Admin Advice Pls: Helping People vs Advertising

[Crazy Buddhist]

Earlier in this thread (http://thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9971) I wrote:

"Note: Whenever I post tech pics/ supply pics you can count on the fact that I have borrowed the image either from a manufacturer or retailer. In these circumstances I always link the image back to its source. That is my way of attributing the copyright, using the image to inform and letting the copyright holder know there are good intentions (and a link for them) behind it all - in my experience doing it that way, even if they want such an image removed, means that it all happens with smiles and teddy bears and soft drinks and not baseball bats or lawyers and invoices."

That's self explanatory. But where is the line between helping someone and advertising? Does advertising in the context of this site mean promoting something where you either gain personally or are basically spamming? If you are helping someone find something my take is you can not be advertising (unless you happen to sell that item and promote it to the other party).

I think the way I use images is responsible, informative and unlikey to cause trouble from the linked to supplier. It does potentially raise a copyright issue but mitigated in the ways I have described and therefore unlikely to be actionable. Were I on the commercial side - and I have been many times - I would be quite accepting, even pleased. Of course anyone can seek alternative suppliers but when I borrow an image I like to attribute it by linking to the source. It keeps me and this site safe and the source happy in my experience. It is honest.

I would like some feedback from Admins as to the sites "official" take on this. I sometimes wonder - if one silly ass retailer took to object, if I would, metaphorically, get spanked. Something I do not enjoy. I thought I's ask the question before it ever came up (as unlikely as I realise that is).

Cheers

Matthew

ps I had a happy day modding today :)

[jdbnsn]

No, linking like you did in that thread is not considered spamming. Spamming is "in our our eyes" posting useless crap or promoting your business. Any advertising is spam. This is just pointing someone in the direction of a useful product/solution.

[xRyokenx]

It would be something like:

More Spam!

[Pic of Can of Spam here]

[crenn]

This is spam:

http://www.forward-moving.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/38197-spam.jpg

Sorry, just had to after seeing xRyokenx's post ^-^;

[Spawn-Inc]

not to be rude or anything but i myself consider this some what related to spam as this could have easily been pm'd to an admin or two. though i guess other people can look and see this question. ohwell just my .2 Cents.

[jdbnsn]

It's kind of good to have this question raised publicly, might clear the subject with others.

[crenn]

Well, you could also point out that if something was wrong, the admins would have let CB know. But I'm sure CB just wanted to make sure that it was fine. Also the thread serves as a reference point for some users.


..... or a spamming ground ^-^;

EDIT: What he said ^

[Jim Beam]

ok here is a question I was looking for some modders mesh the other day and online they were out of what I wanted. I then proceeded to make some calls to a few people I knew and found what I wanted but in a large quantity. I was thinking of starting a website to sell this and some other items online. If I make one post (not spam the board) about this site to allow access to others is that spam? Considering that this isn't my reason for being here nor am I looking for free advertising.

[.Maleficus.]

ok here is a question I was looking for some modders mesh the other day and online they were out of what I wanted. I then proceeded to make some calls to a few people I knew and found what I wanted but in a large quantity. I was thinking of starting a website to sell this and some other items online. If I make one post (not spam the board) about this site to allow access to others is that spam? Considering that this isn't my reason for being here nor am I looking for free advertising.
You need admin permission before you can do that, so it would probably be locked or deleted pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure Jon, Dave, or Paul have to OK any advertising on the forums other than putting a link to your site in your User CP (if someone has a homepage and the put it there when you click their name in a post it says "Visit BlahBlah's Homepage").


Edit: Also, I think the same holds true for sigs. A big gaudy, "Visit my Page!!" sig is generally frowned upon too.

[jdbnsn]

Ads in your sigs is a no go like Mal said. However, if you start a website selling modding stuff I would happily ad a link to the Modder's Supply thread at the top of the Chatterbox, that's what it's for. If you want to post a banner, well that's a different story and you would need to pony up some cash.

[Crazy Buddhist]

It's kind of good to have this question raised publicly, might clear the subject with others.

Yessum Sir ! Thats why I did it this way :D to provide a reference point. And it isn't spam for that very reason. Thanks for your clarification. :up:

[Crazy Buddhist]

not to be rude or anything but i myself consider this some what related to spam as this could have easily been pm'd to an admin or two. though i guess other people can look and see this question. ohwell just my .2 Cents.

Spawn

I asked myself exactly that question. I decided it would provide a useful reference on the subject to others and that if I was asking the question others may be too. Thats why I chose to post it in the forum.

Matthew

[yazeed1906]

I remember I made a post about a workbench I found...but couldn't afford it. I really like the workbench and thought others would too. But a mod or admin took the thread down/deleted it.

I thought it was kinda wrong. I didn't post it to be spam...but rather to show others that might would want a bench too. But.....

that's the way it is when it comes to forum..you play by the rules or you don't play at all.

[jdbnsn]

Where did you post it? If you put it in Hot Hardware Deals it should have been fine. Maybe it was mistaken as spam, that does happen on occasion.

[yazeed1906]

Where did you post it? If you put it in Hot Hardware Deals it should have been fine. Maybe it was mistaken as spam, that does happen on occasion.

yeah I put in hardware deal...but that fact that it was taken down doesn't bother me, all things here are at the discretion (sp?) of the admin/mods.

[jdbnsn]

It was probably taken down by mistake then. Especially if you had a really low post count at the time, that just screams spammer.

[DaveW]

We have had issues where copyrighted material has been copied to the forums. When the owner contacted us, we usually come to an agreement, but at the same time, we don't consider ourselves responsible for what you post. If that answers your question.

-Dave