Guidelines regarding commercial links

[WebmasterKathy]

A few guidelines to remember when posting on the DISboards:

1. FOR SALE: For sale ads are strictly prohibited on any of the DISboards. Anyone posting such ads will have their post deleted. This same policy applies to links to your ebay/auction listings . "For sale" posts includes requests for donations (see below). In addition, "Vote for me" posts are not permitted on the DIS. This includes requests for support in an online contest, sweepstakes, lottery or other event designed to yield personal gain.

7. ADVERTISING: The advertisers/sponsors who you see on the DIS are carefully chosen. While we welcome discussion of them as well as other businesses that you have information or questions about, if its determined that you are using the DIS to promote a commercial venture, you will lose your posting privileges. This includes choosing a username/signature that refers to your business. In addition, links to the company's website will be blocked. Also note that we do not want the boards to be used for solicitations or for requesting referrals. Requests for advertising can be directed to Corey@wdwinfo.com for consideration.

10. LINKS TO OTHER SITES: You are welcome to link to your web site on our boards provided that a) you are not promoting a commercial service or for-profit venture, b) you don't post primarily to promote your site and c) that you place one of these images on the home page of your web site. Before posting a link to another site, we ask that you please first check to see if the same information is available on www.wdwinfo.com.

Please remember that you agreed to these guidelines when you joined. For those in the scrapbooking forum this means:

- you can not include a link to a blog (or otherwise show) that has a link to your for profit store (digital, etsy, ebay, or any others)- in your signature or post

- when posting a layout it should not be linked back to a gallery that is part of a store or have any stores/designers listed in the credits

- you can provide information about places to find good deals/sales and such as people ask for information and you find it as long as you are not a member of a design team or designer for that store

- you may provide links to places that have freebies and no items for sale - if they have items for sale then the freebies are for advertising and links to them will not be allowed (this includes links to digital sites and ebay/etsy sites for traditional scrappers)

- if you are posting a link to your personal site then it must have a disboards link back to here as seen in item number 10 above

- due to the nature that prizes in and of themselves are commercial in nature we will have to ask everyone to stop providing prizes for challenges and instead just encourage people to do a challenge for the sake of doing the challenge (allowing the winner to host the next challenge is not a prize with commercial ties and so that is still allowed)

Violations of the above rules can result in consequences including loss of signatures, loss of ability to send or receive private messages, or even temporary or permanent revocation of your membership here.

These guidelines will be enforced by the moderators will the full support and agreement of the webmasters. Any questions or complaints about our site guidelines should be addressed to the webmasters at admin@wdwinfo.com.

[janette]

- when posting a layout it should not be linked back to a gallery that is part of a store or have any stores/designers listed in the credits


Are the webmasters aware that virtually all digital designers TOU require credit given when their products are used and displayed. Sounds like we have to find a new place to hang out with other Disney fans that enjoy digital scrap booking. One of the best aspects of a group is being able to share work and see others for ideas.

[tngirl1979]

Are the webmasters aware that virtually all digital designers TOU require credit given when their products are used and displayed. Sounds like we have to find a new place to hang out with other Disney fans that enjoy digital scrap booking. One of the best aspects of a group is being able to share work and see others for ideas.

I agree with janette. You are asking for us to violate a legal requirement if we post and do not give credit. I guess we will not be able to post here.

One other question would be if we can not document where we received our products, then traditional scrapbookers can not reference Michael's, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, etc. Is this correct? That would be promoting the Brick and Morter stores just like we would be promoting digital stores.

[RRBB]

I guess the days of the DIS being a great place to share both our enthusiasm for all things Disney as well as our passion for scrapping are over. What had been a fun outlet to pass information about the what's and where's and how's is no more. And is a darn shame, because if it weren't for the fun challenges posted here I would have never started much less completed my DD's first trip to Disney World album. I would have never found out where to get cool products to use in that digital album. I would never have felt the desire to learn more about the neat things that can be done digitally --- BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN WHERE TO GO TO LEARN!!!

With all these restrictions about sharing information - which I thought was one of the best features of the DIS - you might as well just shut down the Scrapbooking forum. Because if we scrappers cannot share what and where we find cool products or share our layouts with proper credits, then there's just no point because there's nothing to post about.

And while you're at it, get rid of the Budget Board, DVC-Rent/Trade forum, Creative DISigns forum, etc. because they're in violation of these rules, too!!!

[WebmasterKathy]

Guys,

The problem here is that we've had an influx of people who post here to promote their own commercial ventures. The DIS has always had rules that prohibit advertising or posting for personal gain, and that's what has seemingly run rampant here recently.

Did you read this part?

- you can provide information about places to find good deals/sales and such as people ask for information and you find it as long as you are not a member of a design team or designer for that store

Again, what we're aiming to eliminate is those who are promoting themselves here for profit.

