Hi everyone-

While I know some of you won't agree with this new freestuff policy, I still wanted to take a minute to explain:

Firstly, we amre protecting you against any malicious or spammy links that members post. It is OUR responsibility that you don't get a virus somehow on your computer. So, that's one reason.

Another is, we had instated this policy a little while back, but it was not followed through. And, so - as a team - we decided to bring this rule back because it's unfair to link to other sites. We are a free community and sharing freebies with each other from OUR site with other members is what we're all about!

If you ARE interested in promoting your website, there are tons of ways to do it. You could use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest amongst others. Google would be a GREAT tool to use. "I" have a blog and can help you - if you want to know more about promotion! You can even buy Google adwords and you could also joing our affiliate program, which is here. Please do let us know if you're interested. We'd be MORE THAN happy to help you out !

I know you may see it as 'taking away from the community,' but by linking your freebies in the forums, we're actually becoming more of a community because we're working together to show off what we've done on Renderosity.

And, as I had mentioned, we can start having challenges and contests in the Freestuff forum to make it active again! We can be a closer knit community and that's all I truly want. You may say as you'd like and can post your opinion, but just know, this is a step forward.

Thank you so much and let us know if you have any questions.

I'm sorry hope. I just can't agree with this policy. I think it's not only foolhardy, but detrimental to the site. It's one thing to tell ppl what to do with their commercial items because you have control there. It's totally another to tell people what to do with their freely-given gifts. Bad form. Linking to other sites within the freestuff area is already not allowed. Why not leave it at just that? Please believe me when I tell you this is NOT going to help the site. It's not.

Laurie

LaurieA posted at 4:54PM Thu, 18 February 2016 - #4255756

I'm sorry hope. I just can't agree with this policy. I think it's not only foolhardy, but detrimental to the site. It's one thing to tell ppl what to do with their commercial items because you have control there. It's totally another to tell people what to do with their freely-given gifts. Bad form. Linking to other sites within the freestuff area is already not allowed. Why not leave it at just that? Please believe me when I tell you this is NOT going to help the site. It's not.

Laurie

I agree with Laurie on this, renderosity just crawls further down the rabbit hole, the decline in freestuff uploads is - SURPRISE, linked directly to the asinine rules that keep getting piled up. Most companies, recognise there is an issue when people start closing their accounts, site traffic falls, and ok, that's a problem that renderosity have refused to address. But the decline in freestuff, that is truly telling of the state of the site. I removed well over 200 items from freestuff because of this same line of thinking, I have been providing freestuff items for over a decade here at renderosity, and now, there will be no more because the site is being forced into decline by stupid and petty rules.

You may say as you'd like and can post your opinion, but just know, this is a step forward...

actually, i doubt i can fully post my true opine, so i'll just line up with the rest that think this to be incredibly and blatantly ridiculous, not to mention exceptionally ignorant and counter-intuitive to the idea of community, and in particular, to an artistically inclined community such as this site as it purports itself to be...

i know few artists, or just people in general, who think of repression as being all unicorns, rainbows and whiskered kittens, with Julie Andrews off singing from some hilltop...

I am very Zen about ToU from any web community, so that's fine with me. However, I do agree that some offsite downloads could pose malware risks. Of course, caveat emptor is a good principle, even regarding freebies. But, I don't think it's really necessary for Renderosity to protect users from third-party websites risks; users should know that clicking any link to anywhere poses a risk.

personally, i think that whole 'we are protecting you from yourself and/or the big bad boogeyman' thing is just a beard, and not even a good disguise under the best of circumstance... i know whenst i'm being 'sold' a thing...

stands up...

OVATION!!!

I'm with 3DArena.

there is a potentially positive way to look at things in terms of 'community'... a lot of us DO seem to have a lot of the same opinions about the changes here. the bad thing about it is that we are all now bonding over such a negative thing, which really isn't good or what you are trying to accomplish either, Hope... think about it...

