Declared interests

[Soot]

The forum already has rules for the management of suppliers but this does not express the only basis of potential member business interest in the e-cig market. Without behaving in a biased manner allegations of bias are made and the reputation of the member is damaged.

In the virtual world this isn't as serious a matter as it would be if real identities were involved but it's still harmful to the identities that form the community of this forum.

Can the forum set up a register that allows members declare the products, suppliers and/or manufacturers in which they have a financial concern? A link (including date of registration of interest) to the declaration can be included in that member's signature.

Doing this will leave members with valid defence to allegations of bias.

I've no problem with members here having financial interests with e-cigs - they often have informed comments to make. With an open declaration of interest their comments can be seen in context and they are less open to allegations of attempts to deliberately mislead.

Just a suggestion - what do others think? Personally, I'm fed up of reading unfounded allegations that expose the site to legal action.

[deewal]

I second that.

[tribalmasters]

I 3rd that!!!!!

[SmokeyJoe]

I'm not sure if there is anything that can be done in this regard, unless anyone can point me in the way of a vBulletin plugin that has the capability.

What would be possible is to add new rules making it mandatory for members to declare their interests in the threads.

[madog]

Why not just make people with declared interests add those interests to their signature line - put it in the rules and have a mod approve it. No one showed really mind it is like free advertising - Similar to how Cashmere has his. Discrete but known

[Soot]

Why not just make people with declared interests add those interests to their signature line - put it in the rules and have a mod approve it. No one showed really mind it is like free advertising - Similar to how Cashmere has his. Discrete but known

Sounds like a reasonable compromise to me.

[trog100]

none of these here of course.. he he

Fanboy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

but throw in commercial interests.. simple fanboys/girls.. fake testimonials vested interests of dubious kinds and this place has problems.. declared interests wont help much..

to simply ban all and very kind of product promotion in certain user only forums might be the only answer.. this has to include the prominently displayed sign off link.. not in all forums just some..

soot sees vendettas as the problem i just see the place being over run by clever spam and fake testimonials..

trog

[deewal]

i just see the place being over run by clever spam and fake testimonials..

trog

Could you give us the links to some of these please ?

deewal

[Fedor]

i just see the place being over run by clever spam and fake testimonials..

trog

I second that strongly.....makes me go "C'mon, u expect me to buy that?!"
and "You're so up his/her as* its unbelievable!"

Some are not so clever....rule of fake and clever spam/ testimonials is Don't overdo it...

If i'm being lied to, i don't wanna find out...LOL

[trog100]

Could you give us the links to some of these please ?

deewal

no for obvious reasons.. mainly cos what i see and what the consensus majority will see are two entirely different things.. my arguing days on here are over...

trog