From: ykcheu@eos.ncsu.edu (YIHNSIANG KASAMA CHEU)
Subject: UPDATE-buyers beware list-voting
Originator: ykcheu@c00441-313mn.eos.ncsu.edu
Reply-To: ykcheu@eos.ncsu.edu (YIHNSIANG KASAMA CHEU)
Organization: North Carolina State University, Project Eos
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 22:52:20 GMT


So far the vote has been relatively tiny compared to the people that read
this newsgroup (shows you how much people care and have time for this issue).
For those of you who have voted, I will be posting your e-mail address unless
you e-mail me back saying that you don't want your id posted.  For those of
you who still don't know what is going on...

	This is a vote to see whether or not a buyers beware list-a list
	that lists all id's of people or organizations that have had
	complaints made against them should be created.  Among the
	propositions already taken into consideration where:
	1.  Should a ~.d or ~.complaint group be created to handle
		this kind of list (as well as flames, etc).
	2.  The poster's ID as well as the complainer's ID should
		be posted.
	3.  Another list, listing buyers that are known to be reliable
		should be created.
	4.  Should people that have been complained against be punished
		(by appearing for a longer period of time on the list)
		for being complained against more than a few times.
	5.  The moderator should make clear (to resolve legal difficulties)
		that the list is only a complaint list, and in no way
		accuses anyone of doing anything wrong.  It could be, that
		the complainer(s) are lying, and the accusations against
		the complainees, are false.

	Among the unresolved problems, if a list is to be created are:

	1.  Is it legal to post a person's id or e-mail address without
		his/her permission.
	2.  Is posting an e-mail address considered defamation.
	3.  verification problems:  It is too hard to verify who is lying,
		and who is not...

	New proposals:
	Create a database of complaints and complainers...the list would
	not be posted on misc.foresale, or other public newsgroup.  The
	buyer would query the machine (or person who has the list) to
	find out whether or not the buyer has had some complaints against
	him/her or not.	(This is not my idea)

	This method, hopefully, will resolve most of the legal difficulties
	being experienced with the creation of the list (posting e-mail,
	defamation, etc,), since the list isn't being viewed by thousands
	of people.  This is also similar to what the BBS does (Better
	Business Beaurou).  (Hopefully, they're not doing anything illegal
	by making information, about complaints made against business, public).
	The only disadvantage (if this method of making a list is legal), I
	can think of, is that a machine has to be provided, if it is
	decided that a machine will handle the database (hopefully, the
	owner can also be experienced enough to prevent tampering and
	system crashes, etc).

	I think this is a good idea.  Although if any of you can see
	potential legal difficulties in this process, such as giving the
	complainer's id (etc), please tell me.


	Your comments, votes, suggestions, are welcome at my e-mail address:

	ykcheu@eos.ncsu.edu


So far, the voting ratio has remained the same from last time (2 to 1 in
favor of yes).  Although since the number of votes is so few in comparison
to the number of people that could vote, this could easily change.
Newsgroups: misc.forsale,misc.forsale.computers,alt.binaries.pictures