In article >,
says...
>
> On 2015-02-23 09:03, Janet wrote:
> > In article >,
> > says...
> >>
> >> On Sun, 22 Feb 2015 17:47:57 -0800 (PST), "
> >> > wrote:
> >>
> >>> On Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 6:15:39 PM UTC-6, Dave Smith wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> On 2015-02-22 19:00, wrote:
> >>>>> I packaged Franco & sold the pilot for Slim Cuisine to KOCE in
> >>>>> Huntington Beach, CA in 1979. Franco died of AIDS.
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Will this newbie be offended if any of us reply in a less than
> >>>> welcoming manner?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>> I won't be offended. I see a lot of these dumbasses on other groups dredging up 10-15-20 year old posts and replying like someone had just posted a question a few hours before. And you never see these dummies again. (Thankfully)
> >>
> >> Those are not necessarily posters actually reading the group. In one
> >> of my groups it was taken over - surreptitiously - by a setup that
> >> tranferred our posts to themselves, sold ads, and would plant
> >> questions from way back to keep their group looking as if everyone was
> >> active.
> >
> > You've (roughly) described why the "banter" groups act as portals to
> > usenet. They use usenet groups as "rentacrowd" to attract paying
> > advertisers to the banter websites.
> >
> >
>
> If I am reading this right, you are suggesting that they are legitimate
> posters being directed here.

They are (other than the spammers who have found the banterwebsite,
just as they find usenet groups)

I find that hard to believe because almost
> every one of them uses that same format, introducing themselves as new
> to, interested in cooking and looking forward to participating in our forum.

That's how its members are told to introduce themselves. Unfortunately
they rarely find the thread again to pick up any replies. Membership is
free. The website earns income from advertising.Presumably usenet posts
count as websitepage hits so the advertisers think their advert is seen
by thousands.

Look for yourself. (quite safe)

http://www.foodbanter.com/general-cooking/

and if anyone doubts how profitable the (numerous) banter groups are,
take a look at their financial report (scroll down)

http://www.endole.co.uk/company/0627...banter-limited


Janet UK