A question for the users

[azhousepro]

I have a question that I would like an opinion on.

There was recently a post to the forums advertising a service that a small billiards site was offering. I am usually pretty easy going about people coming on and advertising what they are doing as long as they contribute to the conversation.

I did a little research and this person had posted 3 times and they were all ads for his site. One of them was even a 'Hey I saw this cool site but want to know what you think about it' type post where he was talking about his own site.

My first thought was just to ban the user for life and move on, but I thought that maybe I was being to harsh.

Anyone have an opinion on something like this?

Mike

 

[1pRoscoe]

ban the user for life

There is my opinion.

I advertise quite a bit for a friend of mine - see my sig. I plug him every chance that I get.... it also applies to about 5% of my overall posts.

If you want to advertise small for a friend/little business, go ahead, but at least contribute something. I consider what you described as spam. Good riddance.

 

[cheesemouse]

I have a question that I would like an opinion on.

There was recently a post to the forums advertising a service that a small billiards site was offering. I am usually pretty easy going about people coming on and advertising what they are doing as long as they contribute to the conversation.

I did a little research and this person had posted 3 times and they were all ads for his site. One of them was even a 'Hey I saw this cool site but want to know what you think about it' type post where he was talking about his own site.

My first thought was just to ban the user for life and move on, but I thought that maybe I was being to harsh.

Anyone have an opinion on something like this?

Mike

Mike,

I think you police your site pretty good. I think these blatant cheap grabs at free advertizing backfire when they try and push their luck. Most of posts are like drive bye shootings. They get a couple shots off and then off they go into the night....keep up the good work...the site is nice and quick...thanks

 

[Troy]

Minor advertizing along with a meaningful post seems OK, but nothing but pure advertizing should be sent to the "Wanted/For Sale" section.

Troy

I have a question that I would like an opinion on.

There was recently a post to the forums advertising a service that a small billiards site was offering. I am usually pretty easy going about people coming on and advertising what they are doing as long as they contribute to the conversation.

I did a little research and this person had posted 3 times and they were all ads for his site. One of them was even a 'Hey I saw this cool site but want to know what you think about it' type post where he was talking about his own site.

My first thought was just to ban the user for life and move on, but I thought that maybe I was being to harsh.

Anyone have an opinion on something like this?

Mike

 

[drivermaker]

I have a question that I would like an opinion on.

There was recently a post to the forums advertising a service that a small billiards site was offering. I am usually pretty easy going about people coming on and advertising what they are doing as long as they contribute to the conversation.

I did a little research and this person had posted 3 times and they were all ads for his site. One of them was even a 'Hey I saw this cool site but want to know what you think about it' type post where he was talking about his own site.

My first thought was just to ban the user for life and move on, but I thought that maybe I was being to harsh.

Anyone have an opinion on something like this?

Mike

I think everyone should contribute SOMETHING other than just pushing a product, service, or another site with AZ being used as a free billboard. However, I don't even remember it so I'd have to question it's visibility or impact. Before banning him for life, why not PM or email him regarding your displeasure.

 

[DaveK]

I have a question that I would like an opinion on.

There was recently a post to the forums advertising a service that a small billiards site was offering. I am usually pretty easy going about people coming on and advertising what they are doing as long as they contribute to the conversation.

I did a little research and this person had posted 3 times and they were all ads for his site. One of them was even a 'Hey I saw this cool site but want to know what you think about it' type post where he was talking about his own site.

My first thought was just to ban the user for life and move on, but I thought that maybe I was being to harsh.

Anyone have an opinion on something like this?

Mike

A warning might be in order, and your post above may be just that. There are contributors who will promote their wares or services here, and I think that is fine, as long as they are active in the forums and not exclusively advertising. Perhaps monitoring the account in question and pulling any further advertising postings that occur without any other forum contribution would get the message across if a warning doesn't work.

Dave

 

[Voodoo Daddy]

I have a question that I would like an opinion on.

There was recently a post to the forums advertising a service that a small billiards site was offering. I am usually pretty easy going about people coming on and advertising what they are doing as long as they contribute to the conversation.

I did a little research and this person had posted 3 times and they were all ads for his site. One of them was even a 'Hey I saw this cool site but want to know what you think about it' type post where he was talking about his own site.

