Duane,

So answer this ----
On a scale of 0 to 10, rate your feeling for what you would like to see as
to what percentage of posters with a legitimate problem gets his problem
solved from the newsgroups where 0 is None and 10 is All.

Steve


"Duane Hookom" wrote in message
...
1. You are an Access expert and could answer any question posted. Why
don't
you answer the posts that receive no response?
A: There are questions that:
- I can't answer (lack of knowledge on my part)
- I feel someone can answer better than I can
for instance skipping labels in a report or PDF related
or ADO code or use of lookup fields
- I don't want to answer
- I don't have time to answer since there are lots of threads

2. Why don't you respond to the posts that you know the poster is not
going
to solve his problem from the responses he received?
A:
- I sometimes go off-line for free or if asked, suggest they make a
donation to a charity such as Special Olympics
- I am never sure how to determine if the NG is going to satisfy a need
- I have suggested an OP find a consultant

3. What if any problems do you see being caused by my offering fee-based
help to limited posters in the newsgroups?
A:
- I objected to this post since you were the first to reply
and offered to help for a fee
- think for a minute (I assume you can think) what these NGs would
become if even 10 or 12 other persons posted similar replies of
offers to help for a fee. Maybe every MVP and other significant
replier should feel free to offer to help for a fee.

I would hate for these NGs to become a marketing tool for consultants.
Why is Steve/PC Datasheet special that he should be able to use these NGs
to fish for work when others don't?

Again, I think you either just don't "get it" or refuse to "accept it".
--
Duane Hookom
MS Access MVP
--

"PC Datasheet" wrote in message
ink.net...
Answer one question:
Do you not think that people come to these News Groups looking for free
advice/support?

People come to the newsgroups looking for a solution to an Access related
problem. Some times they get no response; therefore no solution.
Sometimes they get a long winded response that provides no solution. Some
times they get a response that is beyond their ability and therefore are
unable to implement the solution. Some times the response is so poorly
written that it is incomprehensible. Some times the response is written
so illogically that it is too hard for the average user to understand.
Some times the solution being sought is beyond what can reasonably be
expected to be given for free. Some times they get a response offering
fee-based help. The poster has the option to contact me if he so chooses.
Many do because the need for the solution justifies paying for a
solution! My fees are very reasonable and these posters are happy to
receive my fee-based help. So where else do you think these posters could
go to receive a quick solution for a reasonable fee?

I would not have criticized you if this thread was about 10 replies
long and it was clear that the OP needed to find a contractor.
So, you are agreeing that it is OK to offer fee-based services under
certain conditions. Well that is just what I am doing! To paraphrase your
words a little, when I think that it is clear that the poster is not
going to be able to solve his problem from the newsgroup, then I consider
offering him the option of fee-based help. And not every response I make
is one offering fee-based help. On at least a ten to one ratio, I provide
free advice/support over offering fee-based help. In a vast majority of
me free responses, I also take the time to provide a very good quality
response. I try to provide all the details the poster needs. Since some
time ago when an MVP suggested that I clearly say that my offer for help
is fee-based, I have tried to follow that suggestion.

Answer three questions ---
1. You are an Access expert and could answer any question posted. Why
don't you answer the posts that receive no response?

2. Why don't you respond to the posts that you know the poster is not
going to solve his problem from the responses he received?

3. What if any problems do you see being caused by my offering fee-based
help to limited posters in the newsgroups?

Steve
PC Datasheet


"Duane Hookom" wrote in message
...
You just don't get it. I have only criticized you when your entire post
is an offer to provide contract/paid services. In this case, you did
this in a post not even 90 minutes old.

I have never objected to your (or anyone else's) signature line (at
least not that I recall). I have even defended you in threads where your
only suggestion of selling services was your signature.

I don't recall Ken's reply but I expect you are taking it out of
context. I could be wrong but I doubt it. Ken certainly did not reply as
you did fishing for work on a brand new thread.

I would not have criticized you if this thread was about 10 replies long
and it was clear that the OP needed to find a contractor.

I rarely if ever see replies like some of yours that jump on a brand new
thread with an offer to provide consulting services. It may happen more
than I have noticed but you must admit that you blatantly advertise or
ask for business more than any other poster by a large margin. I don't
read all the Access related NGs but if score was kept in the ones I
frequent, you wouldn't have any competition.

Answer one question:
Do you not think that people come to these News Groups looking for free
advice/support?

--
Duane Hookom
MS Access MVP


"PC Datasheet" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Duane,

I will preface what I have to say with, I have been reading the
newsgroups for many years and all that time you have stood out as a
prominent figure. I can say as a fact that everything that you have
always had to say was said in a very professional way. From that I have
developed great respect for you and continue to feel that respect. What
I have to say is meant to be in the spirit of that respect and is no
way intended to put you down.

