bp2go
Trail Wise!
California
Posts: 1,332
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Post by bp2go on Apr 12, 2016 15:10:08 GMT -8
This forum is your forum. It is reasonable to invite the members to have a voice in how it works, trying to make sure you like what’s here. It has long-been a policy to remove spam posted by drive-by “members” who sign up to sell something. But this “no links” policy (originally issued by previous BP owners and staff) was modified to allow what was supposed to be a single link in the signature area, allowed for proven members as a favor. The understanding was that links could not be added in the messages, no sales please. Of course the obvious next problem was that it became my job to be the link police. How may posts before a new member was proven and could add a link?
As time has passed, things have changed, I no longer have a mandate from HQ to keep links limited to established members. And I confess, I had a negative reaction to watching the “What have you written?” thread turn into a list of links to books written by members! Completely not expected. But what do I do? It doesn’t seem to have bothered anyone, so is the rule now to relax and let members advertise their wares? The Cookbook Wars started the whole debate: let links live or ban them all? Then-HQ established the rule to allow the one link in the signature.
But of course when I chide a new member for posting a product, they will wonder why others have links? Is it time to relax the rules and let what is happening just continue to happen? When a new guy @wesley wants to promote his app, is it annoying? or possibly welcome information? After all, a few days ago I asked a new person ( @adamnieri ) to not spam the Gear area when he posted links; he replied he simply was a user who loved the product! See the dilemma? Members can, and do, suggest and link to products, That is okay. How do I make the case for a new guy to not promote his app?
It’s your forum, I just rearrange the furniture and maintain the place. What do you want me to do?
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
Posts: 1,168
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Post by sarbar on Apr 12, 2016 15:23:59 GMT -8
I have tried to abide to the years old decree of no links.....now if someone else links me, well you know ;-) But if they are from an established forum user? As long as it isn't every post. Or even every 20 posts. The sig line does a good enough job overall.
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bp2go
Trail Wise!
California
Posts: 1,332
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Post by bp2go on Apr 12, 2016 15:29:12 GMT -8
And I recognize that. I only mentioned the Cook Book Wars because it was where HQ wanted to knock out the messages with included links. I asked that established embers be allowed the sig link. Paula suggested you be asked to post some recipes, so I guess she hasn't noticed that you do, and have. Your Alfredo recipe for the new member was appreciated.
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on Apr 12, 2016 15:32:46 GMT -8
I don't know what sort of controls there are behind the scenes for you to manage. Could it be possible to create a post threshold (say 25 posts) before any links are enabled on a user?
I have no idea how these sorts of sites work, so I'm just spit balling. I tend to view forums as a "user beware" environment so I don't mind jumping past a link from someone who I don't know, or at least recognize from their posts here. That said, it would be a pain to see the site spray painted with links from self-servers who only came to sell their wares.
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Post by Sleeping Bag Man! on Apr 12, 2016 15:35:00 GMT -8
I think you should relax the rules, so I can sell some tasty Unicorn Meat™! I just recently became an authorized reseller. Unicorn Meat™ is the ideal backpacking food - packed with protein, magic, and sparkles. No other backpacking food can replenish your sparkles after a rigorous day on the trail quite like Unicorn Meat™. Unicorn Meat™ is also super lightweight, and is guaranteed not to spoil! So stock up today for your next adventure. Unicorn Meat™ - crunchy bits of horn in every bite!
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Post by Sleeping Bag Man! on Apr 12, 2016 15:55:22 GMT -8
(OK OK I'll be serious now)
In the previous thread you mentioned the idea of dabbling with advertising. I'm OK with banner ads (relevant ones, that is - not ads for Snuggies, or Sauna Pants, or wheeled Watermelon Coolers, etc), but I'm skeptical with the low traffic that you'll get too far with bigger companies.
How about killing two birds with one stone here - what if you allowed members to become sponsors?
Create a new "sponsor" section, and for $10 a year or whatever, the member could post their wares in this section, and have a little "I'm a sponsor" badge on their profile. You could have a more expensive tier for bigger companies if they're interested.
That way the sponsored content could be segregated & "sticky", where other users can peruse (or not) at their own whim. And the sponsors would have no need to keep repeating themselves in normal conversation. Boom bang bing, you guys could generate a little bit of dough without totally whoring out the place.
Just a thought. I think it would be interesting & compelling to see what fellow members are coming up with. There is some good stuff.