OK I rarely forum post BUT in this case I have to agree with 3D-Arena, and i'm not agreeing for the sake of it, I know what has been said between her n I before due to my own stupidity at time. Time between rejects here and going back looking again means that 3D-Arena was right and I was wrong then.

I came to renderosity as a vendor 2 years ago, chat was brimming over, forums were busy. I'm not the most social person on site and normally pretty vocal.

OK no freebies linked to outside sites ? urm ok so why does Renderosity have an affiliate program which MY digital 2D store is a part of if disallowing this. SERIOUSLY ?

Can't rein in opinions and call it bashing either sorry but it's true, we aren't bashing and you can't protect us and certainly not me, I've my own mouth which can be pure vitriole if I need it. I'm speaking as an experienced admin with 14 yrs experience of chat rooms and forums, you can't go in with the cannons firing full of sweetness and light one second and warnings cause we have an opinion the next. You have to know the people before you can start bringing out big guns and truly know if JUST POSSIBLY they have a real life issue going on and maybe voicing an opinion here is all they have even if you feel it's bashing. I've spent hours talking people out of being arses in chats or forums and finding out the reason behind it.

And any clue how hard it is to find "non-slutwear" to texture here now when you have kids ? cos i'm telling you now it's impossible.

Put down the pompoms and get to know us, get to know how tech savvy we are and I don't mean a getting to know you board either!!!!! Paying for adwords etc isn't possible for all of us and if you knew us you'd know that much!!!!!!! And how adult we really are please. We aren't children so please don't talk down to us with the over enthusiasm it's worn thin!!!!!!

Piper

round of applause for 3DArena

It is indeed sad to see a site one has been a member of for going on 20 years go down the shitter...

PS: I clicked the language box during my edit and it's not working. Shocker.

Laurie

Giana posted at 7:38PM Thu, 18 February 2016 - #4255815

there is a potentially positive way to look at things in terms of 'community'... a lot of us DO seem to have a lot of the same opinions about the changes here. the bad thing about it is that we are all now bonding over such a negative thing, which really isn't good or what you are trying to accomplish either, Hope... think about it...

This appears to have become the norm here at 'rosity, like being under the rule of a communist government we are told what can and cannot like,, what we should and should not say, etc; while the banners are waving to cheer a dynasty that nobody particularly likes...

and Hope? in case you've missed some of what we all seem to be discussing, it is not just the changes that you're implementing, it is the WAY in which YOU present them. you do honestly come across as some kindergarten teacher who is clapping her hands at her classroom children, trying to get them to settle down. either that, or you seem rather petulant if we do not get behind your view on things. let's face it - we all have differing opinions, and they all matter to at least one person posting them, but it is only that...

but here is more of what i wish to tell you, and it ties into Pip's post...

if you can figure out a way to get down in the muck, as it were, with the members here and learn some other way to interact with the us on this site, we do tend, after a time, to forgive and/or forget, for the most part - which means you may still have a fighting chance with truly earning our respect and other important things, such as your stated goal with wanting to actually form/give a sense of community to this place. i, myself, am not sure how to go about such a thing in a way that works for you, but it would possibly serve you much better if you can figure it out...

i think what may also help you is to stop seeing things in black & white - a nice mix, some swathes of grey, are always required in dealing with reality. just because i do not agree with you on a thing at any given time does not mean i'm required to, nor is it any big deal - it just is... extreme reactions to things only serves to potentially create more extreme reactions, so everything feeds off itself and thus we find ourselves having unnecessary drama over things that could've been avoided by using a little aforethought...

I'm not sure I have anything to add that hasn't already been said, but feel the need to say something.

I can't even remember when I joined, but it's been a long time. I used to check the forums and MP at least a handful of times a day when I could. Now I just check once a day or so when waiting for a render to finish. I rarely spend money here anymore and only spend any because for now, Renderosity still has a few of my favorite vendors selling exclusively here. If you're paying attention to the "community" that may be changing very soon.

A reasonable person would take notice when artists, customers, and vendors leave and make the necessary changes to bring them back. Not push them away even more.

