I noticed a reprimand for someone mentioning a book on an online auction site. It said advertising was not allowed. Serious question, when is advising felow MAists that a book is available advertising? isn't recommending a book also advertising? What are the rules/guidelines on this.

I'm not being stroppy, just want to know.

Ditto. I was curious as to the parameters as well.

The FAQ: - Participants may not use the Forums to post or transmit advertisements or commercial solicitations of any kind.

But would that also apply to seminars/post your event as well?

I 'understand' the above restriction to mean that you can discuss a book/event if you have no vested interest in the commercial success of the item.

Hmmmm.....yes, this can be an awkward call sometimes.

Mentioning a book or product that you use for informational purposes is acceptable - especially if one of the other members requested info on it.

EX:

Harlan, here is a link to some videos about xyz that you asked about. www.(...).com

Mentioning something (or directing someone to an obvious sales link) with no other reference or point is considered advertising.

EX:

Hey guys! Check my new gadget at www.(...).com

Umm...Who asked? Advertisers can also be spotted with their very low post count (1,5 etc) and the fact that all their OTHER posts were the same kind of crap.

Kind of like the Supreme Court's definition of pornography - "I know it when I see it!"

So if , for example, I see something on an online auction which is not of interest to me but may be to others then I can't advise people?

Again, if it is in an informational context (ie; you are asking "Does anyone know about XYZ, here is a link ?" or someone else on the forum asks "Does anyone know about XYZ?"), that is fine.

Blatant advertising needs to be paid for to keep this site running. Plus, do you really want a non-stop parade on ads on the forums?

No, I was just curious. I'm a member of a puppetry site and members often let others know when there is something tasty on auction. I was just surprised how someone got jumped on when they did it here. Mind you, rereading I can see how it might have looked advertisingly.

Dear Trevek et al:

I don't know if this will help, but I will throw the experience out for what its worth.

Not all that long ago one of the kwans in the Hapkiyusool branch of the Hapkido arts put out a VCD or DVD regarding its basic curriculum. I felt there had already been indications in previous posts pointing towards some strong commercial motives, but figured that maybe there might be some growth for people in the Hapkido arts in that we could now talk about a core of materials that everyone could reference. Makes sense doesn't it? Any how I thought so, so I started asking technical questions and so forth. From the response you would have thought I was trying to pry into issues of National Security!! And while I was at it, how dare I challenge (?) a person of GM So&So's standing and experience. Needless to say, whatever the motives for putting the material out there, it was pretty plain that discussion, analysis and sharing weren't part of the picture.

Don't know if this helps. From where I sit, people come to these forums to exchange information, critical and otherwise. If the thread is limited to just alerting people to the existence of some venue, I'd say it was pretty much blatant advertising. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

Bruce,
Your post was an ad. You name your product, your price, and the outlets it is available in. It is disingenuos to claim it is an invitation to discussion. It is in violation of the forum rules. It will be edited in time. You are very close to losing your priviledge to post here.

Errm, thanks it is all a little clearer. However, IF I see something on line which might be of interest to others (but not me) can I mention it in passing?

How is this for an example:

I want to discuss, or bring to attention of others, a particular book. I have no personal vested interest in it, but I wanted others to know about it...so I linked to the website where it is summarized, and if one goes further one can actually order from the site. I feel that it was good etiquette...but have not heard anything back on it yet.

http://www.fightingarts.com/ubbthreads/s...ue#Post15784734