None of what you quoted here comes from the Rulse Of Conduct and
therefore does not apply. The Rules Of Conduct are found at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/ga...RulesofConduct
and the pertinent part states:
"We ask that you refrain from posting advertisements or solicitations
that do not pertain directly to the intended use and purpose of the
newsgroup or chat."

Nonetheless, here is my response ---

As far as advertising, please explain in concrete terms how "Contact me
at my email address below if you would like outside help with this. My
fees are very reasonable" is advertising. My sig is advertising but
again it pertains to the purpose of the newsgroups to provide Access
users a resource for help with Access related problems. Duane Hookom,
MS Access is the same type of advertising. So is the following:
o "MVPDoug Steele, Microsoft Access MVP"
o "See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs."
o "John Viescas, author
"Building Microsoft Access Applications" (Coming Soon!)
"Microsoft Office Access 2003 Inside Out"
"Running Microsoft Access 2000"
"SQL Queries for Mere Mortals"
o David Lloyd
MCSD .NET
http://LemingtonConsulting.com
The above are a very small example of what you see daily on the
newsgroups.

In terms of Contact me if you would like help, I am not the only one to
post this type of post. Every once in a while you will see offers from
others besides myself. Consider the following:
genenky -
You can contact me via www.cadellsoftware.org and we can discuss what
you're seeking to do.-

Ken Snell
MS ACCESS MVP

No one posts derogatory responses to these others. Is it because Ken is
an MVP?

In terms of advertising, consider the following in the sig line of an
infrequent responder:
"A Christian Response
http://www.pastornet.net.au/response"

Check out the web address. It has absolutely nothing to do with Access.
You see other adverts like this and adverts that are directly in the
body of the post. None of the above are ever taken to task for
advertising that obviously does not pertain to providing Access users a
resource for help with Access problems.

In conclusion, I want to ask that you drop out of the crowd of the
likes of Arno R, Keith Wilby, Randy Harris and others and defend me
from their malicious attacks. If you are not willing to do this then I
ask that you keep silent rather than trying to support them.

Thanks, Duane,

Steve



"Duane Hookom" wrote in message
...
I did a quick search of google:
"NewsGroup" etiquette advertise

First Hit
=========================
http://www.netscape.co.uk/help/faqs/...oupmanners.htm
Don't Spam
Spamming is e-mailing or posting unsolicited advertising. Never post
advertising on a Newsgroup unless it is specifically created to accept
adverts.

Second Hit
=========================
http://groups.google.com/googlegroup...ing_style.html
Please do not use Usenet as an advertising medium.
Advertisements on Usenet are rarely appreciated. In general, the
louder or more inappropriate the ad is, the more antagonism it stirs
up. Just think how annoying it is to you to have your evening meal
interrupted by a telemarketer. The feeling is the same when someone
posts inappropriate commercial messages in a newsgroup. If in doubt,
don't do it.

Third Hit
==========================
http://www.gotfusion.com/tutsTD/groupetiquette.cfm
DO NOT Advertise: It doesn't work, it gets people really really mad,
it gets me really really mad, and no matter what you say it will not
be taken well. Everyone HATES SPAM. This is one of the things that
will guarantee that I bring out my "big hammer" and remove your
thread. Do not answer posts of this nature as it just adds to the
number of posts I have to remove. If you continue to advertise after
being warned you may find yourself blacklisted from posting anything
on these newsgroups.

Fourth Hit
==========================
http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/email-etiquette.html
6.) Use 4-6 lines for your signature line, this is an opportunity to
highlight your business or company information, but don't be
ostentatious..


--
Duane Hookom
MS Access MVP


"PC Datasheet" wrote in message
link.net...
Doug,

I have always respected your approach and continue to feel that way.
My intent here is not meant to put you down in any way. I just am
asking you on a professional level where specifically does it say
that offers of help on an Access related problem for a fee are
prohibited?

Steve


"Douglas J. Steele" wrote in
message ...
These newsgroups are not intended for you to solicit commercial
business.

You know that: you've been told MANY times by MANY different people,
yet you still persist.

Are you really that egocentric that you figure you can ignore
everyone?

--
Doug Steele, Microsoft Access MVP
http://I.Am/DougSteele
(no e-mails, please!)



"PC Datasheet" wrote in message
ink.net...
Why don't you explain it to me in concrete terms, Doug.


"Douglas J. Steele" wrote in
message ...
You just don't get it, do you Steve?

--
Doug Steele, Microsoft Access MVP
http://I.Am/DougSteele
(no e-mails, please!)



"PC Datasheet" wrote in message
link.net...
Contact me at my email address below if you would like outside
help with this. My fees are very reasonable.

--
PC Datasheet
Your Resource For Help With Access, Excel And Word Applications

www.pcdatasheet.com