To be honest, what is missing from this community is a cheerleader. Someone who encourages you for the positive work you do, someone who WANTS to see you guys succeed and someone who isn't afraid to make changes from time-to-time. In the past, things should have been different and I get that it will take a bit more time for you guys to respect me as an authority figure and I do get it. BUT - I'm smarter than you guys think in that, I'm trying to think of both the business as well as the community members. But... there are sooo many of you, that's it's not always possible to have one-on-one conversations with you. Would I like to? Absolutely. Do I strive to? Absolutely.

I've had several interactions with Pip. And... Pip, you and I have had some communication issues, but I respect you and would like to think you respect me as well. No, I don't know you guys, but at the same time, you don't know me either. You don't know the type of person I am. I am a sweet, genuine, caring and VERY understanding person. You don't know where I've come from, just like I don't know where you've come from.

Guys - my main goal is to bring back the SENSE of community and I know it won't happen right away. And, I know that when someone pulls the plug on something, it seems rather overwhelming. When you're sooo used to one thing and it changes, it can be hard. And, I KNOW firsthand that change is VERY hard. But, as humans, we must learn and adapt to the changes being made around us.

This has nothing to do with my age. I get that you guys have been around for a long time and I have only been in this position for 8 months. I fully understand that and fully get your hesitation. We WON'T agree on everything and that's fine. Life would be boring if everyone agreed with one another. I'm not asking you to 'shut your mouth' - as some of you note - and agree with my changes. It will be hard to take them in, but please understand this : I am REALLY and TRULY doing what's best for you guys. Maybe you don't see it that way and heck, maybe you never will and that's fine. All I'm asking from YOU is to respect me. I respect ALL of you as artists as well as human beings and I LOVE being here. I want to make a difference in this community, But, it's also a two-way street. You have to help me and understand why this is happening.

I don't want to be the 'bad guy' and take things away. I'm just trying to grow/help the business. Maybe you'll claim that I care more about the business than you and you're way wrong about that. If you think that, you do not know me whatsoever! If you've EVER had a one-on-one conversation with me, you'd see I'm an understanding person.

So.. to wrap this all up - I'm not censoring anyone nor am I asking you to agree with me. I'm simply asking for respect and I also need to earn it from you guys as well and I plan on doing just that!

specifically with regard to the freestuff issue can be found here, Brandy:

https://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/?thread_id=2899703

so in other words. you took NONE of out complaints in. at all.

its your way or nothing it seem's. and no hope, we are not "way wrong about that"... I was dealing with customers when you were in diapers. and If I talked down to them the way you are to us right now, I would have been unemployed. now please tell me who your superior is in the company to where we can direct offical complaints about you. and don't try telling us there is'nt one, yes, there is, no company would let someone lose without a manager.

"I am REALLY and TRULY doing what's best for you guys..."

i'm curious what you use/are using to determine such a thing? and i'm being quite sincere with my curiousity...

for me, again, t'is not quite the changes that are being implemented, though some of it is, that troubles me, personally... it has much to do with the presentation. and i honestly do hope you're smarter than we might come across as thinking you are - i'm an optimistic pessimist, so i love to be proved wrong and will champion that if it occurs :))

I'm done wasting my breath. If you don't think that those of use who have been around the whole time know what we liked about the community and what we hate (and we are TELLING you) then it serves no purpose for me or anyone else to say anything more. May you be happy on your empty site and cheer in your empty forums. Someday maybe you'll GET that what you want is people who are HAPPY to be here, not grumblers who grumbled until even they too have left.

Laurie

If I've come across as a "kindergarten teacher," I apologize. It's not my intent to "talk down upon anyone." I understand your concerns and always keep them into consideration when deciding something. But, you must know that some of these rules WERE implemented before my time, but now, since we're making changes, I've decided to bring them back.

And, again, age has nothing to do with it. It's all about experience. You don't know my background just as much as I don't know yours. I'm trying to get a better understanding about all of you. It will take me more time to do that.

So tell us what "experience" ya has in lieu of age, then.

and your superior is? this is not going away.

as to your experience, I go by what I'm seeing here with your dealing with us. think on that. you've gotten more complaints aimed at you than I've ever seen in the 16 years I've been on this site!

