I guess it's all in the delivery.

Jay's been here as long as I can remember, long before he got his dream
business off the ground. As a matter of fact he'd ask us for suggestions
and opinions about it as he went along. He's one of the most consistently
prolific posters in this group, and almost always done in a nice, non-rude,
non-flaming way. I don't care about someones politics, or religion, as long
as they don't go on about it constantly or try to bring me over to their way
of thinking. Never seen him do that. As far as 'commercial whore' here in
this newsgroup: he'd be broke and out of business if WE were his only
business, just a guess on my part.

As for the others that occasionally advertise on here, there's a couple
types. The hit-and-run type that never usually post here, rarely reply to
the followups, and add nothing to the group.
The ones who do it in third person ("hey did you hear..."). Also not
usually a consistent poster to the group.
And the ones who mention it in passing, or in their signature, who answer
technical questions. Some are helpful and courteous, some can't wait to
find a way to point out how superior they are.

I don't care if people advertise on here, especially any of the regulars,
whether I like them or not. But this all started from an editor, maybe it
was advertising while asking for opinions/debate, but instead he received
complaints about his product/service. If he wants to go through the work of
weeding through our 'PIREPS' scattered around here, and put them in print
and try to sell them, maybe that might be helpful to someone who doesn't
even know these groups exist. If you're so worried about your opinion of a
restaurant and the copyright of that idea, don't post. For me it was
informative to see people had a problem with the way that book is compiled,
news to me.

Personally I think it takes a pair for someone to come on here and put in a
plug for their product - and stick around and take the questions and abuse
from some of you. If you don't like them, don't buy their product. If you
do, then do business with them. I'm planning my stay in IOW.

Chris