Query re: Adverts

Hey, just have a question. I know the policy about if you want to advertise something, you should pay for it (ala the adverts) but would I be allowed to post in some of the fora in Education about a website I'll be creating giving students and prospective students information about grants? It would be a private run website, with no income being generated at all from it, just information being given out.

Thanks,

Dónal

koneko

Educational or informational sites are usually fine afaik, it's the companies (commercial) that blatantly try to advertise for free that get a slap on the wrists. If they want to use Boards.ie to make money, they should pay for their ads.

Talliesin

Ask the moderators of the forums in question. The default rule is adverts are bad, but if it's going to be useful to a forum's members then the moderator may allow it.

DeVore

What the previous posters have said. Commonsense and politeness and respect will general not lead you astray.

DeV.

Crash

Personally, I have no problem with it, and will personally talk to the other edu mods about it, as its a non profit website about helping students sort out grants. I'd also ask that mods/admins etc. go easy on it - we've all been students, the site isnt making any cash, and the only idea behind it is to educate students on how to go about getting a grant.

so hopefully all will go grand

ecksor

I received a PM earlier this evening about this site from Gandalf. As I posted on a similar issue elsewhere recently, if a post is something that is of definite use to the users of a forum rather than being a profiteering example of something that anyone could find within 10 minutes of googling then it definitely has to be considered as potentially relevant on a forum. If it's non-profit then I can't see a problem. I think (hope) on boards that most users will quickly point out if something is out of order anyway. I say go for it (and to be perfectly honest I'll probably be seeing if I can apply for a grant in a while).

WhiteWashMan

ecksor wrote:

I received a PM earlier this evening about this site from Gandalf. As I posted on a similar issue elsewhere recently, if a post is something that is of definite use to the users of a forum rather than being a profiteering example of something that anyone could find within 10 minutes of googling then it definitely has to be considered as potentially relevant on a forum. If it's non-profit then I can't see a problem. I think (hope) on boards that most users will quickly point out if something is out of order anyway. I say go for it (and to be perfectly honest I'll probably be seeing if I can apply for a grant in a while).

absolutely.
i think the work forum was one of the first forums that had this sort of issue a few years ago, but it has obviously spread to all parts of the site now.

our ruling was always that there was no problem linking or discussing items that are on topic, useful and informative, and of course, there was no financial gain.

however, when people start introducing a cost into something, then there starts to be an issue.

if its just a blatant advertising, then it will just be deleted straight off.

i think theres an interesting item on one of the BIz cat forums right now around accountancy software, and there are several links to several products. i have left them all there for the simple reason that someone is looking for a specific type of product for a restaurant set-up., and has mentioned a number of specific packages that can be used.
a lot of the info there does link to accountancy software that willl involve a cost, however it is backed up with pros and cons and a discussion around that. which is all good. its the value the community brings to itself, rather than someone just popping up and saying 'we rock, buy us at (insert link here)'.


with regards the orginal query on grant information etc, then i see no reason why something like that wouldnt be allowed.
at the end of the day, this site was set up by a community of people and was for the purpose of communicating (and abusing each other) and helping.
that spirit is still there, its just scrutinized more closely now.

usually oin the work forum, as i have it in the charter there, anyone who wants to advertise jobs etc will pm me or any other mod to ask if they can put up a position. we set out our rules and regulations, and they comply with that. and its fine.
as dev said, its all about taking a common sense approach, sharing information, and just making sure that the mods in charge of each forum know what youre about and why youre doing it.

usually there isnt a problem.

now, i must go and hug some fellow boards.ie members.

DeVore

ecksor wrote:

I received a PM earlier this evening about this site from Gandalf. As I posted on a similar issue elsewhere recently, if a post is something that is of definite use to the users of a forum rather than being a profiteering example of something that anyone could find within 10 minutes of googling then it definitely has to be considered as potentially relevant on a forum. If it's non-profit then I can't see a problem. I think (hope) on boards that most users will quickly point out if something is out of order anyway. I say go for it (and to be perfectly honest I'll probably be seeing if I can apply for a grant in a while).

yeah that pretty much sums up my pov.

Like the Judge in the US said about Porn "I cant define it but I know it when I see it", thats kinda how I feel about spam. This seems useful and we are here to assist the users.

DeV.

Gone West

I've stickied the thread in the university forum I mod.
I still would if he was making money off this, which he isn't.
Its an excellent site, as were the sites in his links to information about the grants. (They made me about 2,500 extra last year in grants that I wouldn't have known about otherwise:) thanks)

In fact, I was almost going to ask the admin to add it in as an announcement for users browsing the education and sub category forums. People, by large don't really know how much money they are entitled to for college education (even if most of it eventually gets spent on beer).

Hrm, I hadn't expected this thread to be bumped up.

Just in case people are confused by the sudden appearance of two google ads on the front page, it won't be heading into my back pocket. So while there is money being made, it will be shovelled into my mate who is currently giving me free hosting (which is great, but if I'm a burden it isn't really fair to be getting it free).

D.