We are trying to find respect and as you say we don't know you Hope, questions were asked of you in a thread about what software you use but you didn't deign the people with an answer.

How do we know you if you don't let people in and start bringing in rules that can bung up the affiliate program etc. You do this for viruses so the thread says ? erm my antivirus warns me if a site is under warning. We all have safety features in our browsers and computers. Common sense also works on our parts. Yes I know WHY some of these rules were brought in I was one of ones spoofed in the chat room. I walked out of the chat room to save an argument with the "leathcheann" or "ballache" in my language. I tried very hard not to rise to someone spoofing my name.

Respect breeds respect! If members can't know you then how do you get members to respect you, yes I'm lucky I have had several interactions with you. Others haven't. I can see both sides of story but i'm also at side now of I don't agree with what is going on.

I'm a little fish here, a girl in a wheelchair who sells to afford another outfit to render with and texture, I found my true love here as you know and marrying him later this year. I don't have extra cash to spare, i don't make a load of money, if i make enough for one more outfit i'm happy.

What you need to remember is Renderosity for the likes of me who is housebound isn't just about art, it's about friendship, it's about family, it's about the love we all share, a common goal but right now we've lost a lot of that.

Please Hope step back and think, members here range from 16 or 18 upwards some I know are 70 and upwards. This would confuse my mother at her advanced years let alone the younger ones. Too much is being brought in and changed all at once it's hard to keep up and understand

Hugs

Piper

ok hope. some advice if you want to get to know us, when talking to us, don't end every sentence with ! it's not professional or cool. you look like a 12 year old trying to hard.

lets see if this can be a start.

Hope, i have read your bio, several times in fact, since you emerged onto the site, so in that, i have at least a very very tiny grain of knowledge as to your background...

what it comes down to in many ways is earning trust and respect, and yes, you're correct, it will take time, as you say. but in the interim, you've a lot of work, and thinking, to do in regards to becoming a leader and not just a manager of things... i've a feeling, at least at this juncture, you've a steep hill to climb, unless you're really great at solving puzzles, and in particular to this case, the puzzle of the people you are serving... i do understand that you've two separate task masters to attend to - the one that signs your paycheck, and the other, and maybe more lethal one that is us, the dregs of the remaining community, and you seriously need to figure a way that balances all of it in a way that isn't just good for YOU... we can, and sometimes do, eat our young here at this site... just sayin'...

a degree in pyschology, as opposed to journalism, would've served you well here, i think ;)

I'm not very vocal on the forums, or at all for that matter, but I'm sorry, I totally agree with 3D-Arena as well.

PAY for advertisement for FREE products?! cough huh? No, no no....

One thing that I seriously want to point out, as it's somewhat related...and I'll try my best to explain..

If we can no longer place links along with our freebies to external sites that "may" contain stores, then why, and HOW, is it ok for Rendo to place similar links all over the site to external stores? Because Rendo, or the ad owners, are paying for the ads? How does that make an ounce of difference? Just the other day I received a Renderosity email with a product which was on sale. It was a huge resource pack. And being a resource junkie, I decided to take a look at it. I clicked the link in the Renderosity email, and it took me to an EXTERNAL website! I was completely baffled. Do as I say, not as I do?? Really?

I've been with Renderosity since 2004. And I have never been so disappointed, and disgusted, with changes as I have seen the last year or so. Sure some have been "ok", but for the most part, they have not been changes for "the greater good". Complete opposite, actually.

Far to many changes have been going on over the years, and it's sad to see that so many vendors, and customers, are walking away, and yet Rendo turns a blind eye and does nothing to change this, except make more ridiculously radical changes that just drive an even larger wedge throughout the whole community. :-(

Hindsight, and all that, guys.....

~Wolfie~

Sadly, it doesn't matter when rules were implemented. You are the one who will be remembered for them Hope. I have nothing against you personally,as you so rightly point out, we don't know you. However, first impressions count. So far, the rules that have been introduced since your arrival,have done nothing to endear you to a community that is shrinking by the day.

