I have a problem with that rule

[l_eclipse_l]

No offense to Shpyder for locking that thread and doing what he thought his job as moderator was, but I have a huge problem with that particular rule. Why does AF block users trying to share information about another forum just because it was a car forum? It's not like we are all going to leave AF just because we might want to join another forum or view it's content. Other sites and forums are constantly being linked to for information or content in the FAQ, etc. but nobody has a problem with that. How is this different? It's like a double standard.

The same type of thing happened when Scottsee tried to let people know about a local board he found that may have been accumulating information useful to anyone who might want it, similar to this one. I hardly doubt many people who frequent this site to begin with are going to visit less based on that fact.

I think a lot of other people are confused as well, that's why I decided to make a thread and not PM, even though *the rules* state that when a thread is closed that's what you should do. I also realize that by doing this I am technically opening myself up to a warning or ban. Yes, I do read the rules and understand why 95% of them are there, but this one in particular seems dumb. So go ahead and try to convince us why it's there AF and why you feel so insecure that you must get defensive and feel as though you need to protect yourself if someone mentions a "competitive" forum. I know the mods are just following the rules, but sometimes rules need to be challenged to gain a better understanding of exactly why they are rules.

[ned032002]

I agree 100% with eclipse, theres no reason why that thread needed to be locked. And who really cares if someone decides to join another forum, do you really think that there going to stop coming here.

[L-Spec]

I'm going to have to agree. I also understand why the rule is put into place, and policy is policy, but this is where we hang out. I think the reason everyone here is a returning member isn't because of the information or because they want to deal with dumb questions. We are not paid for this, yet we come back to deal with this, why? We all get along very well with eachother. In regards to the link, I personally don't think it was a competitive site at all. If anything, it was probably a dating service site, haha... then again, wouldn't that be considered spam? Too many loopholes, too many headaches. I think the admin for AF is doing fine, I trust them enough.

[steviek]

Yea I agree
I wonder if this thread gets locked because of the controversy lol

[crunchymilk55]

what a stupid fucking rule

another reason why AF <<<< most car forums

[links removed by mod]

there....

[Shpyder]

I appreciate your input guys, and as some of you have pointed out, us mods don't make the rules

I also agree with the fact that there would be negligible emmigration of members from this forum to that one in the thread, but that is besides the point. Policy is just policy as L-Spec mentioned, and that's the way it is with any set of rules, from the internet to real-life scenerios. There will always be loopholes, what-if's, and calls of foul-play and redundancy. We all have such a good time here on AF every day, I don't see how one small percieved infraction of our socializing on the main forum can be taken with any amount of bitterness. You guys post whatever videos you want, stress release on the main, etc., and it's all good. No other forum on AF is like ours. So, personally, if AF has one small rule (as the one in question) that requires everyone's cooperation, I don't see how it could be a hindrence to anyone who wants to have a good time here.

You folks on here have known me for a while now, and can vouch for me as being a laid back mod. But I still have to do my job And as far as rules go, you are more than welcome to contact TS, Igor, or any of the AF admin regarding this matter.

[Shpyder]

Originally Posted by crunchymilk55

what a stupid fucking rule

another reason why AF <<<< most car forums

[links removed by mod]

there....

1) You are always free to leave any time, just as members in the past have left us, complaining about AF rules.

2) Please don't post links again deliberately for the sole purpose of adding fuel to the fire. This is fair warning for everyone.

3) You have every right to believe that it is "a stupid fucking rule".

4) Moderators do not make any of the rules here on AF.

5) The AF admin is responsible for policy and you are free to contact them and let them know your thoughts.

6) An FYI: Strictly according to AF rules, more than half of the postings and threads in our E/T/L forum is considered spam (ie, "look what I found!"), post-whoring (ie, "man this sucks"), or non-contributing (ie, "haha cool!"). However, you don't see me rocking anyone's boat over that, even though I am required to. I want everyone to have fun here, and relax and chill. But, if you are going to whine and complain about the one rule that admin has specifically underscored needs to be addressed, and if it such a heart-breaker to you, I am sure you would find those other websites to be much less accomodating than anything here on AF if you'd care to explore them.



