Mixed messages re promotion of products

[Rocker]

I have today been criticized for referring to my website which promotes a product. Yet the forum encourages members to post about their blogs and websites, and, when I did so, a Forum administrator was kind enough to be complimentary about it, and gave no hint that it was in contravention of Forum rules to mention it in a post. It seems that some members feel that any mention of a site that sells a product breaks the rules and is a shameful act.

Obviously, many members who have websites have them to promote a product. Are they then supposed to conceal the fact that they have a website? Or is it OK to mention the site, so long as it is not done in a way that is likely to annoy the average member, who might well be interested in the information, so long as it is not continually thrust down their throat?

Rocker

[greg mann]

Rocker,

I read your zigzag chair post with great interest and never once felt you had posted with any financial motives. All your points in this post sure seem to be accurate to me and I suspect you should take satisfaction from all the positive responses you received regarding the chair. Post on.

[Jim Dailey]

Rocker,

I'm not sure what would offend the "average" woodworker...  but it certainly didn't offend me.

I was glad to see you up dated your plans to use the Domi.  Some where lost in the bits n bite's of this computer was information about your chairs via the site from OZ....  So your new information was  welcome.

I for one am very glad to see you posting on the FOG!!! 

Welcome from a "not so average woodworker",
jim

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
Just to be clear, we have a special area called the "Dealer Zone" which is designated for people with a retail perspective, those who sell Festool tools.  Rules posted about promotional materials refer to Dealers, not individual members.

When it comes to individual Web sites, I am pretty confident about leaving it to member discretion.  I definitely want to encourage people like Rocker to post their Web sites.  This gives us a glimpse of interesting techniques, project ideas, and also shows us some creative ways to use Festool tools.

Generally, I trust members' judgment about controlling sales pitches.

Hope that helps clarify things a bit.

Matthew

[Llap Goch]

David
Excellent stuff. Thank you. So good that I have ordered a copy of Woodcraft magazine from a chum in the States. As you are well aware, top shelf magazines are not allowed in this God-fearing part of the Principality.

Keep posting. I am never offended at free stuff or links to a Holzmeister and nor is the Lad.

Pat

[Rocker]

I was so stunned by the harsh criticism that one member made of my post on my rocking chair, that I immediately deleted the reference in it to the CD that I sell on my website. In view of what Matthew has written above, it seems that I need not have done so. However, I understand that members should not be subjected to repeated sales pitches, so I will not mention it again.

David
Excellent stuff. Thank you. So good that I have ordered a copy of Woodcraft magazine from a chum in the States. As you are well aware, top shelf magazines are not allowed in this God-fearing part of the Principality.

Keep posting. I am never offended at free stuff or links to a Holzmeister and nor is the Lad.

Pat

Pat/Llap Goch (Is that the sound that a Welsh rotweiler makes as it consumes a pigeon?),

I had no idea that, in writing for Woodcraft, I had joined the ranks of the pornographers, but perhaps you are right. Two of the men who were standing on my chair in that picture were wearing shorts, and it was taken well after Labor Day. That is an offence that could well get you thrown into jail in the more conservative parts of the US

Rocker

[Llap Goch]

Pat/Llap Goch (Is that the sound that a Welsh rotweiler makes as it consumes a pigeon?),



 T'is the very sound (as he clears his throat of Speckled Jim).

[Dan Clark]

Rocker,

Hi.  Since there seemed to be some concern about your blog, I decided to mosey over there and take a look...

Wow!   You have some very nice stuff there!    I especially liked the hall table.  Quite graceful.  Thanks for posting the well-written, free pdf describing how you built it.   

Also, thank you for being sensitive the needs of the other members here.   Removing the mention of your CD is a mark of character.   Please keep posting to your blog and here on FOG. 

Best regards,

Dan.

[Jim Marsh]

Rocker, I saw the reference you speak about and did not understand it myself. I thought what you said and offered was in good taste and hope you will continue.