[PUBBY]

Paulding.com defines unauthorized advertising in the signature area and avatar area of a member as unauthorized commercial messages - aka: spam.

Paulding.com will authorize political advertising in the form of banners or text messages supporting candidates or propositions IN MEMBERS SIGNATURES or in AVATARS ONLY when a candidates or supporters of a ballot initiative have obtained a commerce membership for the purpose of promoting their candidacy or proposition on the site.

As AVATARS and SIGNATURE AREAS are primarily used for advertising, messages supporting candidates who are not commerce members of the site will be removed by management and staff as SPAM.

This does not mean that candidates or propositions (that have not purchased a commerce membership) cannot be discussed in topics or posts. The members freedom to discuss and even publicly state their support in text columns is not impacted AT ALL by this rule provided those posts are in the proper forum and are 'on topic'. Off topic (Wild spamming) posts, regardless of the membership basis of the candidate (commerce/non-commerce) being promoted, will be treated as SPAM.

Rather, this rule pertains only to the use of the signature or avatar areas of your membership as off-topic comments have always been subject to removal.

This simply means that messages in members signatures expressing support for any candidate - state, local or national - must be on behalf of a candidate whose purchase of a commerce membership (license to advertise on the site) allows him/her or the committee in favor of a proposition, to organize the those members of the community to promote their proposition. Candidates and committees that have not purchased such a license are, by definition, spamming the board with unauthorized advertising if members include promotional material for inclusion in member signatures and avatars.

Abuse of the signature area and avatar area by members posting unauthorized material supporting non-paying or unauthorized campaigns will have the offending advertisements removed and will be warned. Subsequent efforts by a member to promote a candidate who is not authorized by a campaign committee or their personal commerce membership IN THE AVATAR OR SIGNATURE AREA will be treated as SPAM.

This rule is effective December 11, 2007

pubby

[Bumplett]

what 'chu talkin' bout pubby?

[LGM]

So I can't put 'Hitlery Rocks' or 'Obama is my homeboy' in my signature?

Sounds good to me.

[satellite]

You are honestly applying this to national candidates? I doubt Fred Thompson will be calling anytime soon for a commerce membership. Come on, that is a bit much. Local and state I can understand--but national? Dude.

[PUBBY]

You are honestly applying this to national candidates? I doubt Fred Thompson will be calling anytime soon for a commerce membership. Come on, that is a bit much. Local and state I can understand--but national? Dude.

I too doubt that Fred Thompson will be calling anytime soon but twenty good residents could kick in $5.00 each and form the Paulding County Fred Thompson for President committee and they could go about promoting Fred to their hearts content. Ditto Huckabee, Ron Paul, Hillary, Obama, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd.

I guess my problem Sat is that why should we treat national candidates as special and above the law. Do you think that president is above the law?

LGM has a point in that why should members be constantly bombarded by SPAM (unpaid) ads for any candidate. Further the AJC or New Era or Neighbor would not allow free ads for presidential candidates 'just because' so why should I?

You know as well as I that we have more discussion and debate on these issues than those other folks and that is not going to change. Remember that topics that discuss the various races are more than welcome and should give everyone the opportunity to talk up their favority candidate for any office provided the topic is in the proper forum.

What I will do to promote a broader discussion, is move the political forum to mandatory status (as opposed to optional) at least a week before each primary election.

But just because Fred or Hillery or Ralph Nader aren't likely to pay is no more a reason for me to allow them than it would be for me to allow Exxon or The Hartford Insurance Company to come on and post ads for their goods or services. Know that this is just trying to be consistent. Heck, I don't let commercial businesses post ads in their signatures without a commerce membership and this is just an extension of that established rule.

I also should point out that this ruling also expands the opportunity for commerce members to have regular members place ads in other member's signatures provided the number of images, etc. that appear do not violate the general signature size rule.

