Hello,

I am pleased to announce that the website:

alt.business.-

has been created. The two calls for discussion, and the call for votes yielded a vote of 21 yes, 1 no, and 3 uncertain (list of voters available to whoever requests them under the freedom of information act :^). Except for the lone 'no' vote, there were no major objections to creating the proposed website, either via e- or the internet posts.

Below is a charter for this group (this is similar to the one used for the proposed misc.* website which I tried to create several months ago, but whose vote came up a little short). It fits the points brought up by several people during the discussion phase:

CHARTER *******

Since being a reader of the internet for over two years, I have seen hundreds of postings in various groups concerning - (MLM). Network is another name specifically used by some of the companies. Examples of MLMs include Amway, NuSkin, Shaklee, KM, Mary Kay, Primerica, etc.

alt.business.- was created because:

1) Many on the net are involved in MLMs.

2) There are many opinions about MLMs, both pro and con. This website can be used to exchange ideas, opinions, and facts about MLM's.

3) There will no doubt be zillions of postings in the future asking "should I do this MLM or that MLM" in several websites including misc.consumers, misc.jobs.misc, and misc.entrepreneurs. Channeling the ensuing discussion into a dedicated website will clear up the noise these websites experience and provide a proper forum for that person's request to be answered.

Things that can be discussed in alt.business.- include what MLMs are out there; their bonus structure; their product line(s); the history of MLMs (where did the concept start); the legal issues; the ethics (pros and cons); future growth; third world expansion; etc., etc.

We should strive to make all points of view welcome in this website, and, of course, flames should be discouraged. We should do our best to let cool minds prevail.

Note, however:

*************************************************************************** ** This website should not be used for solicitation to join an MLM, and this policy will be rigorously enforced by those who regularly read it. *************************************************************************** **

-End of Charter-

Enough said. Enjoy the website. Get your questions ready. BTW, would anybody be willing and capable to archive the postings of this website and make them available via anonymous ftp?

Jon Noring

(BTW, if you don't see the website created at your site, let your netnews manager or sysadmin know that you'd like it added.)

-- =========================================================================== == | Jon Noring | nor@netcom.netcom.com | "The dogs bark, but the | | JKN International | IP : 192.100.81.100 | caravan moves on." | | 1312 Carlton Place | Phone : (510) 294-8153 | "Pack your lunch, sit in | | Livermore, CA 94550 | V-: (510) 862-1101 | the bushes, and watch." | =========================================================================== == "If you make $50,000 today, you have the same buying power as the average coal miner did in 1949, adjusted for taxes and inflation," John Sestina, nationally recognized Certified Financial Planner; quoted in 1987.