[RRBB]

Guys,

The problem here is that we've had an influx of people who post here to promote their own commercial ventures. The DIS has always had rules that prohibit advertising or posting for personal gain, and that's what has seemingly run rampant here recently.

Again, what we're aiming to eliminate is those who are promoting themselves here for profit.
How about instead punishing everyone that has enjoyed the DIS and the fun on the scrapbooking board, you point out to those in violation what the problem is. It just seem unfair to the masses that all of a sudden the rug is pulled out from under us in such an abrupt way.

Just because someone posts a link to a site where products can be purchased doesn't mean they get any personal gain from it. More often than not it's just a friendly way of sharing, just as those that post about sales at Target or Michael's or AC Moore or any other site - brick & mortar or internet - for physical products.

It just seems y'all have taken the advertising rule over the top here. Just my humble opinion. Now I'm off to find some place where sharing isn't so restictive...

[susan0326]

Just because someone posts a link to a site where products can be purchased doesn't mean they get any personal gain from it. More often than not it's just a friendly way of sharing, just as those that post about sales at Target or Michael's or AC Moore or any other site - brick & mortar or internet - for physical products.

Exactly! I've been around the Dis for awhile and there are always links to things whether it's cricut, AC Moore, or Joann's, etc. What difference is it to link to a site that has digi-stuff for sale? This is just wrong.


It just seems y'all have taken the advertising rule over the top here. Just my humble opinion. Now I'm off to find some place where sharing isn't so restictive...

Me, too. I'm heading to where we are welcome and not held to different standards than others.

[kathleena]

- when posting a layout it should not be linked back to a gallery that is part of a store or have any stores/designers listed in the credits


As mentioned previously, this is a violation of Terms of Use and copyrights. We MUST post the designer's name if that is required by their TOU. Every finished product being posted in these threads are supposed to list all product used along with the product's designer - including the paper scrapped ones that are displayed. Instead of saying what you have here - if that is your real intent -then you should be saying instead that NO layouts, hybrid products etc are allowed because they are in copyright violation because the DIS won't allow the credits to be listed.

[nicurn]

How about instead punishing everyone that has enjoyed the DIS and the fun on the scrapbooking board, you point out to those in violation what the problem is. It just seem unfair to the masses that all of a sudden the rug is pulled out from under us in such an abrupt way.

Just because someone posts a link to a site where products can be purchased doesn't mean they get any personal gain from it. More often than not it's just a friendly way of sharing, just as those that post about sales at Target or Michael's or AC Moore or any other site - brick & mortar or internet - for physical products.

It just seems y'all have taken the advertising rule over the top here. Just my humble opinion. Now I'm off to find some place where sharing isn't so restictive...

I'm with robin... perhaps y'all should ban all the blinkies promoting design teams or whatever. this used to be a nice friendly welcoming place, not anymore. (and yes I understand what you are trying to do but there has to be a better way to do it.) Hope you will be enforcing your policy over on the dis design board...

off to find a user friendly place now. maggie

[kathleena]

Exactly! I've been around the Dis for awhile and there are always links to things whether it's cricut, AC Moore, or Joann's, etc. What difference is it to link to a site that has digi-stuff for sale? This is just wrong.

I agree with this. It's all or nothing. Makes no difference if it's me linking to a digisite or someone else linking to Wal-Mart.

[janette]

Guys,

The problem here is that we've had an influx of people who post here to promote their own commercial ventures. The DIS has always had rules that prohibit advertising or posting for personal gain, and that's what has seemingly run rampant here recently.

Did you read this part?



Again, what we're aiming to eliminate is those who are promoting themselves here for profit.

Why was the thread closed then? Many of the links were not by the designers or creative team but by people who found them. I know I've linked a few kits and freebies and I'm certainly not in either of those groups.

I agree with Robin, this was a great place and so glad that it was here for me to learn and get so much help with digital books. This new interpretation of the rules makes it just too hard. I'll find somewhere else; I'm mostly sorry for those that would like to learn and find information. It is hard to jump into the dedicated digital scrapbook sites and this little corner of the DIS provided a nice jumping ground to learn and for many talented people to share their work.

[LindaBabe]

YOU at the DIS do not have a scrapbook store or sell scrapbooking products. I Fail to see where these links are causing the DIS any problem at all. If people are posting links to their personal stores then punish THEM, not all of us.

I'm a traditional scrapper, but I will be taking further posting on this board under advisment. I would HOPE that y'all would listen to the voices of reason, some of whom you see above, before instituting an arbitrary and unnecessary blanket policy.

[stenogoddess]

Nevermind.

[rlovew]

As mentioned previously, this is a violation of Terms of Use and copyrights. We MUST post the designer's name if that is required by their TOU. Every finished product being posted in these threads are supposed to list all product used along with the product's designer - including the paper scrapped ones that are displayed. Instead of saying what you have here - if that is your real intent -then you should be saying instead that NO layouts, hybrid products etc are allowed because they are in copyright violation because the DIS won't allow the credits to be listed.

