Interesting.
Your post at the end of October that was intended to put a stop to all the discussion used said the following:
You are now changing the language from "I will be..." to "reserving the right".
This distinct change in your words smacks to me of a one-sided view of the situation. As a moderator, I would expect you to take a role that is understanding of different perspectives.
This also raises concerns to me, and re-iterates a concern from someone who last week brought up the VedaPrime topic - that there's no clear definition of what is allowed here, and what isn't.
Now you're suggesting that an important factor of whether the topic is allowed is whether the "flow of the thread" is impacted. Can you elaborate on what the flow is, because without clarification, a definition of the "flow" is quite subjective.
I'm coming to the conclusion that perhaps, instead, its on your own whims as to what is allowed in this thread, and when.
This type of behaviour from a moderator - of clearly stating a rule, and then mid-way through the period of time the rule is in effect, changing the terms of the rule - does not make for a great place to express a point of view. It detracts from the value TMC provides to the Australian Tesla community.
In what will likely be a futile effort, I'm going to clearly explain my perspective here:
- VedaPrime provides factual information to his community - this is undisputed
- In my view, VedaPrime should be free to include themselves in this community and offer insight when his knowledge is relevant
- VedaPrime is also free to run his own paid-for service; there's nothing wrong with this either
- I personally don't think its too much for VedaPrime to include a link to his service in his signature, even though this isn't allowed by the forum rules
However, where I think the line should be drawn, referencing
TMC's forum rules:
Under the TMC forum rules heading "
Signature Guidelines"
The VedaPrime website is commercial, and it is (in my view) a competing website. the site's address is listed in VedaPrime's signature. Interestingly, the signature says it's a "tracking guide" but the site itself refers to it as a "tracking service". Presumably this variation is to avoid it being flagged to TMC of its actual status as a business.
Under the TMC forum rules heading "
No Advertising – Spam":
While previously meloccom you have said the word
your in "Do not heedlessly place
your advertisements through the Discussion Forums" means this only applies to VedaPrime themselves placing advertisement (which, btw, I agree they have not done), it is tenuous to suggest that the "your" pronoun used once at the beginning of this paragraph means everyone else can heedlessly advertise the VedaPrime service at will.
Under the TMC forum rules heading "
Competing Sites, Businesses, Individuals and Organizations"
I believe it is against TMC member's best interest, and TMC's own interest, to allow VedaPrime's site (including the Patreon, and Discord service) to build upon the popularity of TMC by promoting themselves here.
The way VedaPrime is promoted here often cuts short the conversation of this thread about topics of interest - to use your words melaccom's - it disrupts the flow. Those who promote the service typically do so off the back of a conversation or a question about the Model 3 delivery process. Instead of providing an answer that helps the TMC community build its knowledge, the member often repeats the typical phrasing "Have you tried VedaPrime's service? That's where to go to find this out" - its literally the definition of promoting a business.
VedaPrime exists as a chat room environment, with different Discord channels for different topics. It should be unquestioned - VedaPrime is a competing site to TMC.
You might look at the 4th sentence of the rule around
competing sites and see that the word "themselves" is used - you may argue again that VedaPrime itself is not actively promoting the commercial service - that its only others who are promoting it. But like the same argument against the
No advertising rules, it is tenuous to think that one single word can be the difference between heedless promotion being allowed, or not allowed.
Above are my arguments in support of removing and banning all references to VedaPrime's service here on this thread, and doing so permanently.
If this post is unduly removed, if an unreasonable response is received, or if I am verballed again by other members (i.e. putting forward arguments against things I, and others, have not actually said against VedaPrime's service), I will escalate through whatever means is available on the TMC system.
A quick search shows this is not the only thread VedaPrime is mentioned in. I will also be sure to highlight the references in other threads as well.
If you provide a reasonable response, taking into account the key elements of my perspective above, then great. I may even consider becoming a paid-for TMC member.