We have expressed our concerns only to be told we don't matter.I have been a content creator for a long time, and I am telling you, your new rules will drive even more people away. Of course over the long term, people who didn't know this place a it was will be accepting of its rainbows and light attitude which you seem intent on introducing no matter the cost.

Yes there are benefits, the trolls are now quieter, good job there, but the site is becoming a fascist heaven.

yes I remember the rule. I also remember the backlash by the users and how the admin of the time stepped back and did'nt implement it. I think they realised the problems.

Please accept my following points as insight to the current mood about Hope. I have been on Renderosity since 2003 and became even more active when I became a coordinator then a moderator for the site so like many of you I have been here for a long time. I recognize many of your names and know of your talents and your participation with in the community. I have had many numerous dealings with Hope and we have not always agreed on everything but she has never been closed minded and has always been willing to hear out an opposing view. I have read many of the post here concerning the new Freestuff policy and fully understand all the views currently presented. But to vocalize criticism based on her age or different style and persona are not fair to her or what she is trying to do for Renderosity. We all at one time or another have hated change but let’s try and give change a chance. The positive outcomes might not be immediate to see but they might become just the ticket to grow and solidify an already strong and creative community we have here. So take a chance talk to Hope by site mail and or E-mail and you will find her willing to hear you out and will be very open to hearing suggestions and ideas.

not in my experience at all Lobo. I found her to be exactly the same where ever we've spoken. and thats been here, in chat and in PM. I ahve made my views clear and I stand by my request to know who her superior is in the site / company.

Personally, it's not at all about Hope, for me. It's the all encompassing thing that is Renderosity.

~Wolfie~

Khai-J-Bach posted at 4:14PM Thu, 18 February 2016 - #4255855

not in my experience at all Lobo. I found her to be exactly the same where ever we've spoken. and thats been here, in chat and in PM. I ahve made my views clear and I stand by my request to know who her superior is in the site / company.

Hello Khai-J-Bach

I am not privy to any interactions you have had with Hope and sometimes personalities will clash as to who her direct superior is that is something she will have to contact you about since on that business end is not within the scope of what I do on the site

Where did 3D-Arena's post go, Hope?

stands & ovates 3DA again

Hope, it wasn't your age that was a concern for me. It's the way you come across...passive/aggressive kind of with an "it's my way or the highway" attitude an no listening to the good folks who have been here almost as long as you've been...on the earth. LOL. A lot of us, like Pip has said are housebound, including myself. The computer is our window to the world as it were and Rendo is where we hang out and gossip, make stuff, trade pleasantries. However, it's fast becoming a place a lot of us don't want to come to and I don't think you want that. For every one of us that is very vocal about it, there's probably 10 that won't utter a word but will just quietly leave. And that's not a community - it's an exodus.

Laurie

This forum is BORKED! Posts are disappearin'... better get a tech on it quick like, Hope.

I'm trying to think of both the business as well as the community members.

Can you try to elaborate in which way this will benefit the members? It have already been pointed out that its not your responsibility to whether people get a virus but clicking a link on your site that take them to another site. You have no way of removing links faster than a person wanting to post such link can post them. so if you mean that you are responsible and after applying this rule, someone gets a virus through a link that you didn't remove in time, will you then pay a compensation or what type of responsibility are you referring to? its absurd, So removing that part of the benefit. What effect are you aiming at for the people creating the freebies, as they have already stated that they are not interested in the "deal" that you are offering, which is perfectly understandable as its pretty much a one way deal. Contests with freebies will be quite difficult if there ain't any. So what are you offering those making freebies, that are so beneficial for them, that they should add all there stuff here and close there own sites?