Can everyone post credits- the name of the designer without linking back to the store in any way, if you list the name of the designer without the store and a link would you be within your TOU- we are trying to come to a middle ground- allowing everyone to post while not being outside of the guidelines.

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Wow -- this makes me really sad. This is where I "learned" to digiscrap. So many wonderful people so generously shared their time, tips and resources with me. And I tried to pass on some of what I learned to others... Pay it forward, you know. This has been a wonderful little community to be a part of, and I feel like I have made some great friends over here. Sadly, I will not be hanging out over here anymore... These new guidelines make this board useless to digiscrappers. I won't post a layout without giving the credits as it is illegal, unethical, and simply rude to do so. And this board has been an amazing resource to me as far as products (both freebies and non).... I can't believe the product thread is gone! I didn't even know where or how to go about getting digi products when I first started... There are many other places where we can go be a "community," but it was so fun to share our love of Disney over here on the DIS... This is really, really sad.

[RRBB]

Wow -- this makes me really sad. This is where I "learned" to digiscrap. So many wonderful people so generously shared their time, tips and resources with me. And I tried to pass on some of what I learned to others... Pay it forward, you know. This has been a wonderful little community to be a part of, and I feel like I have made some great friends over here. Sadly, I will not be hanging out over here anymore... These new guidelines make this board useless to digiscrappers. I won't post a layout without giving the credits as it is illegal, unethical, and simply rude to do so. And this board has been an amazing resource to me as far as products (both freebies and non).... I can't believe the product thread is gone! I didn't even know where or how to go about getting digi products when I first started... There are many other places where we can go be a "community," but it was so fun to share our love of Disney over here on the DIS... This is really, really sad.
Yes, VERY sad. It seems such a big deal is being made over the sharing of information. It's not like it was being broadcast to the whole board. Digi scrappers make up a small subset of a subset of a subset of a subset of this site. And now we're being driven away. It's really too bad, but it is what it is. :(

[Disney Baby]

Most of the moderators are mainly traditional scrappers - they have their wish - the Digiscrappers are leaving them alone. I am so sad to leave but I hope that you will all stay in touch. I am going to www.mousescrappers.com to see if we can start to build a new home there.

[Monny2AE]

Can everyone post credits- the name of the designer without linking back to the store in any way, if you list the name of the designer without the store and a link would you be within your TOU- we are trying to come to a middle ground- allowing everyone to post while not being outside of the guidelines.

I understand about the middle ground and appreciate that the admins are trying to find it. I think most are upset because it came with little warning.

I think posting credits that way would work. But the whole purpose of the Post your Digital Links Thread was for just that- to post LINKS to share Disney related digital scrapbooking items with other digital scrappers, freebies or not. It made it easier to locate Disney digital stuff online.

[BernardandMissBianca]

Most of the moderators are mainly traditional scrappers - they have their wish - the Digiscrappers are leaving them alone. I am so sad to leave but I hope that you will all stay in touch. I am going to www.mousescrappers.com to see if we can start to build a new home there.

well I'm sorry you feel that way but it has nothing to do with traditional scrappers versus digi scrappers.

[Yzerbear19]

Just because someone posts a link to a site where products can be purchased doesn't mean they get any personal gain from it. More often than not it's just a friendly way of sharing, just as those that post about sales at Target or Michael's or AC Moore or any other site - brick & mortar or internet - for physical products.

It just seems y'all have taken the advertising rule over the top here. Just my humble opinion. Now I'm off to find some place where sharing isn't so restictive... I agree. It is way over the top. Posting about a sale at a certain site is no different than posting about a Cricut product on sale at AC Moore or Hobby Lobby. Other than one is a physical store and one is a digital store.

Wow -- this makes me really sad. This is where I "learned" to digiscrap. So many wonderful people so generously shared their time, tips and resources with me. And I tried to pass on some of what I learned to others... Pay it forward, you know. This has been a wonderful little community to be a part of, and I feel like I have made some great friends over here. Sadly, I will not be hanging out over here anymore... These new guidelines make this board useless to digiscrappers. I won't post a layout without giving the credits as it is illegal, unethical, and simply rude to do so. And this board has been an amazing resource to me as far as products (both freebies and non).... I can't believe the product thread is gone! I didn't even know where or how to go about getting digi products when I first started... There are many other places where we can go be a "community," but it was so fun to share our love of Disney over here on the DIS... This is really, really sad. I agree. This was where I first got introduced to digital scrapping and learned so much from those here. I found a lot of great stuff through the threads here when I first started. It so sad that the digiscrappers are being treated this way.

Most of the moderators are mainly traditional scrappers - they have their wish - the Digiscrappers are leaving them alone. I am so sad to leave but I hope that you will all stay in touch. I am going to www.mousescrappers.com to see if we can start to build a new home there. I also agree with you. This is no longer a place were dgiscrappers are welcome. So sad. I definitely will be going somewhere else since it is clear we are no longer welcome here.