Finally, once the primaries are over, those with commerce memberships for political campaigns can 'throw their support' to other candidates in other races for a token administrative fee (assuming they can't make the change themselves without direct effort on my part.) meaning that by the time of the general election, all candidates should be able to comply just by gaining support from one of the losing primary candidates. (This is possible because a membership is good for a year).

The point is that members doesn't have the 'right' to promote non-commerce member businesses or non-commerce member candidates in their signatures.

pubby

[Lady Raider]

OO Ceejay is gonna have to drop Fred? ok I will let ya'll know when i see her roof come off LOL

If I wanted to put In Granny's Footsteps in my siggy I could?

[Happy Wife And Mom]

OO Ceejay is gonna have to drop Fred? ok I will let ya'll know when i see her roof come off LOL

I have signatures turned off, so I guess ignorance is bliss

[se1915]

I too doubt that Fred Thompson will be calling anytime soon but twenty good residents could kick in $5.00 each and form the Paulding County Fred Thompson for President committee and they could go about promoting Fred to their hearts content. Ditto Huckabee, Ron Paul, Hillary, Obama, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd.

I guess my problem Sat is that why should we treat national candidates as special and above the law. Do you think that president is above the law?

LGM has a point in that why should members be constantly bombarded by SPAM (unpaid) ads for any candidate. Further the AJC or New Era or Neighbor would not allow free ads for presidential candidates 'just because' so why should I?

You know as well as I that we have more discussion and debate on these issues than those other folks and that is not going to change. Remember that topics that discuss the various races are more than welcome and should give everyone the opportunity to talk up their favority candidate for any office provided the topic is in the proper forum.

What I will do to promote a broader discussion, is move the political forum to mandatory status (as opposed to optional) at least a week before each primary election.

But just because Fred or Hillery or Ralph Nader aren't likely to pay is no more a reason for me to allow them than it would be for me to allow Exxon or The Hartford Insurance Company to come on and post ads for their goods or services. Know that this is just trying to be consistent. Heck, I don't let commercial businesses post ads in their signatures without a commerce membership and this is just an extension of that established rule.

I also should point out that this ruling also expands the opportunity for commerce members to have regular members place ads in other member's signatures provided the number of images, etc. that appear do not violate the general signature size rule.

Finally, once the primaries are over, those with commerce memberships for political campaigns can 'throw their support' to other candidates in other races for a token administrative fee (assuming they can't make the change themselves without direct effort on my part.) meaning that by the time of the general election, all candidates should be able to comply just by gaining support from one of the losing primary candidates. (This is possible because a membership is good for a year).

The point is that members doesn't have the 'right' to promote non-commerce member businesses or non-commerce member candidates in their signatures.

pubby

That would be a total waste of money. The hype surrounding Thompson's candidacy died out with break-neck speed.

[NavyEagle#1]

It's all about free advertising on your signature and the fact that this a pay site run for and to make money.

It also gives free time to those that have not paid for it.

This is a site to make money.... it is a business.

So you can't place an advertisement in your sig and not expect to pay for it.

Advertisements are the cash cow for this to stay a highly profitable business.

Sorry I believe in the banners as the profit line and not a sig being a distraction etc.

I say just limit the sig lines then to words or similar.

This post has been edited by OldGoat99: 11 December 2007 - 10:03 AM

[PUBBY]

It's all about free advertising on your signature and the fact that this a pay site run for and to make money.

It also gives free time to those that have not paid for it.

This is a site to make money.... it is a business.

So you can't place an advertisement in your sig and not expect to pay for it.

Advertisements are the cash cow for this to stay a highly profitable business.

Sorry I believe in the banners as the profit line and not a sig being a distraction etc.

I say just limit the sig lines then to words or similar.

I take a little umbrage at 'highly profitable' ... I wish.

Regardless, sig lines and avatars can be used in the way that has been stated. Advertising any commercial venture that is not a commerce member is prohibited.

Yes, Lady Raider you could put a granny's footsteps banner in your sig. line. (provided it isn't larger than allowed for sigs). What few know is that soap mom could even offer you a bar of soap to do it .

pubby

[Madea]

Way too much to read. Can you just break it down for me in two sentences or less?

