I don't consider it a personal attack and I don't mind explaining myself...even thought I really don't feel the "need" to do so.
First ...I have also read the policy as it is written.....and can provide access to it. It does state "do not post links to websites"...that is absolutely true.
However...I don't feel there is a problem with the link I posted which contains info and pictures pertaining to my personal aquarium...and a few select pics I have saved from other locations. It is my personal opinion that admin established the "links" policy as a means of preventing violations(often times repeat violations) of providing direct access to on-line sites that "sell" hobby related merchandise. Admin provides these forums free of charge to us and does not want traffic directed towards other on-line sites ... at least that is how I understand the intent of this sites policys. It is also my understanding that posting pics via the
http:// method is perfectly acceptable. In addition I have asked admin directly if there was a problem with this link being posted...
New Mexico Reef
...the response was basically that they had no problem with that particular link. My personal belief...and the basis for my comments about the link posted by phillyfish...is simply that phillyfish has a link on his/her site that when clicked will bring you directly to a on-line hobby related vendor. It is my understanding that those sorts of access to on-line vendors or sources of merchandise that is hobby related is not allowed here. If posting a link to my personal website is a violation then at the request of admin I will not post access to it...but I will continue to edit/delete any links that have access to hobby related on-line vendors. I have sites saved and have posted them here from time to time that contain excellant information and experience on a wide varity of subjects. I have no problem with posting a
http:// to access them...but none of them have a connection to any on-line vendor.There are numerous other sites that I would like to post access to...but they have links to on-line hobby related vendors and that is definitely prohibited. So I don't post access to them.
Bottom line is I may be violating policy...but its my personal understanding that using
http:// to post remotely saved pics...and
http:// which provides access to personal websites with absolutely no links to sites in competion with the host here are acceptable.Links with info/descriptions/experience but absolutely no links to on-line vendors may also be allowed.
Basically tome it comes down to courtisy and common sense. The business side of SWF.com provides these forums for free public access...and it would be very rude to use this forum to direct visitors to other sites that may offer the same products and service as the host here. I may be blind...and I may be old...and like I said ...I may be dead wrong...but to me its just not right to provide links to on-line vendors. There was a time when I first registered here that the bottom line absolutely "was" zero links of any kind. In time admin did lighten that strict position and allowed limited links...but...and this is very critical...members took serious advantage of the change in policy. As a result of numerous problems with members providing links to on-line vendors admin once again felt the need to seriously restrict allowable links. I may be dead wrong in providing access to my site...and I may be wrong in saying
http:// links to pics are fine...but I do know this....if my two "allowable" links are acceptable...and members continue to provide access to on-line vendors...then admin "will" absolutely prohibit "any" links of "any" kind.
Now ask yourself...do we really want absolutely zero links? Also ask yourself...is it too much to ask to simply "not" provide links to on-line vendors...and possibly if there are no violations of links and if members respect the position of the owner of this site then maybe...just possibly...we that have no intent to provide direct access to other on-line vendors ...may possibly be allowed to link some sources of photographs and information.
Wow...thats sayin' a lot for me...but since it became a issue I thought I'd stick "MY" neck out and explain "MY" position.
...and yup my position may me wrong...but as mentioned I have discussed linkage of my site with admin and I have been assured that they have never had a problem with my personal website. At the same time I am totally confident that the link provided on phillyfish's personal website are a violation of this sites policy ... and whenever I come across links of that nature I will continue to edit them out and will politely mention that they are not allowed.
Whewwww...now I'm done....:nervous:
-ali