[BernardandMissBianca]

I understand about the middle ground and appreciate that the admins are trying to find it. I think most are upset because it came with little warning.

I think posting credits that way would work. But the whole purpose of the Post your Digital Links Thread was for just that- to post LINKS to share Disney related digital scrapbooking items with other digital scrappers, freebies or not. It made it easier to locate Disney digital stuff online.

the links expanded to much more then that though. We are working on an index that will be stuck to the top of the scrapbooking forum or added to the first post of the digi FAQ thread that will be broken down into categories including disney-ish, baby, wedding, travel, etc.

[janette]

So the banning has begun, unbelievable how things work around here.

[DisneyCruiser2008]

So the banning has begun, unbelievable how things work around here.

UNBELIEVABLE isn't it???? ..... I am ashamed to be associated with this board!!!

[labdogs42]

I'm so totally bummed about this. I was annoyed when fridge swaps and photopass shares were banned, but I understood why. I can't get on board with the decision to ban promoting awesome digital stores and freebies. I have been a DIS-er for a long time now, but you'll be seeing a lot less of me now. This is so upsetting. The DIS was my digi-scrapping home. I always felt more comfortable here than on the other digi sites. We were such a fun little group of Disney digi fans! I hope we can make our new home just as (well, make that much MORE) welcoming! Hope to see everyone over there soon!

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Most of the moderators are mainly traditional scrappers - they have their wish - the Digiscrappers are leaving them alone. I am so sad to leave but I hope that you will all stay in touch. I am going to www.mousescrappers.com to see if we can start to build a new home there.

I just registered! Great place.... And traditional scrappers are welcomed too!! :cool1:

[Yzerbear19]

So the banning has begun, unbelievable how things work around here.

So sad. :(

[nicurn]

wow. I have never felt that paper scrappers didn't welcome the digi scrappers or that the digi scrappers didn't welcome the paper scrappers. sure there have been issues (like the digi challenges that you have to make disney related) but everyone was happy sharing information.

I do think that the board as it has grown has changed, it doesn't seem as close knit as it used to, it's still friendly but in more of an "aquaintance" way vs an "I got your back" way. it will only get worse if everyone starts pointing fingers and saying, oh the digi scrappers said this or the paper scrappers said that. y'all are all STILL scrappers and it doesn't matter how you do it. it's still the same end product.

could the rules have been presented in a better way, absolutely. now that they are out there again, maybe they will be enforced across the board and not just single out the scrappers (which is my gripe with them more than anything else).

that's all. :) going back to 2peas myself. Just thought it was getting a little uglier over here than it really needed to be.

[mommyofthreeboys]

I was annoyed when fridge swaps and photopass shares were banned, but I understood why. I can't get on board with the decision to ban promoting awesome digital stores and freebies. I have been a DIS-er for a long time now, but you'll be seeing a lot less of me now.

I so agree!

Fridge swaps. Done.
Photopass share. Done.
Stroller swaps. Over.
Digital stores/freebies. Over

What's next? I can't recommend a pair of comfortable shoes to wear in the parks??? What about all the Crocs talk and posting of sales/info? Where does this end??? Let me guess, I won't be able to share a packing list because it has moleskin on it??? Or I can't recommend bringing Crystal Light in packets.

Think about it. Where does it end?

I can tell you one thing, I booked my trip in 9 days with DU. My March cruise is booked with DU. I think it is time to 100% completely stop supporting ANYTHING on this site if that's the way its going to be. Ridiculous.


NEVER did I think this board would come to this.

Sad indeed.


Where will our new home be?

[latergator]

wow...i come back from vacation, pop on to see what goodies i have missed on my fave thread and - BOOM! very disappointing to say the least. seems things really could have been handled better. i was new here and was really enjoying the thread. i feel so bad for the true blue DISers that have really been hurt by this. :sad1: it's a dam* shame...

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Can one of the mods please respond to my question in this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33607978&posted=1#post33607978) thread? I'm just trying to understand the new rules.

ETA -- The same question would apply to this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2284831) thread, this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2283972) thread, and this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2285212) thread....

[labdogs42]

NEVER did I think this board would come to this.

Sad indeed.


Where will our new home be?

I think we are going to try http://www.mousescrappers.com/forum/index.php for our challenges now. It is a site for Disney scrappers (traditional and digital), so let's all head over there and give it a try!

BTW, I never thought any of this had to do with paper vs. digi scrappers. It is all a misunderstanding about designers participating in our board. The mods think those folks were here for self-promotion, where we all thought they were here because we enjoyed one another's company.

I had started a blog of all of my favorite Disney kits and freebies, but I haven't been keeping it up because the DIS had become such a fantastic resource. I guess I'll start updating that blog again! I don't know if I can get all the info on there that we had, but I can try!