My first thought was just to ban the user for life and move on, but I thought that maybe I was being to harsh.

Anyone have an opinion on something like this?

Mike

Off with his head. I know you Mike, we talked at length during my One Pocket tour days and your a class guy. You post over at CCB with NO MENTION of your own site. Self Promotion is one thing but using your site to promote his is a little creepy.

Voodoo~~~over-opinionated

 

[Tom In Cincy]

Mike,

Isn't this a pool discussion forum?

Unsolicited bussiness posts are considered SPAM.

A warning? that might stop them.
Permanent ban? that WILL stop them.

 

[larrynj1]

how about a "commercial board" where people in the business can hype their stuff? leave the for trade/for sale board to the users. general discussion spam should be deleted or moved, no matter who is posting it.

did you ever notice the guys with one or two posts asking about a specific cuemaker and/or product when it is coincidentally being offered on e-bay?

 

[azhousepro]

And that was what annoyed me about the post I mentioned. It was a post along the lines of 'Hey, this site is offering a cool service. What do you all think about it' when it was his own site.

I consider that sort of thing much worse than just advertising your own site. At least be honest about it.

Mike

did you ever notice the guys with one or two posts asking about a specific cuemaker and/or product when it is coincidentally being offered on e-bay?

 

[iusedtoberich]

I think its okay for someone to advertise without being a "discussion" contributor. They should keep their posts in the Wanted/For Sale section.

Now, if they spammed the entire board by posting their advertisement in each individual forum, that is not okay.

 

[TATE]

I have a question that I would like an opinion on.

There was recently a post to the forums advertising a service that a small billiards site was offering. I am usually pretty easy going about people coming on and advertising what they are doing as long as they contribute to the conversation.

I did a little research and this person had posted 3 times and they were all ads for his site. One of them was even a 'Hey I saw this cool site but want to know what you think about it' type post where he was talking about his own site.

My first thought was just to ban the user for life and move on, but I thought that maybe I was being to harsh.

Anyone have an opinion on something like this?

Mike

I can see where you're coming from - these kind of posts are like shills hyping a product or site. I think A-Z has very little in the way of commercial posts.

It's up to you to judge whether it's a blatant ad or of real interest to us. For example, you have a few cue dealers here who are good contributors to conversation. Their reward is they advertise their sites on every post. I think that's fine.

I would clamp only down if there was a lot of the above mucking up the boards. Also, a removal of the post and polite note of warning would be the right move, not banning them.

Chris

 

[Purdman]

YA DONE GOOD AGAIN MIKE. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANYTHING YOU HAVE DONE. KEEP UP THE EXCELANCE WORK MY FRIEND.
PURDMAN

 

[chefjeff]

Hasn't the problem just taken care of itself? As long as there's freedom for users to post about a site that is questionable, we're protected from undue harm, imho.

You could make it so advertising in someone's signature is OK, but not in a message.

Jeff Livingston
For BIGGER stick, click here!!!!!!!

 

[Cue Crazy]

And that was what annoyed me about the post I mentioned. It was a post along the lines of 'Hey, this site is offering a cool service. What do you all think about it' when it was his own site.

I consider that sort of thing much worse than just advertising your own site. At least be honest about it.

Mike

I think I am catching Your drift Mike, I did not read the post in question, but sounds like they were talking about theirself in second person. That is kind of dishonest I guess. I aggree with the others that a stern warning is in place, and if It continues then you have to do what you must. They will probably not even post again after a warning anyway. Ofcourse if the post is in direct comp with you, keep in mind this is Your site therefore You do not have to stand for It at all, I don't think It would the same as bla ballin someone, as they should have known better from the get go. As far as the usual stuff thats Is posted, and should be excepted, would be a paticular product someone has used and willing to stand behind, or something along those lines. In most cases if It Is their honest personal opinion, and they have no gain from It, then that would have to be acceptable. Also Ofcoarse there are alot of hard working people in the buss. that take time out of their schedule to post on here and help others with answers to their questions, don't see no harm in those types catching alittle promo every once and a while as long as not out of hand. Most of those do IMO contribute to the success of the site, and the inside info they provide Is one of the reasons I joined the forum. To swap Ideas with them to come to my own conclusions, and improve By own ventures, and interests in the billiard industry. Alot of people on here would have alot to gain from It, but atleast they keep it to a minumum, and offer something more by contributing to the posts as well. To just advertise with no contribution to discussion, is not fair to the guys that try to keep it to a minimum, because most them could use the advertisement theirselves. If they want nothing, but to advertise tell them you can rent them a banner for a fee.

