From:             admin@linkexchange.com
Date sent:        Wed, 17 Dec 1997 18:56:30 -0800 (PST)
To:               comedyzone@bcsdesign.com
Subject:          LinkExchange - X019342


Thank you for submitting your banner to the LinkExchange advertising
network.  Although your web site is acceptable, we are not able to accept
your banner into our network at this time (please be aware that full
participation in the LinkExchange network is contingent upon banner
submission and approval). 

LinkExchange banners are displayed on a network of over 200,000 different
web sites.  In order to insure that each banner advertised is acceptable
to that audience, we insist that all banners are generally acceptable to
the vast majority of our network members. 

For example, the banner must not contain curse words or inflammatory
content.  This includes slander towards indiduals, public figures or
companies.  Suggestive imagery such as women in lingerie/bathing suits is
also unacceptable.  

We would like to complete your application for membership as soon as
possible.  Please redesign your banner and resubmit it, so that we can
begin advertising your web site. 

If you are already an active member of the LinkExchange network, your old
banner will continue to be advertised until a new one is processed. 

To:               admin@linkexchange.com
Subject:          Re: LinkExchange - X019342
Send reply to:    comedyzone@bcsdesign.com
Date sent:        Thu, 18 Dec 1997 09:44:36 -0004

I was a bit surprised to receive the following, regarding my banner 
that is displayed on the Link Exchange.  The banner contains a 
cartoon smiley face and says:

If you are looking for:
Quick Cash, Sex, Nude Photos 
THEN DON"T CLICK HERE

No curse words and the point is that you will not find inflammatory 
content at the site.  I seriously doubt that "Mr. Smiley" 
constitutes "suggestive imagery,"  or can be considered a 
"sex icon."

Regards,

Bill Hyde
The Comedy Zone
Head Humorologist and General Bossman
http://www.bcsdesign.com/comedyzone/

Date sent:        Thu Dec 18 14:35:43 PST 1997
To:               comedyzone@bcsdesign.com
Subject:          Re: LinkExchange: Banner Submit
From:             "LinkExchange" 

Hi Bill,

The words "Sex" and "Nude Photos"  are not allowed on banners.  We 
receive a lot of complains by our members complaining about such issues 
that our Quality Assurance Team is now a lot more restrictive on the use
of these words.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,

-Aki

Member Services
LinkExchange.  Powered by People.

To:               "LinkExchange" 
Subject:          Re: LinkExchange: Banner Submit
Send reply to:    comedyzone@bcsdesign.com
Date sent:        Thu, 18 Dec 1997 23:03:51 -0004

I'm still a bit confused ... after reading this, I go to upload a new 
"non-offensive" banner and end up seeing the word "naked" flashing on 
one of your sponsor banners.  The account number for that banner is 
X001007  So if I use the word "naked" instead of "nude" I should be 
within guidelines (no need to reply to that ... just some sarcasm 
aimed at an overly PC Quality Assurance Team)

Sincerely,

Bill Hyde
The Comedy Zone
Head Humorologist and General Bossman
http://www.bcsdesign.com/comedyzone/ 

And finally . . .

Date sent:        Fri Dec 19 18:36:03 PST 1997
To:               comedyzone@bcsdesign.com
Subject:          Re: Re: LinkExchange: Banner Submit
From:             "LinkExchange" 

Hi,

Some contexts of the word "naked" can be approved, such as "the naked 
truth," the "naked eye," and "shop naked."  However "naked pictures," 
for example, can not be allowed. 

Also I noticed that you have submitted a new banner.  Even though it is 
not a big deal, the name of our service is "LinkExchange" and not Link 
Exchange :)

Sincerely,

-Aki

Member Services
LinkExchange.  Powered by People.

Well at least my new found penpal, Aki, doesn't seem to be humor impaired. Oh, and here's the new banner that Aki was referring to and, yes, LinkExchange did approve it. Sort of took the wind out of my sails. I was ready to bolt the doors and prepare for a major skirmish (sigh!). Now the whole incident wasn't a total waste because ...