[kathleena]

Can everyone post credits- the name of the designer without linking back to the store in any way, if you list the name of the designer without the store and a link would you be within your TOU- we are trying to come to a middle ground- allowing everyone to post while not being outside of the guidelines.

Too little too late. The time to discuss was before the "guidelines" (and lets face it, they are more like rules than guidelines, no they ARE rules, laws perhaps) were issued. That would have been the time to address the community and say - there are posts here that are beyond the rules here, we need to discuss to understand. Instead - you just make the rules without even knowing anything about copyright, get everyone upset and then try to come back and go to a middle ground?

Typical DIS behavior, I've seen it in other forums - make the rules, ban, then oops, we need to discuss. And the banning of one particular person here recently without discussion is just inexcusable. A PM to her explaining what what about to happen and why was in order. Just common courtesy to a person who is really nice.

I have always believed in a good neighbor policy - you don't call the cops on your neighbors until you discuss, unless it's life threatening. What you have done here is, you've called the cops and now trying to smooth it over. Doesn't work for me. I left the DVC forums over how their mods chose to operate, now I'm gone from here too.

And by the way - the people you are driving away are the ones that use your sponsors. Or rather used to use your sponsors. I know I won't be.

[labdogs42]

Oh yeah, one rhetorical/snarky question just for the record -- how do we know that the people posting Crocs deals or CVS deals don't work for thos companies? Hmmmm.... This whole thing just rubs me the wrong way, as the Budget board and Scrapbooking board are my favorite parts of the DIS and we really seem to be taking some heat lately. :sad2:

[BernardandMissBianca]

Can one of the mods please respond to my question in this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33607978&posted=1#post33607978) thread? I'm just trying to understand the new rules.

ETA -- The same question would apply to this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2284831) thread, this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2283972) thread, and this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2285212) thread....

Oh yeah, one rhetorical/snarky question just for the record -- how do we know that the people posting Crocs deals or CVS deals don't work for thos companies? Hmmmm.... This whole thing just rubs me the wrong way, as the Bidget board and Scrapbooking board are my favorite parts of the DIS and we really seem to be taking some heat lately. :sad2:

The threads here in the Creative Community forum are well within the guidelines because even though people are posting on these threads there are no blinkies, no links to "for sale" sites and blogs, and they are not repeatedly promoting these sites on a daily basis while having the above mentioned in their signatures. There is no personal gain by posting these kinds of enabler threads. I can not speak for the Crocs and CVS thread because I don't frequent those.

[kathleena]

The threads here in the Creative Community forum are well within the guidelines because even though people are posting on these threads there are no blinkies, no links to "for sale" sites and blogs, and they are not repeatedly promoting these sites on a daily basis while having the above mentioned in their signatures. There is no personal gain by posting these kinds of enabler threads. I can not speak for the Crocs and CVS thread because I don't frequent those.

How about this one, blatent advertising for etsy?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2265493

[BernardandMissBianca]

I can't see that link because it's been removed from admin. apparently is was in violation of the guidelines so thank you for bringing it to our attention.
If you ever see blatant advertising please use the triangle button in the user's avatar area so we can take care of it.

[thedisneydiva]

This is so sad. I cannot tell you how much information and inspiration I have received regarding digital scapbooking and where to find the disney related kits. I would know NOTHING if it weren't for these AWESOME ladies who have shared so much good information!

I will be joining you on the new site for sure! It's such a shame the way this happened, I have never encountered anything like this on the DIS.

[Stephres]

- you can provide information about places to find good deals/sales and such as people ask for information and you find it as long as you are not a member of a design team or designer for that store.

For the record I got a warning for doing this on the disboutiquers thread on the family board so this is not accurate information. Someone asked where to buy a digital design so I answered them. I was not affiliated with the store at all and still got a warning and was told I would get points if I did it again.

[jeffsamber]

Wow. That's a lot of drama.

DIS, thank you so much for all of the info that I've gathered here for my upcoming trip! I've been super excited to combine my love for Disney trips and my love for digital scrapbooking, but I gotta tell you in all love for you guys that this is more drama than I have time for. I'm such a rule follower that I'd be nervous all the time that I was doing something wrong. Really sucks the fun right out of it and scrapping Disney should definitely be fun.

Logging off. Won't be back. Don't have time.

[janette]

- you can provide information about places to find good deals/sales and such as people ask for information and you find it as long as you are not a member of a design team or designer for that store




It appears that one of my favorite stores is now an edited site, how am I going to let people know of deals there. Just when I think the administration can't suprise me a new low is reached.

Just checking the link www.*****************

[luv2scrapmm]

I too was new to the DIS boards and joined because of the digi-challenge thread since I was new to digi-scrapping and wanted to find more info about Disney-esque items. There is now no longer a reason for me to stay. I have my 2 favorite sites for planning and a community board that have always been very friendly and supportive. I'll be following many of you to the new place for inspiration to digi-scrap my Disney photos.

