What happened to discrepancy?, the posting of links Options

[Spirited Away]

Why I'm here.

The Community Guideline states:
ADVERTISING
Starting a topic for the sole purpose of advertising is not allowed. You may not solicit via Private Message. Signatures may only contain references and links to personal pages, such as your blogs and profiles; references and links to anything that is not personal, such as websites and forums are not allowed.

"Strictly" following the rules would mean any link posted in debate or news means spam/advertising. Yet it is argued by another member, E-Man, that such links are "allowed because it is [a] source [that] is not advertising or promoting a certain cause or company. You are simply citing where you got your facts or story from." However, that is deviating from the community guideline rule itself, and not "strictly" following.

According the definition agreed by iRock cB, if a link is posted so that it would provide information for a cause, it would be okay. So why is the topic "save the la mesa" censored even after I explained that it could be means for providing information?

I remember clearly that Jusun meant for staff to be lenient in the lounge, but what happened to that proposed leniency by the leader of this community?

[*Libertie*]

Kristina - I edited the post, "competing" isn't necessarily the best term to use.. The main point is that it was a similar concept, links to other sites posted by other users, but it's accepted.

And to open up discussion and get feedback, what is and isn't considered advertising? Does anyone disagree with the idea that just sharing interesting links with the community is/should be acceptable?

As Fae said, posting a link trying to get people to make a purchase is advertising.
Posting a link for the sole purpose of trying to get hits is advertising.

Anything else?

[smoke]

And to open up discussion and get feedback, what is and isn't considered advertising? Does anyone disagree with the idea that just sharing interesting links with the community is/should be acceptable?

As Fae said, posting a link trying to get people to make a purchase is advertising.
Posting a link for the sole purpose of trying to get hits is advertising.

Anything else?

I don't disagree. I believe I said in the save la mesa topic that I personally didn't really agree with removing it, but I have to abide by the rule. If I didn't say that, I meant to because I was thinking it, haha.

I'm really, really glad I did remove that link now because it lead to this topic. I've been trying to get this issue going but it looks like it actually took an example to do so and of course Fae because people respect her a lot more than they do me, I'm sure.

[demolished]

I don't disagree. I believe I said in the save la mesa topic that I personally didn't really agree with removing it, but I have to abide by the rule. If I didn't say that, I meant to because I was thinking it, haha.

I'm really, really glad I did remove that link now because it lead to this topic. I've been trying to get this issue going but it looks like it actually took an example to do so and of course Fae because people respect her a lot more than they do me, I'm sure.

Can I ask you a few questions? Before I start questioning you, I'm not trying to be an ass. I just want to know.


What does advertisement really means to you?
How does posting a link is advertising or not?
How do you abide the rules and use your appropriate judgment at the same time?

Rules aren't everything. Rules aren't always right.



Moderators should always use reasonable judgment.
They have a right to use it.
And, you probably heard something similar like that.

[*Libertie*]

Rules aren't everything. Rules aren't always right.
Moderators should always use reasonable judgment.
They have a right to use it.

Okay, this is the point I've been trying to push all this time. We SHOULD be able to use good judgment. I don't know why we don't. Why is it not okay to suspend someone without issuing a verbal warning first if they've done something bad enough to deserve it? Why isn't it okay to leave a topic open that might be considered borderline spam for just a little while longer because people (and by people, I mean more than just a small group) are having a good time?

Same thing - why aren't we allowed to make a call when a link is posted as to whether or not it's advertising? The rule doesn't state that ALL links should be removed, just those that are blatantly advertisements.

This isn't anything new! As moderators, we should all be able to decide for ourselves what is and isn't right.

HOWEVER, this has proven to me that we as staff apparently aren't all on the same page when it comes to the advertising issue. For that reason, I do feel like this is a rule that should be clarified.

Going back to what Fae said, should we limit advertising JUST to links that persuade someone to make a purchase? Are there other things that could be considered advertising?