Re: Mooball IT

Hi Tom,

On 07/04/15 08:08, Tom Cameron wrote:
> Im not using a mailing list, and Im not using any automated software. Im
> only emailing addresses that are published openly for contact.
>

The multiple identical copies of your message came in over a very short 
period of time, into multiple mailboxes, all via the site contact form. 
None had any form of personalisation, and given the very short interval 
between messages from unrelated sites on different servers, it appeared 
to me that someone had created a directory of Plone sites and was 
automatically submitting the forms.

> I went to some trouble to familiarise myself with the Australian Spam
> Act before I did this, and Im certain what Im doing does not classify as
> Spam according to that Act.
>

That may be so, but the generally accepted definition involves *bulk*, 
*unsolicited*, *commercial* messages, and that seemed to be what I was 
getting.

> I run a business, I need to pay wages and Im proud of the fact that we
> use and promote Plone. Im reaching out to see if anyone needs extra help
> and to connect with other Plone users too.
>

Likewise.

> Most of those who Ive contacted have been supportive and understanding.
>
> Non the less, Im genuinely sorry if that offends anyone.
>

Have you had any other feedback from people who had received multiple 
copies of your message? If I had received one, I would have been 
perfectly happy, but when I started seeing multiple copies coming in, 
that was an issue for me.

If you've managed to inadvertently contact me multiple times via 
unrelated sites on unrelated servers, I can only think that (a) I'm not 
the only person in this position, and (b) you must have sent out an 
awful lot of messages. Needless to say, I have only seen the messages 
where I am the target of the site contact form - I suspect that my 
clients have seen rather more.

> One note too that I feel I should share: a large number of people are
> telling me that they are moving from Plone to WordPress (and some to
> Drupal). I am seeing significant attrition and its very concerning. To
> some extent I wish I had done this earlier as I might have convinced
> some to remain on Plone. Most are telling me that its just too difficult
> to support or find decent support. I hope I might at least convince some
> to stay.
>

Again, likewise - many of us are probably wrestling with this. In fact 
one of the sites that you targeted me via is in just that situation. I'm 
not sure that giving my client the impression that they are in need of 
help purely because they use Plone, and that they have to go to the 
other side of the world to find that help, is going to help me win that 
client back for Plone.

I'm not sure that targeting sites based purely on the fact that they are 
using Plone is wise, and sending a completely generic message via the 
contact form certainly isn't.

You say above that as well as prospecting for work you are attempting to 
contact other Plone users. Perhaps you could adapt your message to 
provide some links back to the community as well as your own business - 
inevitably given your approach you will be contacting an awful lot of 
people who are not especially likely to take up your offer directly, so 
that seems to be an opportunity to get them to engage more with Plone 
and the community at large.

In closing, I would like you to ask yourself just one question - how 
would the Plone ecosystem look to our clients and users if we all did this?


-- 

Regards,

PhilK


e: phil-q2gwPsJoLxxaa/[email protected] - m: 07775 796 747

'a bell is a cup...until it is struck'


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