Well, Cheryle...that may be true, then again bijouchat is not the only merchant that feels that way...she's just one of the few that are openly vocal about it.

bijouchat: I think the banner decision is fine, although I would prefer an overall filter for nudity that affects the entire site, including banners. Its the larger agenda here I have a problem with, though.

Me: A filter was asked for, the site has decided that tighter controls on the banners was a better alternative to a filter so that all merchants had the same opportunity for exposure of their products. The Admins concern was that filters would severely limit the exposure of some merchants. There is no larger agenda here. The majority of people that objected to the banners, objected to the explicit content. The objection was not "nudity" per se, but explicit, tasteless, tacky sexuality used to advertise products.

bijouchat: Now the puritans have a taste of victory...

Me: I think most of us involved in this issue resent being called "puritans", "prigs", "prudes", or any other such characterization. I did not object to the banners, but a sizable number of the members did. Since Renderosity chooses to characterize itself as a "family friendly" site...many banners fell outside the limits required to keep a site "family friendly". I spoke out on the behalf of those members, even though my views are in many ways opposite theirs, because this is a community...and as such, I believe there has to be give and take and respect for the diverse standards of the membership. There is no celebration of victory here...there is merely appreciation for the Admins for recognizing the standards they set were being violated and dealing with it.

bijouchat: This banner rule would ironically ban even artworks in the style of such pictures like Botticelli's Birth of Venus from banners, which you can view in yes, any art textbook.

Me: The banner ruling does not ban artistic works, it bans tacky, tasteless, and explicit advertising copy which is used to lure people to view and purchase the product. It in no way effects what merchants can show in their store images.

bijouchat: Renderotica is not the place to post your baby angel pictures. You should be able to post such innocent work, the stuff of Romanticism, Renaissance and classical art, HERE.

Me: You can pretty much post whatever you want in the Product Showcase Forum and the Product Showcase Gallery within the limits of the TOS, and still showcase your products.

bijouchat: seems to me some people won't be happy until some vendors are completely thrown out of the store for even daring to sell things like genital morphs, too.

Me: Genital morphs and such aren't the problem, they way they are depicted in the banner ads are! Tell us in you Banner that you have genital morphs available, tell us they how easy they are to apply, tell us how many dials available to customize them...but a closeup of a naked man or woman's genitals posed seductively isn't necessary to get us to click that banner.

bijouchat: PoserPros finally lightened up on their stance with nudity. Artistic nudity involving babies is now allowed there (such as nativity scenes, cherubs and angels), and fairies can be less clothed than before. They can't have nipples or genitals showing, but you can cover them with leaves and flowers now.

Me: What has that got to do with banner ads or the banner ad decision here?

As far as it goes, I'm happy with the sites measures to keep the content within reasonable boundaries for a "family friendly" site. The control of content in the banners and the "nudity flag" are reasonable controls that honor the needs of a diverse community. On the other hand, I will not be making any purchases from any merchants that consider limits on nudity and explicit sexuality "prudish", "prigish", or "puritan". They obviously care little about the community and much about the dollars they can line their pockets with. I don't begrudge anyone the right to profit, unless it means they are willing to use any means to make that profit...including a blatent disrespect for healthy views of members in the community.