Avatars, links, advertising........CHANGE IN RULES

[Archive]

Posted By: Joann

And that, Leon, is why you are such a great moderator. Thank you. I didn't think you intended to throw such a wide net and stated that in my original post. I am much more comfortable with you addressing conduct that approaches abuse of the main forum on a case by case basis. I understand this just makes more work for you, but would rather have you apply your good sense to each case than implement blanket restrictions.

And Barry, you make some good points that I had considered. I even wondered if paid advertiser status would give the advertiser free rein to insert graphics, links and promo comments into threads at will.

The bottom line is that this is all very easy to see but complicated to structure. On the one hand, if I were an advertiser I would definitely wonder if I wouldn't be better off spraying buckshot in the main forum with my links and banners for free. On the other hand, there seems to be a strong feeling among participants that we don't want the main forum to become over-commercialized. On the third hand, we want people to be able to post links to helpful sites - even if commercial - in good faith.

See the problem? Already too many hands! lol. So while it seems easy to see when something has run amok, it's much harder to try to articulate the differences and boundaries.

This is why I'm both relieved and grateful that Leon is willing to spend his time lassoing in those that stray too far on an individual basis. It seems that any set standard to try to gage behavior would be restrictive to someone that doesn't or shouldn't need the restriction.

Thanks again Leon.

Joann

(Oh, and to Tim too for your kind comments about wisdom and good sense. Although I think I could show that to a few people here in GR and they would fall over from either utter disbelief or hysterical laughter.)