"gatt" wrote in message
...
The web site wouldn't even exist if it weren't for the advertisements,

Neither would the AOPA site, probably.

But they don't post messages lying about their relationship to their web
site either.

Chalk it up as aggressive self-promotion in a world where, sometimes,
that's the only way you can get ahead.

You live in a world where you have to lie to get ahead?

Sorry, but I don't live in that world. I feel sorry for anyone who does.

What flight school doesn't advertise, and what advertisement doesn't spin
the information to shed the best possible light on its subject?

What flight school posts here pretending to have found a web site with
useful information, when in fact the web site is actually their own?

As a UNIX admin for a major network provider, I fight spam for a living as
part of my job, so I'm not out here making excuses for it. I think that
the articles would be interesting for beginning pilots and it's no more
commercially-oriented than the AOPA and other websites.

I have a MUCH smaller problem with the advertising than I do with the lying.
The only other thing the guy has posted here are messages that could be
construed as more marketing (a classic marketing technique is to develop
interest in the products you're selling by pretending to have an interest
yourself), and those were only recent, at the same time he posted his
advertisement. But, had he been truthful about his relationship to the web
site he's advertising, I think we all could have given him the benefit of
the doubt (I would have).

The subject was topical and honest (you can get articles on flying), the
website doesn't require a fee to access the articles, you're not hit with
pop-ups or other things, and the ads are just a sidebar.

There are ads after each and every article.

The only area of concern are the tiny links that require you to register
to read the articles;

A requirement to register just to read articles is a HUGE problem,
especially on a little no-name blog like that. It just emphasizes that what
the person really wants you to see are the ads, not the articles.

[...]
That's a little problematic, but, on the other hand, considering the sheer
amount of friggin' insurance policy junkmail I have to deal with from the
AOPA...

AOPA is paying out of their own budget to send you the junk mail, and they
aren't trying to hide their motives when they send it to you.

Pete