Weekly TLC challenge Thread Concern

[cindy501]

I'm not sure how I feel about this but I am a little bothered by the fact that a "challenge thread" is directing us to a technique that is only available through a subscription website/newsletter. I think this is a form of advertising through the forums and is not allowed according to what I remember from the forum rules. Link to thread: Forums at Splitcoaststampers
Link to website referenced: http://www.techniquejunkies.com/

The technique is explained by the original poster but the first thing she mentions is to go to a website and when you go to the website to see the technique, you have to be a subscriber. Just a little observation that I thought you could clear up for me and make me feel a little better about it so I don't mumble displeasure to myself when I see something like it again. I think this is at least the 2nd one this poster has done before featuring this website.

Edited to add what I found in the Terms of Service: Advertising/Solicitation

You may not advertise your company, product or site in our forums or solicit customers. This includes but is not limited to your own specials, sales, open houses, stamp camps, products you sell on your website, etc. edited to add: No posting for personal gain.
Posts that are promotional in nature or contain commercial solicitations may be deleted by one of the administrators or moderators.
Posts that are informational in nature regarding a company or its products are permitted.
Signatures may contain a maximum of 2 links to business or commercial sites as long as no promotional language accompanies the link. Referral links are not allowed.
Should you wish to advertise on our site, you may contact Daven Nolta at [email protected] for rates and availability.

While I see that Item number 3: Posts that are informational in nature regarding a company or its products are permitted, I think it is a little leading to have a moderator for a challenge thread to be promiting a sight that is only available through subscription only.

[jbalcer]

Hi, Cindy!
Thank you for expressing your concerns. We appreciate that our members watch out for us! You're right that we do not allow advertising in our forums. You can hit the asterisk button under the poster's name to report any post you feel is advertising, and we'll be happy to look into it.

This is an interesting situation, though, as Lynn has mentioned the newsletter as the place she first saw the technique. We do allow informational posts in the forums, and that's how I view this one.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I'm here to help!

[cindy501]

I understand this but she should probably reference the fact that the link takes you to a site that requires a paid subscription to see the technique described. It is misleading to list the link to the site and not be able to see the tutorial of the technique. So it is fine that she is referencing it because it is always good to quote your source but again, I feel some kind of notation that the SCS member may not be able to see the specific technique tutorial unless we pay to subscribe to Technique Junkie Newsletter. Thanks very much for your prompt response.

[Lynn in St. Louis]

Hi Cindy,

I wanted to address your concerns. I only mentioned that this is where I first saw the technique and only gave Pat's link as a professional courtesy. I wasn't in anyway promoting that anyone need to subscribe to her newsletter. I tried to describe the technique as best I could in my own words, which were included in the technique today. I can certainly reference the fact that TJN is a paid subscription in the future.

This technique was originally demonstrated by Ranger at Winter CHA demonstrating their Inkssential Opaque white pen before Pat picked it up for her newsletter, so Pat was not the originator of this technique, but only presented it to her subscribers.

I appreciate your concerns, as we all try to abide by SCS TOS. Thanks for bringing the suggestions you listed, and if you have any further questions, I'd be happy to try to address them.

Have a great evening.
Lynn

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindy501

I understand this but she should probably reference the fact that the link takes you to a site that requires a paid subscription to see the technique described. It is misleading to list the link to the site and not be able to see the tutorial of the technique. So it is fine that she is referencing it because it is always good to quote your source but again, I feel some kind of notation that the SCS member may not be able to see the specific technique tutorial unless we pay to subscribe to Technique Junkie Newsletter. Thanks very much for your prompt response.