Yes, Lady Raider you could put a granny's footsteps banner in your sig. line. (provided it isn't larger than allowed for sigs). What few know is that soap mom could even offer you a bar of soap to do it .

pubby

Cool! I can be bought!

[Aunt Suger]

Does this include sports teams or just political/commercial ?

[~*Kim*~]

Can I keep my "Gotta have my Subway", thingy?

This post has been edited by ~*Kim*~: 11 December 2007 - 12:30 PM

[InterestinglyBoring]

Don't worry, I just advertise myself. And about how perfect I am!!

[Its MR Sarcastic To You]

Way too much to read. Can you just break it down for me in two sentences or less?

I agree, wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much blah, blah, blah in there.... Pubby needs some type of "Simple and To The Point Class"...

Let me summarize for you.....
Don't put any of your freakin political candidates on my site junkin it up unless they pay me for that honor! If you don't comply, expect a shot in da azz

(ETA, the shot in da azz part, missed dat in tha blah, blah, blah)

This post has been edited by Its MR Sarcastic To You: 11 December 2007 - 12:38 PM

[MotorCity MadMan]

Does this include sports teams or just political/commercial ?

Hey don't put Ideas in his head.

[MelissaGail]

Can I keep my "Gotta have my Subway", thingy?

I thought you were an Arbys girl now!

[~*Kim*~]

I thought you were an Arbys girl now!

Mmmmm... A..R..B..Y..'s.........

ETA: Sorry Pubby for the Hi-Jack.

This post has been edited by ~*Kim*~: 11 December 2007 - 12:48 PM

[NC-17]

What if I wanted to put, "I love Miracle Bras" in my siggy, would you go after Victoria's Secret for some cash?

[Dogz~n~Katz]

I take a little umbrage at 'highly profitable' ... I wish.

Regardless, sig lines and avatars can be used in the way that has been stated. Advertising any commercial venture that is not a commerce member is prohibited.

Yes, Lady Raider you could put a granny's footsteps banner in your sig. line. (provided it isn't larger than allowed for sigs). What few know is that soap mom could even offer you a bar of soap to do it .

pubby

Now it's all clear, Anonymoose must be paying big to get his name advertised in everyone's siggy's. LOL (kidding)

[Madea]

I agree, wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much blah, blah, blah in there.... Pubby needs some type of "Simple and To The Point Class"...

Let me summarize for you.....
Don't put any of your freakin political candidates on my site junkin it up unless they pay me for that honor! If you don't comply, expect a shot in da azz

(ETA, the shot in da azz part, missed dat in tha blah, blah, blah)

Thanks for the breakdown. See, that's to the point. You know, I used to work with a very nice man who was a former AJC writer. He said that newspaper articles were typically written on an 8th grade level to make them easy for all to understand. I guess Pubby's newspaper didn't have that theory. I'm just sayin'.

[CeeJay]

OO Ceejay is gonna have to drop Fred? ok I will let ya'll know when i see her roof come off LOL

CeeJay is not completely surprised by this news. While she is not sure the motives are as pure as stated, she will comply with the new rules as a law-abiding citizen should.

CeeJay is also seriously considering the option of purchasing Fred a commerce membership to help Fred spread the word. Anyone else interested?

CeeJay is glad it is still free to VOTE in America.

[Lady Raider]

ok... so I can rent my siggy out for free gifts LOL

sooooo who wants to be put in my siggy?

[Vicki Vale]

Way too much to read. Can you just break it down for me in two sentences or less?


Cool! I can be bought!

The cat just tops your new signature off...

[PUBBY]

First, regarding the clarity of the rule; consider that folks 'get it' and ask pertinent questions like whether sports clubs are included' I have to say I write better rules than does the General Assembly. (try reading some of that crap.)

Second, when one writes rules, they do try to parse the language with some precision. Hence stuff like "I shoot you in the butt' seems crass and undignified, which would be appropriate if the rule were crass and undignified.

