How are we going to continue with the new linking policy?

[Breeder]

Since we can't link to our blogs via sig line (even if they are completely not for profit), and we can't put links to our blogs in posts beginning in July, is this forum going to continue?

And if so: how?

It seems like links are a pretty big chunk of the Writing for the Web forum.

Any chance of amnesty for this one little corner?

Thoughts anyone?

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by Breeder

Since we can't link to our blogs via sig line (even if they are completely not for profit), and we can't put links to our blogs in posts beginning in July, is this forum going to continue?

And if so: how?

It seems like links are a pretty big chunk of the Writing for the Web forum.

Any chance of amnesty for this one little corner?

Thoughts anyone?

I don't know if I'm allowed to say this out loud, but one idea is to transfer to a private board. Which would totally suck. Years ago when an AP group split from ivillage boards, we started a private board on one of the platforms available for free. It was something like studio 54? or proboards?

Would be great if this board was granted an exemption of some kind.

[MoonWillow]

There is a thread going in Q&S where Abimommy is gathering feedback. Its closed for the evening but she will reopen tomorrow.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1102037

[pear-shaped]

If they don't work out something for this forum, it's just heartbreaking. I haven't posted very much here, just because my time at the computer is limited, usually while I'm breastfeeding or holding my sleeping dd. But I do read most of the threads, and I have gained so much from them, including the confidence to take my blog more seriously. I am so grateful to posters of this forum for that.

I don't want to lose this forum! I hope they allow for an exception, because like pp, I'm not sure how it could survive under the new rules.

[fullofgrace]

FWIW, how we are supposed to be sending reminders now is via the 'reminder/alert' system. It's an administrative thing. Reminders = 0 points and work as a PM. The reason they goes in the CP is so they are automatically copied for each member's own reference (we each can only see our own alert tab).

Originally Posted by MoonWillow

There is a thread going in Q&S where Abimommy is gathering feedback. Its closed for the evening but she will reopen tomorrow.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1102037

Technically any questions, concerns, etc. about the new policy have to go in that thread -- which has also made me need to remove some posts from this thread.

HOWEVER, if we can keep this thread to brainstorming ideas, I would love to chat about it with all of you. I'm checking on that now.

[fullofgrace]

Oh -- we CAN make a list of resources on the web. I'm happy to take links via PM and start a post in the sticky at the top of the forum.

[fullofgrace]

I had a question that I thought I'd also answer here --

Yes, links cannot be placed in signatures (unless a sig package is purchased -- you can see who has one when you see a red A box under a user name), but links can still be posted in threads within reason (basically as long as it isn't an ongoing "hey - go read my blog! look - go read my articles!" type deal). We would still prefer you post your content here. If it is not our own content, then of course we have to link versus post.

Linking for the purpose of assistance with tech questions, etc, is fine. I can also place links when we do our 'Critique My Blog' threads. I think we've all done a good job in here of keeping things in check. I have not seen our forum having a huge issue with overly promotional posts.

One easy way to have people find your blog is to place it into your homepage section in your UserCP-->Edit Your Details-->Home Page URL. We can then see your link two ways. I'll use me as an example. Click my username. A dropdown box will appear. To go straight to my link, click Visit onetruething's homepage! Or, you can go to my profile page by clicking View Public Profile, and clicking the About Me tab.

I'll be re-opening this if/when I get the go ahead.

[fullofgrace]

I've found some blogging icons and shrunk them so they can maybe be used as smilies for our signatures. And am also discussing how we can indicate for members to check out our profiles while still abiding by the UA and sig rules. Stay tuned.

[fullofgrace]

OK I am re-opening.

Originally Posted by onetruething

HOWEVER, if we can keep this thread to brainstorming ideas, I would love to chat about it with all of you.

Pretty please with sugar on top. :

This means no critiques, no questions, no referring to previous issues, no discussing the new rules etc etc. All of that has to go in a PM to the admin, georgia. In here we have to stay focused on this forum and what we want to do in this forum in the future.

Thanks!

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by onetruething

I've found some blogging icons and shrunk them so they can maybe be used as smilies for our signatures. And am also discussing how we can indicate for members to check out our profiles while still abiding by the UA and sig rules. Stay tuned.

I'm a member of a writing board which doesn't use a standard interface, and there are no links in siggies, as there are no siggies, but everyone has a "bio." So everyone is used to checking each other's bios.

However, in a year of being a reasonably active member of the writing board, I had maybe 2 or 3 clicks to my blog, while I had dozens over dozens from mdc.

So in a way, members will get used to checking profiles, and having an icon in the signature is an awesome idea.

[eastkygal]

I agree. The icons will be helpful, so that it is known we have a blog, and eventually folks will get used to looking at profiles for more info.

As for what we can use this board for... I just posted some of my material from my blog for opinions. It was short enough to post. The only difference might be in critiquing someone's blog spontaneously, but I don't see much of that other than "check out my new design" or something like that.

[Talula Fairie]

....

[Breeder]

Thank you so much for all the work you've done to keep this forum alive onetruething!:

I really hope everyone gets used to using the drop down box. I love the idea of a icon to indicate that we are a blogger.

I am really really trying to be positive about the change now.

[fullofgrace]

Thank YOU. That made me feel good on a morning where I need it.

And you're welcome!! I'm happy to do it. I really think we're going to be able to come up with a good way to make this work for us. Keep the ideas coming! The more I have to present to admin the better, imo.

abimommy is also making some smilies in addition to the icons I made that we could use. She and I thought a poll to vote for the favorite 1 or 2 might be good. I'll post a big HEY GO VOTE!! in here when that's up.

[katiesk]

She and I thought a poll to vote for the favorite 1 or 2 might be good. I'll post a big HEY GO VOTE!! in here when that's up.

thats a great idea! i'm excited to see the options!