BTW- anyone know how to delete your profile? I no longer need it and would like to remove it. I saw someone posted this very question in the technical section on the 9th but there was no response unless they were possibly PM'd. I try to think the best of people and would hope that someone on the technical team responded to her.

[jacksonfarms46147]

This is ridiculous. While no one has mentioned her by name we are all well aware that Brittish Designs was banned for life. I'm sure there must have been others. When you make a rule change it is appropriate to allow people a period to adjust to the new rules. Not ban them for things they didn't even know they were violation of. I'm assuming that mods don't get paid and wonder at how they seem to have nothing better to do than to mess with the rules. I ADORED the Dis but now it is just a pain in the backside since you never know if some aspect of it you like is going to be changed willy nilly. You talk about the for profit line which makes no sense since this entire board is directly linked to the profit of a third party....Disney. I am a grown up and can decide for myself what to spend my money on..I don't need to be policed. No one is being taken advantage of. When I see a digital kit, whether it was posted by another member or the creator, I can decide for myself. I have never seen anyone on here OVERLY advertise anything which is the only time I can see your rules being helpful.
So knock it off... you're shooting yourself in the foot. You aren't going to have anyone to moderate if you keep it up. I would like to ask that you lift the ban on Brittish Designs and anyone else you kicked off without giving them time to adjust to the new rules. And apologize. The way this has been done was just silly. it would have been better to announce that on Oct. 1st these new rules will be implemented. No one likes a game where the rules are just changed as you go along. I would also like you to add a thread that is just for designers who are allowed to post their Disney related kits one time so that you will not rob the rest of us of a resource to find these items. If someone has a problem with with the for profit designers they simply don't visit that thread. Police that thread to your little hearts content.
I don't get the rule change as I cannot see how what we were doing here was hurting anyone.
Jodi

[tngirl1979]

Thank you for posting a wonderful post. I completely agree.

This is ridiculous. While no one has mentioned her by name we are all well aware that Brittish Designs was banned for life. I'm sure there must have been others. When you make a rule change it is appropriate to allow people a period to adjust to the new rules. Not ban them for things they didn't even know they were violation of. I'm assuming that mods don't get paid and wonder at how they seem to have nothing better to do than to mess with the rules. I ADORED the Dis but now it is just a pain in the backside since you never know if some aspect of it you like is going to be changed willy nilly. You talk about the for profit line which makes no sense since this entire board is directly linked to the profit of a third party....Disney. I am a grown up and can decide for myself what to spend my money on..I don't need to be policed. No one is being taken advantage of. When I see a digital kit, whether it was posted by another member or the creator, I can decide for myself. I have never seen anyone on here OVERLY advertise anything which is the only time I can see your rules being helpful.
So knock it off... you're shooting yourself in the foot. You aren't going to have anyone to moderate if you keep it up. I would like to ask that you lift the ban on Brittish Designs and anyone else you kicked off without giving them time to adjust to the new rules. And apologize. The way this has been done was just silly. it would have been better to announce that on Oct. 1st these new rules will be implemented. No one likes a game where the rules are just changed as you go along. I would also like you to add a thread that is just for designers who are allowed to post their Disney related kits one time so that you will not rob the rest of us of a resource to find these items. If someone has a problem with with the for profit designers they simply don't visit that thread. Police that thread to your little hearts content.
I don't get the rule change as I cannot see how what we were doing here was hurting anyone.
Jodi

[Monny2AE]

This is ridiculous. While no one has mentioned her by name we are all well aware that Brittish Designs was banned for life. I'm sure there must have been others. When you make a rule change it is appropriate to allow people a period to adjust to the new rules. Not ban them for things they didn't even know they were violation of. I'm assuming that mods don't get paid and wonder at how they seem to have nothing better to do than to mess with the rules. I ADORED the Dis but now it is just a pain in the backside since you never know if some aspect of it you like is going to be changed willy nilly. You talk about the for profit line which makes no sense since this entire board is directly linked to the profit of a third party....Disney. I am a grown up and can decide for myself what to spend my money on..I don't need to be policed. No one is being taken advantage of. When I see a digital kit, whether it was posted by another member or the creator, I can decide for myself. I have never seen anyone on here OVERLY advertise anything which is the only time I can see your rules being helpful.
So knock it off... you're shooting yourself in the foot. You aren't going to have anyone to moderate if you keep it up. I would like to ask that you lift the ban on Brittish Designs and anyone else you kicked off without giving them time to adjust to the new rules. And apologize. The way this has been done was just silly. it would have been better to announce that on Oct. 1st these new rules will be implemented. No one likes a game where the rules are just changed as you go along. I would also like you to add a thread that is just for designers who are allowed to post their Disney related kits one time so that you will not rob the rest of us of a resource to find these items. If someone has a problem with with the for profit designers they simply don't visit that thread. Police that thread to your little hearts content.
I don't get the rule change as I cannot see how what we were doing here was hurting anyone.
Jodi

I completely agree. I said the same thing regarding it being a choice to buy something. I like knowing what's available (free or for purchase) and am completely capable of making a decision to purchase something.
I agree that a thread of the "profitable resources" is a very good compromise. For those that are offended that someone with talent is making a small profit from selling something they worked hard to create, simply don't visit that thread.