Carry on gentlemen, but let's keep it civil.

[Thor06]

LOUD NOISES!!!!!

Ok, seriously now. Lets keep this thread clean guys, I hate locking threads from contributing and respected members. I totally understand where you guys are coming from, but we were specifically instructed not to allow links to other forums. When shit is bothering you guys, dont hesitate to send me, Brian, or Shpyder or hell, even twospirits or Jay! a PM. We'll do what we can to fix it in a timely manner.

I'll talk to TS and Jay about this, see what they think....

[Shpyder]

Acceptable forms of links to off sites:

• Technical Sites
• FAQs
• Direct on-topic discussions (topic already discussed at length on another forum.
• Direct off-topic discussions (humorous/ownage type threads)
  
  (Note: with both #3 and # 4 above, the link to the other forum is acceptable as long as its directed to the topic at hand and not the forums main/index page)

Unacceptable:

• No linking to the main page of forums. (This is advertising).
• Member repeatedly posting links to a forum.
• Member asking other members to join another site. (This is spam).
• Links/graphics/banners in signatures leading to other forums. (This is advertising). Unless it’s an approved vendor.

This is official, straight from the top guys, in black and white.

[david-b]

I agree with everyone here.

Firstly, it is weird that links like that get removed from the posts, and that sometimes it doesn't make sense. However, rules are rules. They are there for a reason such as all rules are. There are a ton of rules that we break all the times as Shpyder stated, like the "I agree" and little smilies for no reason. It happens. We've got it pretty easy on here. I've been banned from a lot of forums in my days... Programming forums at that. Comeon now for real. Programming? I don't even remember why that happened but it did. We all got it easy and should appreciate the mods (and the higher powers that be) and all the hard work they do for us. No one is asking them to keep this place clean and fun, but they are. Let's just let them do their jobs. Case closed.

[l_eclipse_l]

Fair enough. I don't agree with it and I know many people on here don't either, but that's how it is I guess. Just wanted an explanation, and I got it.

The phrase "rules are rules" shit people throw around is obnoxious. Rules should not be rules unless they are valid ones with logical thinking behind them. Not always the case, and questioning them can make people realize that sometimes they shouldn't be. This happens all the time guys, just think about it before you say "rules are rules, just follow them".

[crunchymilk55]

Originally Posted by david-b

I agree with everyone here.

Firstly, it is weird that links like that get removed from the posts, and that sometimes it doesn't make sense. However, rules are rules. They are there for a reason such as all rules are. There are a ton of rules that we break all the times as Shpyder stated, like the "I agree" and little smilies for no reason. It happens. We've got it pretty easy on here. I've been banned from a lot of forums in my days... Programming forums at that. Comeon now for real. Programming? I don't even remember why that happened but it did. We all got it easy and should appreciate the mods (and the higher powers that be) and all the hard work they do for us. No one is asking them to keep this place clean and fun, but they are. Let's just let them do their jobs. Case closed.

you must really want to be a mod...

still, that's a lot of sucking up.

[david-b]

Originally Posted by crunchymilk55

you must really want to be a mod...

still, that's a lot of sucking up.

I'm serious though. I've been a mod to a bunch of different forums. They included programming, PocketPC forums, and programming for PPC forums. I've got the experience of being a mod, so I understand exactly where everything comes from.

But for real though, all the mods on here work their asses off for us to keep thi place organized, setting up new sub-forums, and keeping the nOObs in place (although we own them every-now-and-then anyways). This is a fun place to be and I'd rather be here than anywhere else.

[scottsee]

Man, why am I always at the center of controversy here? I was just thinking about you fellas when I came across it. Just didn't cross my mind it was going to be a problem when I posted it.. Sorry

/end topic..

[Shpyder]

Originally Posted by scottsee

Man, why am I always at the center of controversy here? I was just thinking about you fellas when I came across it. Just didn't cross my mind it was going to be a problem when I posted it.. Sorry

Lol scott, don't worry about it. I actually thought it was really interesting to see a whole site dedicated to DSM chicks, but it's just the rules so I had to take the link out. But I know a bunch of you are probably scrambling to get registered over there already, lol.