressed, no matter how outrageous, or 
 > even personally insulting, at times. But again, 'advertising' 
 > which has sneaked in, on occasion, is severely criticized and 
 > we've seen instances where a poster has apologized to the rest of 
 > the news group posters "Oops, sorry didn't realize I couldn't 
 > advertise my recycled tyres business here etc.". 
 > So again thanks for your attention. Greetings for the New Year to 
 > all. Terry. 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)