[HarryT]

Originally Posted by rhadin

Harry, I would like to know the criteria to apply so that I, too, can infallibly "tell the difference between the two types of person."

The way to tell them apart is that the spammer joins MR, makes one post (probably in the "News" forum) to tell everyone about their wonderful new book, and then disappears ago. Perhaps to reappear in a month's time to do the same thing again. The other sort of poster, well, doesn't.

I also do not see the problem of authors just appearing to make a post in the self-promotion forum to let those of us who like to read know that there are books available.

Ah, if only they did . You only see where the posts end up, Rich. You don't see the dozen posts a day from such people that we MOVE into that forum, because the poster has posted them elsewhere: News, Reading Recommendations, or whatever.

I thought that was the purpose of the author self-promotion forum, to tell other members of MR that a book is available.

Absolutely right; it is.

One other thing Harry: Please explain to me how interest in ebooks can only be demonstrated by listing a device rather than saying none?

I've never said that it is. I believe that was Neil's assertion. No, it's the "appear at MR to post your spam (probably in the wrong place) and then disappear back into the wide blue yonder" attitude that I find slightly irksome. That's purely a personal view, by the way. I'm not speaking here with my "moderator hat" on.