Thread: Absurd secret rules

What the hell is this absurd secret forum rule about not being able to link to other internet sites??

Nothing in the rules about it but one of my posts got modified because I linked to another internet site..



FORUM RULES - Woodwork Forums

I was going to post on this subject after I saw your modified post.
I've been through the rules and can't find a mention of it.

I have no problem with the administrators setting such a rule (even if I can't see the point) but please add it to the terms of service.

Originally Posted by .RC.

What the hell is this absurd secret forum rule about not being able to link to other internet sites??

Nothing in the rules about it but one of my posts got modified because I linked to another internet site..



FORUM RULES - Woodwork Forums

G'day .RC.,
I think you'll find that the modification is standard to all forums, as you are a bit wrong in stating that your post was modified because it had an "Internet link" in it.
It was modified because it contained a "cross forum link" which in the wrong circumstances can cause Mods and Admins on both forums very serious problems.
You are not being singled out for "special treatment"...as ever since I've been a Mod & Admin I delete those links every time I come across them.

Originally Posted by watson

G'day .RC.,

It was modified because it contained a "cross forum link" which in the wrong circumstances can cause Mods and Admins on both forums very serious problems.

How does it cause problems?? I have never heard of any rule or problems like that on any forum I have ever visited, and I have visited a lot...

The only thing that is frowned upon and can cause problems is hot linking images..

Originally Posted by watson

G'day .RC.,
I think you'll find that the modification is standard to all forums, as you are a bit wrong in stating that your post was modified because it had an "Internet link" in it.
It was modified because it contained a "cross forum link" which in the wrong circumstances can cause Mods and Admins on both forums very serious problems.
You are not being singled out for "special treatment"...as ever since I've been a Mod & Admin I delete those links every time I come across them.

So does that mean that we can type the name of the forum , the section , the thread title etc , but not post a 'hot' link ?

And will this undocumented rule be added to the forum rules posts?

Originally Posted by .RC.

How does it cause problems?? I have never heard of any rule or problems like that on any forum I have ever visited, and I have visited a lot...

The only thing that is frowned upon and can cause problems is hot linking images..

Try it on at Sawmill Creek.

Originally Posted by Manuka Jock

So does that mean that we can type the name of the forum , the section , the thread title etc , but not post a 'hot' link ?

Yes.

We allow links to other web pages.

We DO NOT allow direct links to other Forums.

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

And will this undocumented rule be added to the forum rules posts?

I have a task that I've set myself to review the rules and try to make them clearer and more easily accessed/read. Unfortunately a series of problems with my connection at home have pushed this back quite a way.

Here is an excerpt from SMC rules, our approach is very similar.

"3. External Linking
Links to other websites are allowed in posts. In fact, they are
encouraged. However, links for the sole purpose of marketing,
generating traffic to a site, or any other commercial advertisement deemed
to solicit commercial benefit are not allowed. Links to other public or private forums are not allowed. Links should be submitted as references, for the sole purpose of generating or supporting discussions on SawMill Creek. "

Originally Posted by Groggy

Here is an excerpt from SMC rules, our approach is very similar.

"3. External Linking
LLinks to other public or private forums are not allowed. Links should be submitted as references, for the sole purpose of generating or supporting discussions on SawMill Creek. "

That is still not an answer as to a logical reason why such a rule exists....

If there is a valid, logical, real problem creating issue to have such a rule then OK, but if it is only to keep up with the Jones's..well...

Originally Posted by Robbo

Yes.

We allow links to other web pages.

We DO NOT allow direct links to other Forums.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Robbo

Try it on at Sawmill Creek.

Correct me if I'm wrong but this is not the Sawmill Creek forum? Quoting the rules for their forums is not that relevant here.

I'm sure none of us has any problem adhering to the rules that Woodwork Forums lay down for forum membership and posting. My problem is with the administrators applying an undocumented rule with little or no explanation and then claiming "it's what other forums do' as an excuse.

I feel the best response would have been to explain that it isn't allowed for whatever reasons and to add it to the existing rules. Any future posts that infringe this rule could then be modified with a reference to the rule.

The logic is that cross-forum posting has been used by aggressive forum owners/members as a way to try to recruit new members to their forums and reduce the activity on the other forum. So we and most other forums do not allow it.

As a real example of what could happen without such a rule, imagine a situation where a group of forum members decide they don't like a forum and set up their own. Nothing wrong with that. They then try to encourage members of the old forum to go to their new forum by posting links. We don't stop that, so long as the link is inactive (ie the reader can't just cllick through to the new forum, he has to copy the info,paste into the browser and delberately go there).

We are happy with providing information to all other kinds of sites and happy if other forums do well because, for example, their posts are frequently picked up by Google and other search engines, but we draw the line at other forums using this forum as a way to try to divert the members here to that other forum. Competitiion is good and a benefit to all, but using this forum to promote your own in a way that potentially undermines the value of this forum as an active community is inappropriate.

Originally Posted by .RC.

That is still not an answer as to a logical reason why such a rule exists....

If there is a valid, logical, real problem creating issue to have such a rule then OK, but if it is only to keep up with the Jones's..well...

Ok I will try to supply an easy answer.

Forum "A" wants to increase its traffic i.e. hits per month to lift itself on any search engines so that if you are looking for anything related to widgets your Forum comes up at the top of the list.

Forum "A" owners ask their members to go out and put as many links in other forums to "poach" members thereby increasing their ranking on search engines.

They can then use this data to attract sponsors who pay them to advertise on their forums. A form of Spam.

The short answer is: It ain't allowed on this Forum.

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Correct me if I'm wrong but this is not the Sawmill Creek forum? Quoting the rules for their forums is not that relevant here.

I'm sure none of us has any problem adhering to the rules that Woodwork Forums lay down for forum membership and posting. My problem is with the administrators applying an undocumented rule with little or no explanation and then claiming "it's what other forums do' as an excuse.

I feel the best response would have been to explain that it isn't allowed for whatever reasons and to add it to the existing rules. Any future posts that infringe this rule could then be modified with a reference to the rule.

It has been noted a number of times throughout the last 10 Years.

Just hasn't been added to the rules BUT WILL BE SHORTLY.

PS Jeremy posted whist I was typing my response.