Aaron, and all. If we intend to keep this site commercial free, and I agree that we should, then keeping the spirit of the current rules in place about not allowing direct links to advertisements or other forums should stand. It is not our place to govern what the other forums have on their pages...that is their duty. Opening up dirct links to those would create an additional burden on our moderators to have to look at all of them, then decide if they were appropriate for this forum. I believe having the direct links could be seen as endorsing the information. I agree with giving enough information for the others to find the information on their own. At that point, it is his or her responsibility to make sure if it is something they want to read, or have others with them see.
I have in the past, when answering someone's post looking for something specific, sent a PM with the direct link. That way I can help the person looking, not create any work for the Mods, and not run afoul of the TOS. Is it more work? Yeah, a little. SO??
I suggest clarify by saying something like: "Direct links to other forums or to commercial sites where something is offered for sale are prohibited. Links to articles related to the topic in a particular post is encouraged. If someone is looking for specific information on another fourm or on a commercial site, then please send any links via private message."
Hope this helps. Jim.
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