Could we maybe start the thread with a list of what people do, and then that's it? New people could either post once when they come into the thread, or someone in the first few posts could maintain a list and edit it.

Oh, totally, Amy. And Buffistas happiness/comfort level is FAR more important than self-promo.

Anyway, if peeps are really uncomfortable with it being done formally, it's certainly happened organically in the past and has been fine. If someone's in there, and asking for links for good info on breaking into copy-editing or (random coding stuff I know nothing about), then people are going to know that X and Y are into editing and web design.

If someone pops into a discussion on what's allowable as a home office deduction and is all :Help! I need a dressmaker! Profile addy good" then interested parties could respond back-channel.

But is it inappropriate for a Buffista to be all "SQUEE! Look, I can haz business!! LINKY."

Because I know the day I go live, I will want to burble and point.

(The last items are a little mememe, but it's honestly an board etiquette question I've been pondering for a while, between blogging and starting up a business: what's polite and what's irritating? And I have ZERO desire to be That Person.)

No sarcasm, all good intents and honest questions in this post, y'all.

Regardless of what rules the putative thread has, I see no reason why you couldn't burble and point in Natter and/or Bitches or maybe even Beep Me.

Could we maybe start the thread with a list of what people do, and then that's it? New people could either post once when they come into the thread, or someone in the first few posts could maintain a list and edit it.

Dana, this is similar to what I was suggesting upthread. Not a constant nattering about what people do, but a list that is part of the thread.

I like this idea.

Yeah, I don't know that I would much follow it, but I'd love to be able to go look somewhere (even if it involves posting in the thread, but that seems repetitive) "Hey, there's gotta be a buffista who does web design/resume building/unicorns and glitter, I need to hire someone!"

Could we maybe start the thread with a list of what people do, and then that's it?

That sounds to me like a header that would be revised from time to time. I'm not sure we've done it before (and I'll let the tech-minded and Stompies advise on how much of a burden the updating would be). It sounds ideal for an FAQ.

I don't see anything inherently wrong with a general "no excessive pimpage" rule allowing "I'm going into business" announcements and responses to requests for help, plus the occasional special announcement for sales or the like. We've never been shy about asking people to back off a bit.

What if the thread header included a link to our Affiliate Links?

I also think it's appropriate to announce new projects in Beep Me.

I understand the need for clear guideleines but I also have seen this community police itself (and been policed myself). I trust us to be able to work with a little ambiguity.

One thing it sounds like we could use separate from this thread - a permanent list Buffista affiliated business (not just books)Maybe just a new entry in links section. Not a substitute for the new thread but maybe something that will both be useful Buffistas and reduce any temptation to spam.

I agree with Typo Boy but I know this means more work for stompies.