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.

I am cool with a promo-free thread, which seems to be the general direction most people like.

I'd love to get a stompie's take on the affiliate link idea. Too much work? Too far a step off board culture? Wot?

The current links pages are user maintained.

I was going to say. Any buffista can add a link. Adding a new category might be very simple indeed. But I'll let someone who has to do the work provide info on that part of it.

Huh. I did not know that!

I like both the idea of the thread and a linky page.

There have been a number of times when I needed a product or service and wondered if there was a Buffista that offered same. Another step toward world domination when we support each other.

The knowledge sharing and brainstorming thread would be a place I would visit, and get hopelessly behind in, like my other subscribed threads. Surely my decades of business ownership has resulted in some knowledge others could benefit from, and the decades of experience has taught me how little I know and how important it is to have respected brains to pick.

Back to work....