ACL - Commerical Free?

multicast

Senior elf
Joined
Jul 13, 2013
Messages
715
I'd like to propose to the wider community that the ACL forum be made Commerical Free. That means its not used to promote individual companys / individuals products or services..

When money and hobby / fun get mixed together the consequences are bad, and it results in good people getting "#@%@#%" off.

It may seem dramatic, but i belive in the long term it is the only sustainable model.
 

BundyRoy

Dedicated elf
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Messages
1,026
There are some commercial things on here that are I feel are of value and if it wasn't for this forum I probably wouldn't know about. An example (and not picking on anybody, just one that comes to mind) is the release of the new pixlite 16 controller. Discrete post saying its available, no more other than answer peoples direct questions. Useful information for me to know and also be able to look up for future reference.

Other examples are xlights releases (I know it's free). Good to know.

It is also good to have these suppliers answer questions on the forum. This helps me and hopefully them by having a question answered here for people with the same issue to look up.

Generally the people with vested interests have a lot of technical knowledge to share if they are willing. I'm sure there is a point when too much commercialism is a bad thing but I'm not sure if we are there yet or how to manage it. There has to be a happy medium somewhere between an absolute ban on people mentioning their products and being constantly inundated with advertising spam.

I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean by bad consequences leading to people leaving. Do you mean one vendor feeling that someone else is allowed to promote their products more.
 

scamper

Dedicated elf
Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
1,225
Location
collie
I also believe that the way it is now is fine.
I am not on the receiving side of any bad %$#$ so am not sure what brought this about.
I have read many posts from people that do supply stuff on here and must say they all seem very fair.
Meaning they may promote their products, but also give fair promotion to other peoples product at the same time.
I for one am extremely happy that we don't have to suffer banner adds and the like as you do on some other forums.
 

SmartAlecLights

Im a SmartAlec what can i say!
Community project designer
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
1,533
Location
Murray Bridge, S.A.
multicast said:
I'd like to propose to the wider community that the ACL forum be made Commerical Free. That means its not used to promote individual companys / individuals products or services..

When money and hobby / fun get mixed together the consequences are bad, and it results in good people getting "#@%@#%" off.

It may seem dramatic, but i belive in the long term it is the only sustainable model.

So your saying Scrap all vendors cause a vendor left.

To become a vendor here at ACL aint easy, as the questions that get asked can be more probing than a bank loan.
all mods an admin are involved (irrespective of what other title they might hold outside of ACL)
I believe ACL has Tough but fair rules to Vendors (sales of company products or ones own items)
Cause like i got informed 'to be a vendor at ACL you and your self-made/designed products have to be something of relevance to the members of ACL and you have to be an active participant in the communtiy

An if you mean "Commercial Free" via ad's, umm ACL doesn’t have ad's

multicast said:
When money and hobby / fun get mixed together the consequences are bad, and it results in good people getting "#@%@#%" off.

This hobby is about fun an happyness, but some business produce a better product an need the $$$ for R&D,
but one persons profits should'nt rock the apple cart tho..

multicast said:
It may seem dramatic, but i belive in the long term it is the only sustainable model.

In the end, i see the way ACL is being run an managed is fair an friendly.
Vendors only help the ACL community going, by keeping us informed of there latest products
 

the grinch

I guess I could use a little social interaction
Joined
Jun 23, 2013
Messages
464
Location
angle vale s.a.
Ahh yeah still don't get it ! This is not a school yard right ! We are grown ups here I believe although sometimes I behave like a juvenile lol but thats just me .... I personally have had extreme amount of help from alec and alan in critical times over xmas periods .they both have gone above and beyond and feel can never repay the favors .I reckon owe a few beers to you boys . Thx once again to you both .lets hope that their could be some kind reconciliation and we could all get along and get back to business here of enjoying this silly addiction .umm also yeah I still do not have that clap thingy disease just keeping my crazylight lady happy (happy wife happy life )
 

Emersonlights

New elf
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
35
Location
bonogin
As someone new to the hobby I think vendors on this site are a must have. I mean without people like alec dave and Alan we would not have any of the boards a lot of us use. The new boards they come up with are amazing in what they can do and without somewhere to easily let people know about them they just won't make them. Then we all lose out. Just my 2 cents
 

Phrog30

New elf
Joined
Jul 10, 2015
Messages
29
Location
US
multicast said:
I'd like to propose to the wider community that the ACL forum be made Commerical Free. That means its not used to promote individual companys / individuals products or services..

When money and hobby / fun get mixed together the consequences are bad, and it results in good people getting "#@%@#%" off.

It may seem dramatic, but i belive in the long term it is the only sustainable model.

Join the lightorama forum. If you start pushing products other than theirs, you will be banned. So, if that's what you want you will fit right in.

James
 

lithgowlights

Dedicated elf
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
1,023
I disagree. I think limited suppliers are great, as long as they don't spam their wares all the time.
 

Fing

Full time elf
Generous elf
Joined
Dec 31, 2014
Messages
405
Location
Muswellbrook
Hi All,


my 10 cents (soapbox mode on)
I've only been a member since dec14 when I was allowed to let my clap out of the cupboard for all to see. I personally have no problems with the current and past vendors or developers level of interaction and "advertising" on this site.
In fact it has been helpful in me being able to locate and source parts and services and things i didn't know existed.


We have some great members who are also vendors or developers, Advatek, Falcon, Xlights, Minelon, and even some bloke from NZ, to name but a few ( no insult intended to those I missed.). how good is it being able to chat to the developers and receive their direct support? Where else can you do this?


Ben Brown ( I suspect not his real name) is an interesting exception, he joins in chat, is polite, never pushing his wares, but is available to help those of us with the issues of international shopping and the language barrier. How good is it to have easy access to him for those of us who choose to do business with his company? ( yes I'm aware there was some early issues, but i can only speak for my post Dec 14 experiences.)


As far as I am concerned provided that the "vendor" is an active member of the group, and has a level of unselfish input, and provided they don't spam us or belittle the competition, and provided that their products are blinky related, or of an interest to the group, then I'm all for letting the present situation continue.


We all bring many and varied skills, talents and resources to this group, which is what makes it so great, if someone has a skill, or access to things or a great "mates Rates" to offer us all, then we are all the better for it.
If someone wants to join for the explicit reason to sell stuff, and then start with the Amway or Tupperware speeches then as far as i'm concerned they are fair game for the admins and mods and should be dealt with accordingly.


So no, I don't believe ACL should be Commercial free.


(soapbox mode off)
Cheers
Fing
 

mborg10

Michael Borg
Joined
Dec 28, 2011
Messages
1,446
Location
claremont meadows
I know we rely alot on volunteers to make ACL run. It takes a lot of time and a lot of effort for little reward.
I for one have no issue with ads as long as you have the choice to look at the ads and the choice to ignore them and they are not pushed down your throat.

I think the way things run now is fine. We have an area for vendors and if you don't want to read what they have to say. Ignore that section.
 
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