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on Apr 12, 2016 16:02:25 GMT -8
Sleeping Bag Man!You had me with the Unicorn meat, but the second idea is even better. Hammock forum has "donating member" status which opens up a few other boards that non-donators can't access I actually like your idea better as it would allow them to put their wares in a sort of market place location. Most of us are "gear-dos" and are always looking at new stuff. Such a location could draw traffic. It could be a great win for sellers and forum users.
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Post by Sleeping Bag Man! on Apr 12, 2016 16:20:36 GMT -8
You had me with the Unicorn meat Order today, and get a free can of Leprechaun Nuggets™! It could be a great win for sellers and forum users. It's better than my other idea, which is to sell "instant argument wins" in the Political Arena. For $10 you could instantly replace all your opponent's words in a thread with "I'm wrong I'm wrong I'm wrong"
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Post by llamero on Apr 12, 2016 17:31:09 GMT -8
I welcome the Wesleys of the world to offer their wares to us. If they can introduce their innovations in an interesting way, I might follow the link, if not, I can ignore them just as I would any other post. However, I believe you should always reserve the right to remove and/or ban accounts that abuse the privilege. Having a few quality vendors and reviewers (experts in their field) would give this wonderful site a boost to the next level. Perhaps you could err on the side of permissiveness in allowing vendors to post, at least until it becomes a problem. I suggest a Vendor section and full disclosure from them.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,959
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 12, 2016 20:31:48 GMT -8
I think that what was being done with the "what have you written?" thread was the same as what almost every group at Goodreads.com ends up doing: creating a segregated section where you can hawk your wares. That's more or less what Ory is suggesting, and there's a reason it catches on: it gives people a chance to make a blatant statement in one place--and gives more sense of justice to refusing to let that into other places.
The issue Steve raises about the new member who is just "really excited" about something is a bit trickier, since yeah, we all like to have links when someone is suggesting a product that might solve the problem you just posted. But when it shows up everywhere? That starts to look like a nice little sock puppet for the seller, and a moderator shouldn't feel guilty about deleting (full disclosure: I'm a mod in two Goodreads forums, and I delete spamming posts regularly. But I'm a real hardnosed sort. I throw loud people out of the library, too).
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2016 3:08:28 GMT -8
How about you give us a thumbs-down icon for every ad? The advertisers pay by how many thumbs-down ratings they are willing to risk. If they pay for 10 thumbs and advertise a helpful product, the longer the ad survives and their cost-effectiveness increases. At 10 thumbs down, the ad disappears. The longer the ad survives, the more income for Backpacker Magazine, the more prospective customers for the advertisers. Oh, I don't know. Just a thought.
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echo
Trail Wise!
Posts: 3,421
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Post by echo on Apr 13, 2016 5:24:07 GMT -8
I started the what have you written thread, thinking of the goodreads forums actually. And when I started it, I took the link out of my sig. line, thinking in the book section, people who saw it would be the ones who went looking for it. There (Goodreads) each section seems to sprout one thread for links, and they stay in that thread or get deleted. But I wouldn't be against a small fee to be able to keep the what have you written thread, I don't actually think it has made me much money, maybe ten bucks in all so it would have to be a small fee, my books usually sell in person or not at all, and yet the ability to mention it there feels good. Maybe a gear suggestion thread could be designated too?
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
Posts: 1,168
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Post by sarbar on Apr 13, 2016 10:35:13 GMT -8
LOL...my husband bought me that a few years back. It sits on my desk should I get hungry ;-)
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
Posts: 1,168
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Post by sarbar on Apr 13, 2016 10:39:58 GMT -8
And I recognize that. I only mentioned the Cook Book Wars because it was where HQ wanted to knock out the messages with included links. I asked that established embers be allowed the sig link. Paula suggested you be asked to post some recipes, so I guess she hasn't noticed that you do, and have. Your Alfredo recipe for the new member was appreciated. I won't lie...a few of us sure loved to stir the pot back then ;-) I deserved my hand slapping. Oh the memories.....although I can honestly say I am glad it is all over.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 10,026
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Post by zeke on Apr 13, 2016 10:55:09 GMT -8
I link to 3 recipe places any time someone asks. 2 of the authors are from these boards, the other from Hammock Forums. Can that be construed as wrong footed? I link to REI often, because they give me the kind of product page I like when searching for gear. I would not guess that everyone actually buys from there, but can see what I am talking about.
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