So that is spam; it's nice that it's low-impact and not too awful, but can you understand why I might be a bit put out at someone saying "I won't spam you" and then sending unsolicited marketing emails?
When people sign up for Gophercises, the first two emails I send them are about the course asking how the course is going, if they had issues with the player, etc.
After that they get Go related emails. Eg https://ckarchive.com/b/0vuwh9hvx32q Again, not really irrelevant given the interest in learning Go, and 99% of the people I talk to love those emails.
Maybe 3-4x per year I'll have a sale on my other paid courses. During those times people who have been on my mailing list for a set period of time (I think it is at least 10 days and have received at least 2 previous emails from me without unsubscribing, but I'd need to double check) will get a notice about the sale. I try to avoid being super annoying with those, so they will often contain useful lessons about coding with Go even if you aren't interested in the sale.
I make my living selling Go courses. I was only able to create and offer Gophercises as a free course because of this, so yes, I require an email address and I use Gophercises as a marketing tool. I try to make it a decent experience, but no matter what I do someone will always complain. I find my time is better spent helping the people who enjoy and appreciate what I am doing.
It's generally accepted (at least by those who allow google to shape their worldview, which is pretty much everyone except maybe you) that there is a difference in degree if not in kind between spam and promotional emails.
Count me as a 2nd person who doesn't see the difference between spam and promotional emails. Any unsolicited email that is detailing product offers and prices is spam.
I am not sure what google-shaped worldview has to do with anything. Maybe I don't understand your comment at all.
Anything unsolicited is spam irrespective of how good or useful the content is. The website says "I won't spam you", so I kinda assume that my email is only used for notifications.
I understand your view. It is probably more correct to say “you’ll receive occasional marketing emails from me”.
My view is mostly from the “there is no such thing as a free lunch” perspective. If I see an exchange of value it’s fair to me. I can always unsubscribe or not buy what he’s selling.
Personally I just can’t fault him for trying to make a living.
