How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post links?

[BlueToBits]

Moderators, Please. It's really not helping people to have a suggested link starred out. Why do you do this?

 

[Amp David]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

Probably because our forum has been blocked on the said websites forum.

 

[rocker]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

Nah it's not just screwfux... i tried to post a link to tlc the other day and it was all starred.

It's probably because they don't sponsor the forum, or maybe to stop bots, but I do think we should be able to post direct links, maybe say you have to have 20 posts to do it or something?

 

[Sintra]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

I know there has been a new automatic spam stopper installed on the forum might have something to do with that.

I will try and find out. Links to screwfix have been banned by admin although as far as I'm aware tlc etc shouldn't be affected.

 

[Spudnik]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

Chaps,

In a nutshell, the two "banned" link are Screw fix and T L C.

We have forum sponsors who pay to have exclusive advertising on the site, which we must keep to.

However, watch this space as you never know whats just around the corner

 

[Sintra]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

Cheers J.

 

[FatBob]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

I know there has been a new automatic spam stopper installed on the forum might have something to do with that.

I will try and find out. Links to screwfix have been banned by admin although as far as I'm aware tlc etc shouldn't be affected.

TLC is blocked, I tried a link yesterday. Edited it 3 times before I realised why.

 

[BlueToBits]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

Chaps,

In a nutshell, the two "banned" link are Screw fix and T L C.

We have forum sponsors who pay to have exclusive advertising on the site, which we must keep to.

However, watch this space as you never know whats just around the corner

Thanks for your explanation. Who are the sponsors? I presume they would want us to know....

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

Thanks for your explanation. Who are the sponsors? I presume they would want us to know....

The sponsorship's working then! We're one of the sponsors BlueToBits, if you need any electrical test equipment let us know...

 

[andyb]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

Chaps,

In a nutshell, the two "banned" link are Screw fix and T L C.

We have forum sponsors who pay to have exclusive advertising on the site, which we must keep to.

However, watch this space as you never know whats just around the corner

I'm very uncomfortable about this, it's good to have sponsorship and it's needed, but not at the expense of free speech. The sites blocked are not illegal and should not be blocked on the say of your paymasters. This does not happen in the press and should not happen on a free and open forum.

 

[SMB]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

I don't think you will have a problem with free speech here.......ive moaned and moaned over the last 4 days here and not one person has told me to 'shut up'


Cool...








Might start up a 'depressed and moaning' thread.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

I'm very uncomfortable about this, it's good to have sponsorship and it's needed, but not at the expense of free speech. The sites blocked are not illegal and should not be blocked on the say of your paymasters. This does not happen in the press and should not happen on a free and open forum.

I think if we look at the present climate, if exclusivity is a 'dealbreaker' to a potential sponsor then give them it.

Maybe the other option is no sponsors and a subscription based forum?

I doubt if we'll need a poll for this one

 

[EoinConway]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

I’d like to go on record here just to say as a long-serving Forum Sponsor, we have no problem whatsoever with links to our ‘competitors’ being displayed.

With the existence of the World Wide Web/Google, it would be foolish for us to pretend our competitors don’t exist or that people aren’t savvy enough to shop around, especially in the current climate.

Healthy competition is good. When you carry good quality product at competitive prices and offer an efficient FREE delivery service you will get the business in the long run (sneaky sales pitch)


Eoin
Meteor

 

[andyb]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

I’d like to go on record here just to say as a long-serving Forum Sponsor, we have no problem whatsoever with links to our ‘competitors’ being displayed.

With the existence of the World Wide Web/Google, it would be foolish for us to pretend our competitors don’t exist or that people aren’t savvy enough to shop around, especially in the current climate.


Healthy competition is good. When you carry good quality product at competitive prices and offer an efficient FREE delivery service you will get the business in the long run (sneaky sales pitch)


Eoin
Meteor

Thank you Eoin

You're right, I'm not talking about advertising, but links that come up in normal threads like 'where can I etc etc' followed by a reply with a link.

The moderators do a good job in identifying advertising dressed up as a post and I personally think that is all the censership that's needed.

 

[Mark_Burgess]

Re: How are we supposed to talk products, tools and help people if we can't post link

I’d like to go on record here just to say as a long-serving Forum Sponsor, we have no problem whatsoever with links to our ‘competitors’ being displayed.

Where has your sponsor ad gone?

Have you pulled out?