Re: Commercial Links off Website

[krandall@world.std.com]

At 09:44 AM 9/16/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi again,
>
>Just on the heels of Dave G asking to be linked from the AGA site, I got
>mail from Edward at M3 asking to be added since the AGA page "seems to
>have a number of commercial links and M3 is expanding their line of
>planted tank accessories". I'm thinking at this point to perhaps split the
>links into commercial and informational sections, the way I do on my
>Apisto Page (http://www.thekrib.com/Apisto).  While M3 has generally
>gotten thumbs-up from people, this starts to become a can of worms when
>every business starts wanting links, and then we have to have an official
>policy.
>
>So,
>  1. Should I add M3 to the listing?

I would say yes.  If we're listing Dave's stuff, I see no reason not to
list M3.  

>  2. Should I split up the links into research (aka Jan B's crypt page)
>     and business pages?

I think that's a great idea.  It makes it very clear which are purely
informational, and who is selling something.  Maybe a statement on the
business link page that these links are provided to help our members find
products and services that may be of use to them, but that AGA does not in
anyway endorse any of these products or businesses.

>  2. Should I add ANY business that asks?  NONE?  Always ask the MCM?

I'd be inclined to trust Erik's judgement over whether HE think you need to
bring it to the MC, or whether he feels confident adding it on his own.
(for instance a link to Tropica would, it seems to me, be without question,
while a link to Joe Shmoe's Red Georgia Clay might be something we wanted
to decide on together, based on whether any of us have any experience with
the company or product, or have heard anything about the company's reputation.

>PS: I got my TAG yesterday and updated the pages to reflect this.
>Congrats!

Even though I proofed the galley copy, I'm _still_ itching to get my hands
on the real thing!

Karen