Commercial links

[Tom Bick]

I do hope Admin 'sifts' the 'yes' replies on the poll and removes all those made by the commercials that have voted.

I would suspect that there is a serious bias in their voting, in that the majority would like to see commercial links allowed (there will be a few who will have honourably abstained -ITLD per eg - and a few who will have wanted the forum to stay commercial-free). Each of those 'commercial-free' votes (no) from commercial members should probably be worth double!

RAB

That’s a double No vote from me then Rab if you gat your way.

I like things the way it is with no commercial advertising, yes it can be a bit frustrating at times and edges can be a bit blurred but we are all big enough to be able to work round it.

 

[Poly Hive]

I am very pleased indeed to hear that the DC site is now allowed again as it is a serious resource that I have used for many years and used also to assist others.

However as Admin is aware there is potential to assist the forum in another way but how to go about it is a bit of a challenge.

PH

 

[JamezF]

Surely the entire point of "the world-wide web" is to be able to provide references that allow the reader to quickly and easily locate related information? I'm sure that's what Tim Berners-Lee had in mind when he invented it. Not that links should be deliberately obscured so that only those in the know could work out what was going on, or that those who wanted to know more should find it more difficult or long-winded than it need be to get to the information they're after.

As I've posted elsewhere, I'm not at all keen on people promoting their own products or businesses, but to deliberately block references to commercial websites when the link is central to the content of a posting where people without a commercial interest want to discuss a commercially-sold product is bizarre and ridiculous. And to suggest that people should use one of any number of methods to circumvent the restrictions imposed or that the uncovering of the intended reference is somehow more valuable if it is harder to do is just wilfully obtuse IMNSHO.

James

 

[tonybloke]

I like things the way it is with no commercial advertising, yes it can be a bit frustrating at times and edges can be a bit blurred but we are all big enough to be able to work round it.

Surely the entire point of "the world-wide web" is to be able to provide references that allow the reader to quickly and easily locate related information? I'm sure that's what Tim Berners-Lee had in mind when he invented it. Not that links should be deliberately obscured so that only those in the know could work out what was going on, or that those who wanted to know more should find it more difficult or long-winded than it need be to get to the information they're after.

As I've posted elsewhere, I'm not at all keen on people promoting their own products or businesses, but to deliberately block references to commercial websites when the link is central to the content of a posting where people without a commercial interest want to discuss a commercially-sold product is bizarre and ridiculous. And to suggest that people should use one of any number of methods to circumvent the restrictions imposed or that the uncovering of the intended reference is somehow more valuable if it is harder to do is just wilfully obtuse IMNSHO.

James

I can't really see the issue here, the forum has been fine how it is, the forum rules are there for all to see, if you don't like it.................................................

 

[psafloyd]

The best sites self regulate whether that is by stripping data out or allowing people to report transgressions.
I oppose the site becoming commercial unless people are paying to be there, ie advertising. I think the use of links should be ok for sharing information, but if people felt someone was simply plugging their stuff without contributing to the general debate, they could report it.
If that was possible, the system could remove anything reported until an admin can check it rather than admin having to face a barrage of complaints every time someone's nose is put out of joint.
If the latter was possible, I would favour that style, as I voted yes for links.

While I often agree with RAB, I cannot agree with his notion of weighting votes. Surely, every member has a right to contribute and commercial suppliers (who are, after all, members) have the same right to voice their opinion as any other member. Otherwise, we have the very dangerous situation of all members being equal, but with some being more equal than others...

 

[JamezF]

I can't really see the issue here, the forum has been fine how it is, the forum rules are there for all to see, if you don't like it.................................................

Then you can

1) live with it
2) get lost
3) suggest that it be changed

I am doing the latter.

And what does "the forum has been fine how it is" actually mean? I'd suggest nothing more than that you're happy with the status quo. The world is full of things that might be (or were) "fine the way they are" yet could still be improved or made more useful if they were changed.

James

 

[Pete D]

Being relatively new here and after stumbling across the forum I thought this is good and visit it everyday now I voted no because in my view if it aint broke dont fix it.
Also as a new keeper that has spent a few bob on kit without having the benefit of links to help me I am quite happy to shop about and buy what I feel is right for my bees and my style of bee keeping.
I have to say that I mostly use this site at work and we have fairly strict IT rules and most links get blocked anyway............. I have permission to use this site at work as it checked out as spam and commercial free.
Pete D

 

[tonybloke]

And what does "the forum has been fine how it is" actually mean? I'd suggest nothing more than that you're happy with the status quo. The world is full of things that might be (or were) "fine the way they are" yet could still be improved or made more useful if they were changed.

James

what i meant was, for the 3 yrs I've been on the forum, its been great, with no links or ads. so yeah, I'm happy with the status quo ( but not the band)

i agree some things can be improved, I'm all for darwinian selection, but I'm not in favour of so-called improvements just for the sake of it.

 

[JamezF]

I do hope Admin 'sifts' the 'yes' replies on the poll and removes all those made by the commercials that have voted.

And if that isn't a blatant suggestion to rig a vote then I don't know what is.

Either people with a commercial interest should not be allowed to vote at all, or every forum user should count as equal regardless of their interest. If it's to be a free and fair vote then I'm for the latter. Picking and choosing who should be allowed to vote which way is way out of line.

James

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

i agree some things can be improved, I'm all for darwinian selection, but I'm not in favour of so-called improvements just for the sake of it.

No one is, but some of us believe that this particular "so-called improvement" would be a change for the better

 

[Norton]

I suggest keeping the poll open until the yes vote is in the majority.

 

[Black Comb]

The luddites are slightly ahead.
Come on the malcontents.

 

[porterswoods]

I suggest keeping the poll open until the yes vote is in the majority.

This isn't a european referendum, you can't keep holding a vote untill you get the desired answer.

 

[Norton]

This isn't a european referendum, you can't keep holding a vote untill you get the desired answer.

Dang, you beat me to it. In our democratic system in this mighty EU if the voters return a no vote they are then given more chances to return the right vote. I suggest we do the same here, we all respect the democratic process do we not?

 

[porterswoods]

it's alright the mighty merkozy will soon be here and tell you what to do.

 

[wightbees]

Why not, just call it a draw

 

[tonybloke]

when's the replay?

 

[Easy Beesy]

we've got a Beekeeping Directory so why do we need to put commercial links on posts too?

 

[Into the lions den]

Some commercial forum members advertise, with prices but without links to their own sites. Which way is their 'serious bias' likely to be?

Correct me if I am wrong, but this may be a reference to me putting up what the real prices stuff is traded at for all to see.

I do not like seeing any beekeeper being overcharged, especially for mediocre supplies, and standard supplies that pretend to be special. I am not offering to sell, have no 'cut' if you go to the people I will tell about (usually in PM). Quiet acceptance of the status quo on pricing just means you keep getting your pockets picked by some.

Useful information to our little community surely has to extend to giving 'not for profit' pointers on how to get value for money.

 

[JamezF]

we've got a Beekeeping Directory so why do we need to put commercial links on posts too?

So, for example, people can post things like

"I'm thinking of buying one of these 'automated queen finders'. Has anyone tried them? Did they work?"

where 'automated queen finders' can be a link to the product in question. Or, in response to a question such as "I'm looking for a new corkscrew hive tool. Can anyone recommend one?". Someone can answer

"This one (link) works well for me and looks like it should last years, but if you're left-handed you might prefer something more like this other one (link)."

James