I do suspect that commerce members may compete for the limited space available in signatures of posters like Lady Raider. Notably, commerce members may find the presence of posters with high posting rates and no-memberships worthwhile sponsoring for a membership.

Certainly, my presumption was that there would be little change in the way folks did their signatures. Logos for sports teams such as the Falcons, Braves or EPHS Raiders, provided they make no offer for sale of tickets or link to a site that does would be fine as is.

As we do have local restaurants that do advertise, I think that since you pointed it out, the subway logo should be removed. Probably wouldn't have noticed it had you not brought it up.

Do know that it may take a month or more to clean things up.

BTW: I do sense an interest in the new opportunities presented but commerce members have always had this option. That they haven't suggests that folks shouldn't be too expectant that this will become commercial land galore.

I do have a concern that some members will seek to game the system by making inane posts just to present, for the betterment of their sponsor, inane, idiotic or otherwise non-substantive, non-topical posts. I.e. there is a hot topic on a murder and someone comes in and posts, Great deals on hotdogs with a logo for the hotdog king. That kind of crass spamming is forbidden and appropriate action will be taken.

pubby

[Lady Raider]

quote Pubby:

I do suspect that commerce members may compete for the limited space available in signatures of posters like Lady Raider. Notably, commerce members may find the presence of posters with high posting rates and no-memberships worthwhile sponsoring for a membership.


Hey I am all for advertising someone in my siggy..

I actually think that is a great idea,

so come one come all.. what cha got to offer LOL

[Madea]

ok... so I can rent my siggy out for free gifts LOL

sooooo who wants to be put in my siggy?

I'm advertising!

The cat just tops your new signature off...

First, regarding the clarity of the rule; consider that folks 'get it' and ask pertinent questions like whether sports clubs are included' I have to say I write better rules than does the General Assembly. (try reading some of that crap.)

Actually, I do, quite frequently.

[~*Kim*~]

First, regarding the clarity of the rule; consider that folks 'get it' and ask pertinent questions like whether sports clubs are included' I have to say I write better rules than does the General Assembly. (try reading some of that crap.)

Second, when one writes rules, they do try to parse the language with some precision. Hence stuff like "I shoot you in the butt' seems crass and undignified, which would be appropriate if the rule were crass and undignified.

I do suspect that commerce members may compete for the limited space available in signatures of posters like Lady Raider. Notably, commerce members may find the presence of posters with high posting rates and no-memberships worthwhile sponsoring for a membership.

Certainly, my presumption was that there would be little change in the way folks did their signatures. Logos for sports teams such as the Falcons, Braves or EPHS Raiders, provided they make no offer for sale of tickets or link to a site that does would be fine as is.

As we do have local restaurants that do advertise, I think that since you pointed it out, the subway logo should be removed. Probably wouldn't have noticed it had you not brought it up.
Do know that it may take a month or more to clean things up.

BTW: I do sense an interest in the new opportunities presented but commerce members have always had this option. That they haven't suggests that folks shouldn't be too expectant that this will become commercial land galore.

I do have a concern that some members will seek to game the system by making inane posts just to present, for the betterment of their sponsor, inane, idiotic or otherwise non-substantive, non-topical posts. I.e. there is a hot topic on a murder and someone comes in and posts, Great deals on hotdogs with a logo for the hotdog king. That kind of crass spamming is forbidden and appropriate action will be taken.

pubby

Pubby, I think that is too much. I am in no way advertising subway. Now if it said "Eat fresh at subway", then I could understand, but it dont. It is just simply stating that I gotta have my subway.

[PUBBY]

Pubby, I think that is too much. I am in no way advertising subway. Now if it said "Eat fresh at subway", then I could understand, but it dont. It is just simply stating that I gotta have my subway.

Since you've got to know the folk at subway pretty well ... you sound like a great customer ... you need to talk to them and find out who does the advertising and why they need to (so you can keep your signature). Heck, write the national headquarters telling them how mean I am and how far you'd go to keep your subway sig on pcom.

pubby