Qui Gon has raised questions about "advertising" in message 980032 in thread 59138.

Since his post is, and any replies there would be. off topic I have created this thread to continue the discussion (if he or anybody else wishes.) Mods are welcome to move other posts to this thread if they feel that is appropriate.

Gee, does no one have a rebuttal regarding this being an advertisement

I just wonder why you have waited until now to try to stamp out advertising on seti@home. If you seriously think the thread mentioned above is "advertising" (which I don't believe for a moment) then why have you not started long ago on other similar postings, such as:

• mentions of cameras used to take photographs (clearly advertising because these products or similar from the same manufacturer are for sale and the manufacturer benefits financially from any reference to them)
  
• explanations to newcomers about how to upload photographs to image hosting sites (which are run commercially and thus benefit financially from any exposure)
  
• embedded images hosted by commercial servers (which potentially benefit from increased exposure as a result of each link)
  
• links to or mentions of any commercial service such as Google, MSN, youtube, the BBC (whose international service carries advertisements), CNN
  
• any mention of a film, such as the thread about Avatar - films are some of the largest industrial products of all time and any mention can't help but be an advertisement
  
• any discussion about particular makes of computer, since these like cameras are for sale and the manufacturer benefits from the exposure
  
• any mention of computer software not available under a "free" licence
  
• and so on...
  

Clearly "somebody or some organisation other than us will benefit in some way related to money from this post" is not in itself a sufficient criterion for calling a post or thread an advertisement.

(Here is a general discussion with no reference to specific moderator actions - please keep replies general too.)

I've just looked through the posting rules and the more information link and there is in fact no mention of advertising. Nevertheless, there is a clear convention that commercial posts are not allowed. The criteria which are relevant include:

• was the thread or post created mainly as an excuse to expose the product or service mentioned to a wider audience?
  
• does it appear that the poster himself is a major or sole beneficiary (particularly financial) of the exposure?
  
• is there a request or direct encouragement for forum members to part with money?
  

As examples, the first two of these are relevant when somebody tries to mention their own new website. The third would be relevant if someone says "please support this or that charity financially".

The above in relation to the original thread:

• The motivation seems to be friendship and helping to kickstart a young persons career - immediate financial advantage is no doubt welcome but incidental.
  
• There has been no prominent mention of the company providing the service (any more than there is with youtube links for example.)
  
• Nobody has been asked to part with money.
  

Over to you :)

advertising

1. The activity of attracting public attention to a product or business, as by paid announcements in the print, broadcast, or electronic media.
2. The business of designing and writing advertisements.
3. Advertisements considered as a group: This paper takes no advertising.
4. Description or presentation of a product, idea, or organization, in order to induce individuals to buy, support, or approve of it.

advertisement

1. The act or process of advertising.
2. A notice, such as a poster or a paid announcement in the print, broadcast, or electronic media, designed to attract public attention or patronage.
3. a public notice or announcement, usually paid for, as of things for sale, needs, etc.

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me@rescam.org

Qui-Gon has been recently active in the forum and has had plenty of time to respond here if he so wished.

Since the thread I referred to is now closed (in fact while I was writing the original post,) further discussion, likely to use it as an example, will probably be counterproductive.

Mods please close this thread.