Mike, altough I have not had the pleasure of meeting you in person, but do read alot of posts, from what I can gather you seem like a fair & honest guy that is genuinely interested at improving the site, so everyone can continue to enjoy using It. You seem real cool about things that alot of others would not be so cool about. I Don't think anyone here could bad you for making a corperate desision on a matter like this. Just follow your heart, do what you think is the correct thing, and you can't go wrong.


Greg

 

[jhendri2]

Though I'm not a paid advertiser on your site, if I were and saw people advertising their business for free (just by posting) I'd be pissed! If folks want to advertise they should pay for it like everyone else. At the top of the page currently is a banner for Layani Cues, if Tim Scruggs came on and posted nothing but his website, I would delete it. It's one thing to be a person to person seller in the Want Ads and all together another, to just post you site, saying come by from me.

Just my opinion,

Jim

 

[sniper]

general discussion spam should be deleted or moved, no matter who is posting it.

That's my opinion right there.

 

[vagabond]

Stealth Advertisement

I have a question that I would like an opinion on.

There was recently a post to the forums advertising a service that a small billiards site was offering. I am usually pretty easy going about people coming on and advertising what they are doing as long as they contribute to the conversation.

I did a little research and this person had posted 3 times and they were all ads for his site. One of them was even a 'Hey I saw this cool site but want to know what you think about it' type post where he was talking about his own site.

My first thought was just to ban the user for life and move on, but I thought that maybe I was being to harsh.

Anyone have an opinion on something like this?

Mike

Howdy mike,
That is called Stealth Advertisement.This is a new phenomenon and one time it was discussed on TV.They showed various techniques of Stealth Advertisement.As far as I am concerned it is wrong.As a owner of this site u have every reason to be concerned about it and u should impose a penalty.
Vagabond

 

[davesyrja]

I have a question that I would like an opinion on.

There was recently a post to the forums advertising a service that a small billiards site was offering. I am usually pretty easy going about people coming on and advertising what they are doing as long as they contribute to the conversation.

I did a little research and this person had posted 3 times and they were all ads for his site. One of them was even a 'Hey I saw this cool site but want to know what you think about it' type post where he was talking about his own site.

My first thought was just to ban the user for life and move on, but I thought that maybe I was being to harsh.

Anyone have an opinion on something like this?

Mike

Mike,

I guess that I'm one of the offenders. I'm not a prolific poster, but I do participate in the discussions, and every once in awhile I mention my products if I'm looking for Beta testers, have a new revision to an existing product, or am releasing a new product. I try to balance the stuff I have for sale on my site with a lot of FREE stuff for anyone who gets there. There is little or no possibility that it will ever turn a profit or even pay 1/2 minimum wage.

Here is an example: My Pool Tournament Manager took me over two years to put together and another year of changes, modifications, and testing. I made it available for free for 4 years. There were some 2,000 downloads of the product. Since the activation expired, I've had less than 100 people actually buy the activation at $50. There are a great number of people using a "work-around" so they do not have to pay the activation fee. That happens. Not a great return for all that work specially when you deduct the cost of the software developers kit, equipment, etc.

Why do I do this, you might ask? I'm retired and writing this stuff keeps my hand in and my brain active AND I'm conceited enough to think the stuff that I make available is useful to a lot of players and administrators.

Without the kind indulgence of sites like AZbilliards, no one would know I exist cause advertising fees just aren't in the budget. It is a low volume business.

Anyway, I have been limiting any plugs for my product to the tournament announcement section as they are basically aimed at tournament administration.

I would like to continue to do as I've been doing; however, if my announcements are found offensive, I will cease making them.

 

[Cue Crazy]

That's my opinion right there.

No Dought, straight up spam is not acceptable, If that goes on, every tom dick, and harry will do It. LOL, If it's turn out anything like my email address does. between spam, and all my long posts this new server speed will be fried in no time. I like the speed It's running at now. Good work on that by the way Mike. running like a champ