Date:         Sun, 14 Jul 2002 22:03:47 -0400
Reply-To:     jbrush@AROS.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Brush <jbrush@AROS.NET>
Subject:      Re: Sunday NY Times article about May trip in 85 Westy
In-Reply-To:  <134.1139917f.2a63a23b@aol.com>

>>Is it just me, or do you need to "sign up" in order to open up this article?
>>They ask for date of birth, income, occupation, etc. in order to receive
>>their "free" news articles.  I have a real problem with information like
>>this being requested in order to receive information.

I tend to agree, but we have to remember that this is the way they make
their money since there is zero profit in just posting their product on
the internet for all to read for absolutely free.

They sell the information, of course, so we should only give what we are
comfortable in telling them, but it is wrong to condemn them, or any other
business, for doing what they do so that they can make a profit.

When the net started gaining popularity in the early 90's, this was the
exact issue that came up time and time again. Everyone wants everything
delivered via the internet for free, and most of us know that such a
method is a bad business model, so let us not clog the group with too much
complaining about how we can't read the New York Times for free.  Its a
nice dream, but even with a giant, world-wide network, you still can't get
something for nothing.

If you want to read it, give em what they want. Who cares if they know
your birthdate, or how much money you make? Hopefully we are not ashamed
of what we do for a living. A lot of the info they want is already public
record anyway. <shrug> No one is putting a gun to your head, and you can
always tell an untruth or two if you have a mind to be like that :-)

IMO, of course,

John