This is exactly why it is so confusing - because this did happen already and was brought up in the old C & D forum, by the artist who was told the link would be removed, when it happened. (ironbear has also linked the thread above that was not in C&D) At the time it was stated that linking to competitor's site for free items wasn't allowed. I don't mind - it's just that the rules never seem to be set in stone - they change constantly and everytime one gets used to them - they change again. As for "Wether a commercial site makes a profit or not isn't a factor in this. We play no favorites" I don't buy that either (but then I don't have to), I know of at least one case where one of our vendors was approached by 'rosity staff privately in regards to why that vendor chose to be a part of 3-D Arena. I have never seen the email in question - but I fully believe the vendor who told me. But the real point is the confusion this creates - So are links ok to sites with stores or subscriptions as long as they aren't to the mall? If so then has the rule regarding the linking to their own free stuff by artists I host changed as well? Or is no linking allowed to sites with sales so therefore I can't link contest news here? I have a feeling that if I posted large images of my newesst products available only at 3-D Arena (I have 3 coming out soon FYI) ind the showcase forum, that they would be pulled or disallowed in the future. As for "Wether a commercial site makes a profit or not isn't a factor in this. We play no favorites" I don't buy that either (but then I don't have to) because I know of at least one of our vendors who was approached by 'rosity staff in regards to why that vendor chose to sell at 3-D Arena after having left 'rosity's marketplace (didn't come to us immediately either). Specifically to insure that I didn't spend my time here trying to encourage vendors to leave 'rosity for us. The amazing thing is that I am ~always~ up front with vendors and will always tell them their sales with us won't equal the sales they could make here. People leave here and go elsewhere based solely on their own perceptions of this place. I have seen those who leave here or who hang out elsewhere referred to as sheep when in reality the sheep mentality is that which sees unfairness and an unequality and insists on following it anyhow, because to do otherwise involves a change habits and mentality that is too much trouble.

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I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.
-Galileo