[WebmasterKathy]

BTW- anyone know how to delete your profile? I no longer need it and would like to remove it. I saw someone posted this very question in the technical section on the 9th but there was no response unless they were possibly PM'd. I try to think the best of people and would hope that someone on the technical team responded to her.

Once a profile is created and used for posting here, it cannot be deleted. You can edit any of your information in that profile (except for the username). To stop participating, you simply stop posting.

To clear up one other issue: We will not discuss or debate details of any posters' situation with other posters. But I will say that the only accounts terminated recently for users active on this forum have been terminated due to advertising/personal business promotion issues, and only after those posters had received multiple warnings about those issues.


From our guidelines:
if its determined that you are using the DIS to promote a commercial venture, you will lose your posting privileges.

That is the crux of the issue here.

[Fran98765]

The only problem is that you are not playing fair with the paper scrappers. You slammed all the digital scrappers in the face with NO warning. And you don't care what advertising that the paper scrappers do. This is discrimination, and if I cared more, I could probably file a lawsuit.

Most of the paper scrappers have always been uppity about digital.. so now, I hope you are all happy that most of us are gone for good.... do you sleep well at night?

[BernardandMissBianca]

Fran you've been around long enough to know the rules about posting for sale ads, show me where paper scrappers have posted these and I will be happy to deal with them.

It is not about paper vs digital, it's about DIS posters posting for sale ads to make a profit. Period.

[DisneyCruiser2008]

This is discrimination, and if I cared more, I could probably file a lawsuit.


You are right. I was thinking the same thing. I have seen the Office of Civil Rights get involved for things that are a lot less discriminatory than this.

I am not speaking for Britt, but I have a feeling, after the way she was treated, she wouldn't come back to this board even IF the ban was lifted. She went OUT OF HER way to make sure she never used this board as a means for promoting her products. The people on this board love Disney. So does Britt. And she happens to make awesome Disneyesque digi products that are perfect for scrapping Disney LOs... there are actually not very many digi designers out there that make them. So, OBVIOUSLY, some of the layouts shared here contained her products. SO WHAT? It's like saying I am "advertising" for Levis just because I like to wear their jeans. Good grief.

We have moved on. Visit MouseScrappers.com (http://www.mousescrappers.com/forum/index.php).

[janette]

Fran you've been around long enough to know the rules about posting for sale ads, show me where paper scrappers have posted these and I will be happy to deal with them.

It is not about paper vs digital, it's about DIS posters posting for sale ads to make a profit. Period.

Show us one that Britt made, she never posted about her own kits. Sometimes her creative team did but I wouldn't have thought that against the rules until it became so a couple of days ago. She did give freebies and prizes but again we didn't see that as advertising just generous.

If someone had taken the time to better understand the blogs and stores of the digital scrappers you'd realize that the rules are completely insane to try deal with. Almost every freebie is linked to a Designer who either has a store or is testing to see if people like their products. If we can't share this information then the site is useless to us.

I don't think it was necessarily malicious just definitely badly handled; I've also been around long enough to know that there is no compromise on this site even for bad decisions.

Doesn't really matter for me, I don't need this site. I am very thankfully that these rules weren't in place 2 yrs ago when I started digi scrapping and I'm sorry for the ones that come after who really won't know what they've lost.

[nicurn]

oh good grief, REALLY??? Not sure when it became all about digi vs paper but this is insane. I seriously doubt she got banned because her kits were mentioned, it was more likely the over promotion by her pals... "oh she has a great new kit" and then a link to it. And let's be honest here, the digi challenges were NOT fun unless you had disney pictures. People who wanted to play but didn't have disney pictures were not welcome at all. (and yes I know this is the disboard but it doesn't always have to be disney all the time) everyone needs to get a grip. if you aren't happy about whatever then please go play elsewhere and give the mods a break. (and everyone else for that matter)

[janette]

I agree it's not about digi vs paper, challenges or even one designer; however the new rules are very slanted towards digi scrappers and what / how we post. I'm not a designer and not a part of any creative team but I want to be able to post my pages and see other peoples. I want to share and have other people share links to great kits and freebies.

The rules won't allow that, don't worry this will die down in a few days and most of the digi scrappers won't be back. It really isn't our loss; this site won't have many digi scrappers and people will just have to go elsewhere for the information unless the moderators decide they might want to do research before coming in with a iron fist and find rules that are reasonable for digi scrapbooking. Maybe eventually the digi scrap group here will grow again with new people.

