[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by beachwanderer

Steve, I really don't think you or other authors who really take part in the discussions here on MR on numerous subjects (such as this one ) have to bother or feel adressed. The fact that you take part in this thread here shows this ... You have been around for ages () and know where you are and how to deal with things here.

(whew!)

Originally Posted by beachwanderer

But Worldwalker and omk3 in the posting quoted certainly have a point about some few new members who mistake this for a place just to do some (or excessive) promotion...

I understand where you and the others are coming from. Problem is, how do you draw that line? Is there X amount of threads/postings you must participate in, before being allowed to post a promotional thread or posting? (Actually, there are some forums that restrict your activity until you've participated to a predetermined extent, so I guess that solution might help.)

Or do you create a detailed outline of what is acceptable? Do you run it through a pre-screening process? Does everyone have to be pre-screened?

Do you segregate the ads in one little corner, making it easy to slap an "ignore" on it and close the door on those nasty promoters once and for all?

Outside of obviously-unacceptable material (ie porn, etc), trying to restrict or control free or paid advertisement is a very slippery slope. Provided the subject matter fits the intention of the forum, it's pretty much an all or nothing proposition, morally and legally. And it's very subjective... who decides what is acceptable for everyone else?

In other media, when you come across an ad for something you don't want, or you see an ad that sneaks up on its purpose by pretending to be a survey, a come-on, or a personal opinion, most of us respond by ignoring it... once we know it for what it is. No one is banning the coal industry from advertising, for instance, because they use commercials to fight against environmental groups in their area.

So I think in this case it is our responsibility to learn to recognize these veiled ads when we see them (so we can ignore them at will), and set fair and reasonable guidelines that prevent abuse of the system. MR has guidelines, and maybe they can be tweaked a bit, but I maintain that they largely work. The rest is up to us to learn how to respond to ads, without having to resort to "hiding" the material in dark little corners where they won't bother us decent folk. I think it's a task MR members can handle, we're smart enough.

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

First, off-topic: Steve, you have an awesome website. I don't say that often or lightly.

(whew again!)

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

Obviously nothing will prevent abuse, but a book promotion section would prevent confusion, which is the source of the overwhelming majority of misplaced book ads here. Isn't less confusion a good thing?

Well, I guess I never saw that as a problem, or even confusing, just threads I could read or ignore. If I'm in the minority there, so be it.