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I think it is also helpful to maintain perspective...while sifting through email the delete key is only inches away. Allan Ernie Buford wrote: > On 8/13/2010 11:37 AM, Julie Waters wrote: >> At 11:16 AM -0400 8/13/10, Ernie Buford wrote: >>> In an attempt to clarify the bounds here, I've added the following >>> instruction to VTBIRD guidelines: >>> >>> Fee-based events and services should NOT be advertised on VTBIRD >>> except >>> by non-profit organizations. Professional photographers are >>> encouraged to share >>> their work to the extent that it supports legitimate subject >>> matter but should refrain >>> from explicit self-promotion. >> >> That does make sense to me, but I'll use my own recent post as an >> attempt to clarify. I posted an item here a few weeks ago about an >> upcoming art exhibit of mine, primarily featuring bird photography. >> The exhibit is not fee based, though there are prints for sale there. >> (I did not solicit any sales in my post). >> >> I'm assuming from what you said that this is the sort of thing that's >> acceptable for future reference. >> >> The other thing I post from time to time is links to bird photos on >> my web site; once again, I'm assuming this is fine to do. I don't >> suggest anyone buy anything and though there are a few ads on the >> site, they're fairly unobtrusive and not at all aggressive. The site >> actually has considerably less advertising than some sites out there. >> >> Am I interpreting everything accurately here? >> >> > > It's all in the interpretation, isn't it? That's one reason I was > soliciting feedback. To be completely transparent, I was on the fence > about your announcement. It didn't particularly bother me personally, > but I also share some concern expressed in a small number of past > complaints about the volume of photo links in some of your messages. > On the other hand, I've appreciated much of what you have to share, > and I expect that lots of subscribers enjoy seeing your photos. > > As we've established, this is a gray area. If self-promotion were > banned then artists would get others to do the promoting for them. A > couple of comments that came back already today indicate that some > subscribers would like to see information about products, tours, > workshops, etc. even if they are commercial. Others on the list only > want rare bird reports and get annoyed at the volume of mundane trip > reports (of which, I must admit, there are many). I'd like to strike > a balance that works for the majority, but I get very little input and > do not have a lot of time and energy to devote to policing the list. > Perhaps it's time for a poll. Then again, it's pretty nice out right > now.... > > EB -- ******************************************************************* Allan M. Strong University of Vermont The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 007 Hills Building Burlington, VT 05405 802-656-2910 *******************************************************************