In order to avoid libels, flame wars, and general bad feeling, a new forum rule will come into effect. Naming specific websites or companies will no longer be allowed. Additionally, leaving obvious clues such as search engine links that point to specific companies or websites won't be allowed.

If you want to discuss a situation, please exemplify it. For instance:

Exceptions

You can mention by name certain major research resources that are of use to most writers. This includes large search engines and important government and educational sites. Good examples of this are the CDC, the Office of National Statistics, and NASA. Places that provide freely available collections of a substantial amount of authoritative information may be exempt.

This exception does not cover small directories, ordinary webzines, or publishers.

Why do we need this rule?

This is chiefly necessary because of the possibility of libel and defamation. It is unworkable for a moderator to investigate every claim and counter-claim that members may make against each other, in order to get to the truth. Avoiding specifics will also cut down on bad feelings, misunderstandings, and flame wars.

There are also too many self-promotional posts which echo the information in member's profiles. These don't add anything of benefit to other readers. Writing Talk is not intended to become a forum for self-promotion.

Cutting out specifics reduces the scope for abuse, because it discourages people from joining up with multiple accounts purely in order to promote their own businesses. The following is a crude example of the sort of sneaky forum advertising we want to avoid:



And whilst a minority will attempt to promote their companies through forums, still others will try to discredit their rivals by launching smear campaigns.

How will this affect older posts?

This new rule will be applied to all older posts.

Solicitations and Announcements

Generally you can mention the name of a company if you are soliciting work for it in the Solicitations and Announcements section. Posts made in this section are not permanent, and will either be moved to the posts archive or removed altogether after sufficient time has passed.

Terms and Conditions

See the terms and conditions for other rules which also apply to the forum.