Forum Moderators: open
I think that there are a few reasons for this, the main one being that the point can be made without pointing to a specific example. general discussion allows us all to share and learn without harming others. I myself would be mortified if one the serps I compete in were to be posted in WebmasterWorld for all to see. When we sign up as members we all agree to the Terms Of Service [webmasterworld.com] . So give the mods a break, they aren't editing posts just for the sake of it.
Also I think online visitors agree to anything, we all do it, see terms and conditions, ...yeh, yeh, okay, I agree.
So, we're then happily posting without being fully aware of the terms, as those used to visiting other fora with permissions to post url's are a little miffed when they get there post clipped or removed.
"When in Rome...."
I have a feeling that it will keep happening.
Good post.
The weekend is coming up, and in my view, that's when the url drops, political/religious posts, flame warrior posts, and specific discussions heat up.
" ah! my work, you have tampered with it - how dare you mark it with red ink?"
Sorry I have to disagree.
That suggests that mods are in some way better than regular members or that posters are children. Mods and admin are not better than other members, they are just more aware and reponsible of the policies and integrity of the board.
I think the policy is more to avoid discussions (read: criticisms) on how the forum is run. Which I agree with, as at the end of the day, it's Bretts forum and he can do with it as he pleases and it's really nobodies business to come here criticising.
But I do think communication with mods about editing posts is a good thing - it avoids future misunderstandings and "clears the air". It's just more appropriate to do it via sticky mail. And in all fairness, the mods do follow up edits with a sticky to explain why they edited.
>Being specific is boring and useless because it pertains only to one person.
Again I disagree - show me a textbook that doesn't cite specific examples.
Case studies can be a very effective learning tool and in certain cases can be very interesting too.
I completely agree with the policy though - this subject area is perhaps the most open to spam and therefore playing it safe is by far the best way to maintain the integrity of the board.
Scott :)
That suggests that mods are in some way better than regular members or that posters are children. Mods and admin are not better than other members, they are just more aware and reponsible of the policies and integrity of the board.
I didn't suggest anything relating to that statement.
Sorry if I hit a raw nerve ;)
Being general creates a discussion that not only applies to many- but lives on to the future as something relevant for others down the road. Being specific is boring and useless because it pertains only to one person.
Again I disagree - show me a textbook that doesn't cite specific examples.
Case studies can be a very effective learning tool and in certain cases can be very interesting too.
Both points have high merit. The problem here (like always) is judging a balance. On a forum like this we need as little "gray" as possible. Clear consise rules are needed to keep things running smoothly. Therefore, I must side with the way things are run at the minute.
Of course, you can still give examples. Just generalise them a little. For example,
In SearchTermABC in am #1 but in SearchTermAC in an #3 where 'B' is a stop word.
Also I think online visitors agree to anything, we all do it, see terms and conditions, ...yeh, yeh, okay, I agree.
I agree. Maybe there should be a quiz on it afterwards ;)
it's Bretts forum and he can do with it as he pleases
True. I think no matter what Brett decides on any subject, I think he will always have our ear and our backing.
ATOB
Chris
The reason URL's are not allowed in posts (quite rightly) is to stop spammers logging in and using this place as a means to self-promote. Period.
TJ
For example, when I was at Uni we did a case study on Chrysler (i think it was something to do with Supplier relationships). One thing it taught me was the importance of supplier (and customer) relationships - only from specific examples within the case study.
But, yeh this is a different situation and unfortuntely people would abuse an open URL posting policy.
Scott
The quality stays good because of the TOS and the rapid response team of moderators.
I've tripped up over the TOS a couple of times, and always had a polite note from a moderator. I welcome that sort of feedback. Thanks, guys!
If there are a lot of people who are aggrieved that they can't post personal URLs here, I'm thinking of setting up a dmoz-and-WebmasterWorld-suck site where they can discuss the unfairness of the universe without bothering Brett or DMOZ editors :)
Also read the "professional spamming" thread in WebmasterWorld community
I'm trying to catch up with a backlog of messages in a CSS mailing group I belong to, which does allow URLs. On messages even just a few weeks old, the URLs linked in the message can have changed dramatically--or become non-existent. Those messages then become useless to me as a learning tool.
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