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Why the distinction?
In the beginning, the Internet developed as a military and educational tool. Many of the original ideas about usage have continued, and the majority of seasoned users still wishes to see that individual activity and commercial activity are separated and handled in different manners. The reasons will become clear in later pages.
What constitutes an individual?
Generally, if you are just trying to clean out your closet or garage, then you are an individual. You are not trying to make a profit, nor are you in the business of marketing. Otherwise, you are probably commercial, but there are exceptions...
What constitutes being commercial?
The broadest category of commercial users on the Internet are continuing enterprises. John Q. sells a computer today. He buys more parts, builds another computer, and sells it a week from today. He continues this pattern; he is a continuing enterprise. He can be dealing in computers, soliciting money for a charitable organization, building his MLM downline, and so on.
Most, but not all commercial users are continuing enterprises. If you originally bought the item with the intent of making a profit, you are better off considering yourself commercial.
A few opportunities sit in the middle and require a little intuition. If you are an investor selling a single painting, for example, you may consider yourself an individual if you are just trying to get rid of it. If your asking price is high because you are trying to make a profit, however, it would be more appropriate to present yourself commercially. If your environmental consulting company has an office full of obsolete furniture, then it can also go either way. Generally, if it's a one-time offering, if selling office needs isn't your regular business, and if the list of items isn't large, then you can sneak in as an individual. An example: You work for IBM and are trying to sell the break room's old coffee maker. If you are liquidating a 5-story office building, then consider yourself commercial as you will find your best audience in the commercial newsgroups. An example: AT&Ts; corporate headquarters moves into a much smaller building.
If you have a situation that isn't described here, assume you are commercial. Your reputation will be safer that way.
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