What benefits do you aim for with Renderosity as business? You have vendors, customers and even forum moderators saying this is a bad idea. Freebies doesn't make you money directly, it make a stronger community under one condition, that those that make them post them here, even if this is only links to other sites, it have value for you, as you have gathered them and its quicker for people looking for freebies to go through a sorted and maintained list and thereby visit your website. Freebies them self wont converted directly to money, except through them driving traffic to your site with a chance of these visitors grabbing a few products a long the way, but this rule does exactly the opposite of that, because you are driving away those posting the freebies, so its bad for business as well. The vendors should be the ones supporting this idea, if ANY, but i doubt you will see any of us give you a thumb up for this idea, its so counter productive for the community as a whole.

Also people don't need someone to cheer them on, if things are bad and people are unhappy the only way to solve it is to listen to the community and fix the issues that they are requesting rather then spending time on stuff, that everyone clearly agree on is a terrible idea. It makes no different if this is an old idea that just weren't rolled out or not, it was just as bad an idea back then as it is now. So just because you haven't followed up on it, doesn't mean you have to implement it at all costs.

If you really stand firm on this being a great idea, then please elaborate on why this is good for both business and the community, because it seems like no one shares your view on this? You ask for people to trust you, and the only way I think you can convinced anyone about this, is if the plan make sense, its not a matter of just wait and see, because if you roll out this rule you will ruin your freebie section. And agree with 3D-Arena that you might as well close it then.

Please remove my freebies (second post)

edit never mind I did it myself

Yeah I just noticed that too.... Not very professional to delete posts. Does not inspire confidence at all. :-(

~Wolfie~

https://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/?thread_id=2898950&#msg4255385

Here's an example of what I mean....if that paragraph wasn't a thinly veiled "F*ck you and the horse you rode in on" and "don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out", I don't know what is ;). It's things like that that turn me off to the current administration ;).

Laurie

<Copied from another thread - it seems more appropriate here>

A long time ago I used to post here. I started several threads, and many ran to dozens of pages, tens of thousands of views and hundreds, sometimes thousands of replies. People were excited by those threads, and came here every day to keep up with them. That was in the days of a proper community.

They were threads about EZMat, EZSkin, Pose2Lux, Subdivision in Poser, EZMetals et al. Hope, you probably don't know much about those projects, not being an actual community member yourself, but take it from me that they were quite popular among Poser users.

And what did they all have in common? They were all threads about freebies available offsite, with links to them.

Others used to create similarly popular threads: the Antonia thread, the Luxpose thread etc. And guess what? they were all about freebies available offsite too.

It used to work like this:

People fetch the freebie offsite, then RETURN TO RENDEROSITY to read more about it.

People fetch the freebie offsite, then RETURN TO RENDEROSITY to ask for help with it.

People fetch the freebie offsite, then RETURN TO RENDEROSITY to make suggestions for enhancements to it.

People would go and fetch the freebie offsite, then RETURN TO RENDEROSITY to buy products to use with the freebie.

Read that again. It's important. IT'S WHAT MADE THIS A COMMUNITY. People were excited about the forums, excited about Renderosity.

Not only are the originators of those threads no longer active here, but none of those threads would be possible now. With the new dumbass rules they would each have been locked on the very first day - every single one of them.

Nobody here has a clue about what makes the community tick, so they just make up rules instead. It would be funny if it wasn't such a joke.

Still, instead of genuine understanding we have the fake smiles and cheesy cheerleading instead. That's got to count for something, doesn't it?

Jeez.

Malysse, who once used to post as Snarlygribbly

So, we've lost Bagginsbill and now Snarlygribbly...this makes me exceptionally angry. Really. Probably two of the largest contributors in the Poser forum. Gone. And for what? Stupidity.

Laurie

I personally think the new policy is a good idea, because it will lessen the likelihood of getting viruses, etc.

But my opinion is not really the issue here, it's the shoot-the-messenger mentality that seems to be pervading this thread. I'm not privy to the process Admins use for making new rules, but I'm sure Hope didn't make the rule by herself, but it's her job to announce it. I don't think it's proper to attack her repeatedly over something that's not her fault.

Then you missed the post where she said it was her decision ...

