Links to other Photog. forum sites ok?

[N/A]

Hi.
I'm new here and would like to know if the rules allow posting links to other photography message board sites? I haven't been able to find any rules about doing that.
Thanks. :?:

[sapearl]

I can't recall seeing anything in the rules against it - people are always posting interesting and helpful links so I don't think that should be an issue. Welcome to the forum N/A - hope you enjoy your stays :D. - Stu

[tommykjensen]

One thing that is not allowed is fishing for members for own forums.

Posting a relevant link to a specific topic to answer a specific question is fine.

[N/A]

Thanks Stu & Tommy.
I was just going to post a link to an S3 IS-specific site/forum for another newbie here who mentioned that he just purchased an S3.
So is it OK to post that url for him?

[Pete]

I'd imagine that a single PM to that single member would be ok. But PM'ing all members of the S3 section would be a big no-no.

[N/A]

I'd imagine that a single PM to that single member would be ok. But PM'ing all members of the S3 section would be a big no-no.

Well, it was just that one person that I thought I'd help out, but it sounds a little "iffy", so I'll probably just scrap the idea.

[Picture North Carolina]

One thing that is not allowed is fishing for members for own forums.

Posting a relevant link to a specific topic to answer a specific question is fine.

Please clarify.

Posting a link to another competing forum, but directly to a specific post about a subject / question is ok, but posting a link to the main page of a competing forum is not?

Thanks.

[tommykjensen]

Please clarify.

Posting a link to another competing forum, but directly to a specific post about a subject / question is ok, but posting a link to the main page of a competing forum is not?

Thanks.

I said own forum. Big difference. It is a big nono to post a link to your own forum on other forums in order to get new members.

[Picture North Carolina]

I said own forum. Big difference. It is a big nono to post a link to your own forum on other forums in order to get new members.

Sorry to split hairs with you, Tommy, but you said "...fishing for members for own forums..." which to me is a definite qualifier and quite different from posting a simple link without comment or solicitation.

[tommykjensen]

Sorry to split hairs with you, Tommy, but you said "...fishing for members for own forums..." which to me is a definite qualifier and quite different from posting a simple link without comment or solicitation.

Sigh..... If you post a link to front page on your OWN forum it cannot in my mind be interpreted in any other way than fishing for members. And that is what I am talking about.

[Jon]

Please clarify.

Posting a link to another competing forum, but directly to a specific post about a subject / question is ok, but posting a link to the main page of a competing forum is not?

Thanks.
Posting a link that provides an explicit answer to a question that has been asked is OK. Posting a "Here's a site that you really want to check out", when that site's in direct competition with the site you're posting on isn't OK with any forum I know of. And no, that doesn't mean that you can get a friend to ask "Are there any other forums that talk about _____?" so you can post your link, or post a link to your photo gallery when the front page of that gallery has a big promo for another forum. Clear?

[Picture North Carolina]

Posting a link that provides an explicit answer to a question that has been asked is OK. Posting a "Here's a site that you really want to check out", when that site's in direct competition with the site you're posting on isn't OK with any forum I know of. And no, that doesn't mean that you can get a friend to ask "Are there any other forums that talk about _____?" so you can post your link, or post a link to your photo gallery when the front page of that gallery has a big promo for another forum. Clear?

Yes, SIR! Clear!!

Actually, I think we've been talking about two different things here, an assumption on my part that was poorly communicated.

All along when talking about unsolicited links to competing sights, I have been thinking about links contained in signatures, not the title or body of posts. In other words, as a "signature link" somebody simply posting the domain link. As to the example you gave (in the context of a post, not signature) I would agree. But then that's a no-brainer because that is an obvious solicitation.

[Jon]

Sigh . . . .

No, we don't appreciate links to other forums in signatures either. Nor do other forums. Simply put: If a specific question can best be answered by a link to a specific thread or post at another forum, fine. If a link is presented strictly to draw attention or traffic to another forum, and not in response to a specific question as stated above, it's not fine. Doesn't matter whether it's in the body of the post or in the signature. Note: a forum is not the same as your gallery of photos.

[sapearl]

Thank you Jon - appreciate the clarification. I always wondered about that.

....... Note: a forum is not the same as your gallery of photos.