Poll on allowing commercial posts in the IBTH forum

[Len]

With the realization that this forum serves an unique role amongst all online forums, I've wondered if we should suspend the non-commercial-post clause of our user agreement for the IBTH forum. Due to the nature of the discussions here, commercially relevant posts may be hard to avoid, and disallowing these posts may hinder a useful discussion for the industry.

Would you object to allowing commercial posts in this forum? Are commercial posts useful? Are there any specific type of commercials posts you'd like to see disallowed? Discuss. BTW, you are allowed to change your vote in this poll if the discussion should sway your opinion.

 

[Anonymous]

What about a commercial sub forum? I don't really like that idea and think commercial threads are fine, but maybe should be tagged with commercial in the subject line.

 

[IconicAquariums]

i don't mind one way or the other but is it really necessary with the small community of regulars we have?

 

[Len]

Well, the current rules for every forum is we don't allow commercial posts of any kind. However, in this smaller, more focused group, the question is if we should revise policy and suspend this UA clause. Would you guys mind if we allowed commercial posts in the Industry forum only? Would it help or hurt discussions. Are there any type of commercial posts that should be disallowed?

I'd like to think no one would abuse the forum and spam it with self promotion, but I can't be sure. If we allow commercial posts, what kind of safeguards or conditions would work in everyone's best interest? Things to discuss

 

[aquaticvet1]

Len,
I think your policy is a good one but not uniformly enforced. When you have a LFS owner acting as a moderator there will be problems when an etailer posts, just as there was here. It takes a rare individual to work unbiased and clearly "Jim ain't it ". Had I stated I was opening a new fish store in Afghanistan rather than building a new Etail site, I am quite sure his mod response would have been different.

Rememeber when Kalk (before his business imploded) stated right here on this forum that he was building a new website that was going to be the worlds greatest ? --- no mod censored him. I simply did the exact same thing but got the book thrown at me.

In any event, this is a nonentity and not worth any of us worrying about, that was then and this is now. I respecfully edited my post as was suggested by the LFS owner.

Thanks, Race

 

[bookfish]

Len,
I think your policy is a good one but not uniformly enforced. When you have a LFS owner acting as a moderator there will be problems when an etailer posts, just as there was here. It takes a rare individual to work unbiased and clearly "Jim ain't it ". Had I stated I was opening a new fish store in Afghanistan rather than building a new Etail site, I am quite sure his mod response would have been different.

No Race, you are completely incorrect. It was simply that you clearly addressed the topic of the thread in the first part of your post. The second part was purely an advertisement as I saw it. And FWIW, I don't consider anyone selling wildstock to be any competition whatsoever therefore your business is truly a non-entity to me as I won't even be on the same playing field. Thanks for your kind words.-Jim

 

[Len]

If you see a post that violates the non-commercial policy currently in place, I encourage you to use the "report this post" button to help us ensure uniform enforcement of this rule. If you believe there are problems with the moderation, you need to point them out as they arise so we can review it. It doesn't mean our staff will agree with your complaint, but at least it will put our eyes on the issue.

Race, your post did indeed violate the policy, and so the civil administrative warning was deserved. I think you realized this and edited your own post (though the whole post wasn't in violation... just the promotional part). I understand you want fair moderation, and we do too. Use the report button to help us. FYI: Your reports are always strictly confidential.

 

[Len]

Now back to the topic at hand Does disallowing commercial post do more harm or more good for this specific forum? Are there specific commercial posts that should be allowed?

 

[bookfish]

Whatever is decided, i will make every effort to moderate evenly and fairly. I also join Len in requesting that people notify us directly if posts need attention. -Jim

 

[aquaticvet1]

My opinion is commercials should be paid for, that is how a site prospers. When one posts( at least me) I do not read the user agreement each time. I generally let it flow by what has been tolerated in the past, which tends to encompass gray areas. That was my fault and an error on my part so I corrected it.

Although I am not a regular on this forum I do think it serves as an excellent platform to help the hobby. I have never had anything but good to say about the people who make this forum possible. There are some real assets to the hobby here with much more to offer than I am able.

Thank you far all who provided input, Race

 

[bookfish]

And I personally am a fan of your site Race, in fact I refer people there when they need drygoods or wildstock (neither of which I'll be carrying in any real amount). I also think your efforts at coral farming are commendable. And i know that we as mods need to clearly define this aspect of the UA which is what Len is working on.

 

[Len]

My opinion is commercials should be paid for, that is how a site prospers. When one posts( at least me) I do not read the user agreement each time. I generally let it flow by what has been tolerated in the past, which tends to encompass gray areas. That was my fault and an error on my part so I corrected it.

Although I am not a regular on this forum I do think it serves as an excellent platform to help the hobby. I have never had anything but good to say about the people who make this forum possible. There are some real assets to the hobby here with much more to offer than I am able.

Thank you far all who provided input, Race

I think commercials should be paid for, but this is a rather specialized forum. Allowing trade discussions may serve a constructive purpose for this forum only. Please keep in mind the non-commercial-post policy will still be in effect for the rest of the website; We do not want vendors soliciting business from hobbyists. But business-to-business commercial exchange in the Industry forum could be useful.

 

[Anonymous]

I can't think of any vendor that has not promoted themselves on this forum at one time or another. :wink: I have no problem with it.

 

[Anonymous]

I have no problem with it, as long as the discussions involved with them have an increased level of respect and civility.

I know that's a stretch for this forum, but...

Peace,

Chip

 

[condiman]

I guess for me being on both sides of the fence is that if your seriously promoting your business then you should pay for it but I think as long as your not pushing what you do onto everyone I dont think there should be a problem