Well done for scraping the bottom of the barrel with the viruses thing though :-)

I give up, see you guys elsewhere take care x

Well Penny, when the messenger tells us "Eat it, you'll like it", seemingly making NO effort at explaination or being a go-between between her bosses & us lowly peasants, then resorts to censorship... yeah. Shit, meet fan. Fan... shit.

And this isn't a first, either. Some of us have kinda grown to expect it.

I personally think the new policy is a good idea, because it will lessen the likelihood of getting viruses, etc.

Have this been a huge problem? just wondering since if it were it seems strange why you haven't rolled out this rule once you noticed the virus problem. Im not really sure its a good argument or even method for fighting viruses.

Here is a suggestion against viruses:

AVG free virus protection

Avast free virus protection

Both of them are very good. Use avast my self. :D

@ Amaranth : You are able to remove your free stuff yourself if I recall correct ..

"You may say as you'd like and can post your opinion, but just know, this is a step forward."

I'm sorry, but where have all the opinions gone? I really hope you all fix this mess you're in before there's no "community" left here.

I brought this rules silliness to those higher up who might change it and it has been woefully ignored. This is not about whats "fair" . Your community tells you this is something we have always done and lists out its benefits and yet you insist you are doing this to protect us and for the greater good. This is not the case. You are doing this without listening or taking into account what your COMMUNITY says. You can't lead a community if you are not willing to come down here with the rest of us and be part of it. You can not shove your beliefs down the throats of others no matter how much you say you are protecting us , and no matter how many !!! points are added or how enthusiastic you are some decisions , no matter how much you cheerlead them...are still bad decisions. I have been here 13 years , I am watching a sad decline in a community I once loved because the people who are in charge refuse to listen to the people who keep the doors open , THE MEMBERS.

Crap! They're on to my scheme of embedding viruses in my fractal obj files!!

Now I'll have to figure out how to embed viruses in images and upload them so everyone who views the image will lose all data on their hard drives!

Nyah-Ha-Ha-Ha! * Twirls handlebar mustachio * [/sarcasm]

OK seriously, I have no problem with whatever rules they want to apply here. If they become too annoying, I'll just go away. Maybe state my reasons first and see if anyone cares, but having run a lot of forums myself - I know full well that rule changes are inevitable, as is negativity resulting from them.

But it's life and we all move on.

I did take issue with my free fractal obj files thread being locked, but not because of the rule taking effect - I was put off by the fact that whatever moderator locked it did so with no post of any kind explaining why, not even a sitemail or an email. It is a Rule for moderators at every site I have ever worked that taking actions that directly effect a user Require those actions be explained at the time they are taken.

Not later, after complaints are made and questions are asked in pointed ways.

Ya wanna tip from a recent rule change over at Fractalforums.com? (yup - Shameless self promotion!) (I do help run that place)

Our gallery was getting spammed by a few users posting literally dozens of images at once and monopolizing the recent posts area. We restricted the Gallery uploads to One Per Member Per Day. We knew this would cause an uproar, and we also knew that merely posting an "Announcement" was grossly insufficient to be sure people knew what we were doing.

So we set it up that on their next visit every member would be greeted with a message telling them that they had to read the post linked to before they could do anything else on the site.

That way at least nobody could get caught off guard (like I was when visiting here to find locked threads with no explanation).

I read in this thread that posts are disappearing. Sad, but necessary sometimes. I trust the members whose posts were removed were informed. If not, this is not the sort of place I want to be. If so, at least people are doing their job.

I sort of understand the not linking to outside sites, but claiming it is anything other than a Business decision to avoid promoting other sites is an insult.

Has ANYBODY ever gotten a virus from a free 3D File posted here, or at ShareCG, or even at the DAZ Forums Freepozitory?

If so, I will be the first to apologize and support this action. Otherwise I stand by my belief that it is a money making decision and the stated reason of Virus Protection is a smokescreen designed to hide the true intentions of The Man Behind The Curtain.

That brings up a good point - is even ShareCG banned from being a host for free stuff? If so, that surely invalidates your virus excuse since they screen everything. Feed your ego all you want. It's your site to do with as you please. But things that are perceived as insulting really should be avoided.