For being a "noob," you sure hit the nail on the head, IMO.
I look forward to your unbiased and honest opinion and review of VEPP, even if it isn't flattering.
I think one issue you haven't mentioned is that quite a few people, even some non-CTE people, don't like it when I link to online instructional resources on my main "Illustrated Principles" website. They claim this is spamming. Obviously, I strongly disagree. Anyone who has visited my educational website (billiards.colostate.edu) knows that "spam" is not a very accurate description. The links I provide are always pertinent to the topic being discussed and usually directly answer most of the questions being asked. These instructional resources (videos, articles, illustrations, summaries, etc.) sometimes have links to my commercial website (dr-dave-billiards.com), but only when I have a instructional product that offers strong support and additional resources for the particular topic.
I think most people think the links I provide to online resources (from me and others) are appropriate and add value to the AZB threads. Obviously some people disagree, especially the "CTE people." As I've said many times: If they don't like the links and supporting resources, then they shouldn't click on the links. I'm sure many other people appreciate these links. I certainly appreciate it when other people provide links to free and useful online resources.
Regards,
Dave
Sorry, Dr. Dave, but it was a nice try.
Let's get the facts straight. Those of us that have an issue with your linking, do not have those issues because we perceive it as "spam." Rather, the following are the reasons:
1. Your obsessive-compulsive nature to link multiple times, not only in the same post, but in the same paragraph, and even in a single sentence(!) to very same resource page on your website. I mean, really, Dr. Dave -- is it really necessary to
link every
other word to the
same page because
you are trying to
catch the user's mouse pointer as
fast as it
moves over the
words on the
screen?
2. Instead of adding value to the AZB forums by clearly inserting the information into your forum posts (with attribution [and a link] to your site, if you want), you are instead siphoning users away from the AZB forums. In effect, you are directing traffic to your website at the expense of that user's experience here on AZB. What you are doing is, in essence, saying to the user "you won't find the answer here on your favorite website AZB -- instead you should come hither to my site to find the answer you're looking for." That's pretty parasitic, wouldn't you agree?
It wouldn't be so bad if you just inserted a quick blurb that gives the user a taste for the information that answers their question, and ask them to refer to your website (via a link) to get more detailed info. Instead, you just lock-stock-and-barrel say, "click here" and "click here" and "click here" and... oh yes, I guess all of those point to the same resource page, don't they?
Yes, we know your "resource pages" are free, and that you're not advertising a commercial product, unless it's the VEPS and VEPPS products. You're not known to go into other people's threads advertising those commercial products at every turn, unlike a couple of abusers who will not be named. We realize when you link, it's to a free information resource site. That's not the issue. It's the obsessive-compulsive linking to those resource pages as the sole answer to people's questions.
It's not spam, but it is a gross misuse of the linking concept. You've been HTMLing for a while, now, Dr. Dave. Please, get up to speed on HTML best practices (e.g. RFCs, IETF documents, etc.). I can point you to some, if you like?
Now, having said all that, did you happen to catch my earlier post where I commended you for all the good will you've "socked into the bank" here on AZB, and that you should be allowed some leniency with product advertisements, because you clearly are a
contributing member, and not somebody out to get a free blood meal from every poster?
Respectfully,
-Sean
) into chopping some veggies and making stuffing, so I'll be offline much of today anyway.