[BernardandMissBianca]

Show us one that Britt made, she never posted about her own kits. Sometimes her creative team did but I wouldn't have thought that against the rules until it became so a couple of days ago. She did give freebies and prizes but again we didn't see that as advertising just generous.



just going through the challenges out of the first 34, 21 are directly related to Britt, either GC to her store (promotional because kits are more then $5 so money is exchanged for goods, some are freebies which then leads to purchases, again promotional). Someone told me there is a huge amount of digital info out there then why are the scales tipped in Britts favor?

Now, it's lunch time here. I'm going to go feed my kid and husband.

[janette]

just going through the challenges out of the first 34, 21 are directly related to Britt, either GC to her store (promotional because kits are more then $5 so money is exchanged for goods, some are freebies which then leads to purchases, again promotional). Someone told me there is a huge amount of digital info out there then why are the scales tipped in Britts favor?

Now, it's lunch time here. I'm going to go feed my kid and husband.

The challenges have been around for more than a year with the prizes & freebies; only in the past week did this become against the rules. The lack of a designer being to provide prizes and freebies for challenges isn't even an issue; some challenges didn't even have have a prize and that is fine they are fun and a great motivator without one.

Britt just happens to love Disney and makes some of the best Disney-ish kits even if she never posted here I'd have been able to find her store. Actually I found her store through the FAQ but it wasn't listed at that time in the first section so my initial Digi scrapping purchases were not her products. The challenges weren't a motivator at all I was afraid of those for a long time. :scared1:

I do have an issue that prevents me from linking Britt's store or any other digital store that has freebies because they also have items for sale. I get no benefit. Making a digital scrapbook store restricted from links tips the scale in favor of designers that sale at other sites. Are we going to start restricted other stores?

The Digital Gallery thread has lost several pictures; only one gallery attached to a store has been lost. Not all. I want to be able to share work from any gallery I post in; having to load pictures again in different galleries just to post them on this site is too much trouble. And we still have the issue of not being able to even give credits; I really liked having the credits right there on everyones pages so if I needed something they had I could find it; most credits are just designer names you have to go search to find their store as they aren't always in the store that sponsers the gallery.

[mommyofthreeboys]

either GC to her store (promotional because kits are more then $5 so money is exchanged for goods, some are freebies which then leads to purchases, again promotional).


Not necessary. I looked at her store and she has 177 --yes, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SEVEN items that are available that are UNDER $5. There does NOT have to be any exchange of money. Again, no one forcing you to spend more. You have 177 different items you can use your GC on, many options available too--getting 2 or 3 things with a $5 GC.

And how does a freebie lead to a purchase???? :confused3 Help me understand that. The freebies that were available was NO strings attached. Free. That's it. Free. Period. Free. Free=able to do something without will;provided without a charge.

Someone told me there is a huge amount of digital info out there then why are the scales tipped in Britts favor?


Becaue she is the BEST!!! She provides tons of freebies (see above for definition) She does things the right way and NEVER puts anything in her store for sale that is Disney related.
Look at all the other links that charge for their kits and they are Disney related. Britt has always done things by the book. She is generous. She is helpful. She is kind with her words--always giving praise to us digital scrappers no matter what kit you have used. And she did not deserve to be treated like she did.



Now, it's lunch time here. I'm going to go feed my kid and husband.

What does this have to do with this topic?:confused3

[nicurn]

.

I'm sorry for the ones that come after who really won't know what they've lost.


I wouldn't worry, there are plenty of talented digi scrappers still here and plenty of people who are perfectly capable of answering questions.

[BernardandMissBianca]

What does this have to do with this topic?:confused3

uh, because I didn't want anyone to think I cut and run. I do have a life outside the DIS.
I'm done engaging for now, headed to school to feed 100 kids ice cream for reading over summer.

Enjoy the rest of your day ladies.

[wenrob]

I wasn't going to comment at all, just be on way but I can't let a couple of things go.

As one of "Britt's Pals" I have never directly linked one of Britt's kits. I have linked my LO to the gallery for credits simply because I was too lazy to type them all out. That's it, no ulterior motive. I had her blinkie in my sig, no link per the rules because I'm a fan. People want to know where I got that cool kit of course I'm going to point them to Britt same as a paper scrapper would point someone to Micheal's.:confused3

No one had a problem with this for 15months and suddenly they do. Why couldn't we have gotten a heads up rather the rug ripped out from under us. I think that's why most people are upset.

But the main reason I decided to post is I can't stand by and watch Britt be portrayed as some kind of deceitful, gold digging, sneak. She is one of the kindest, most generous, HONEST people you will ever meet. Her motivations were and always have been pure: She loves Disney and she loves scrapping and she came to the DIS to share. You have a problem with her "pals" you should have punished us not her.

[wenrob]

I wouldn't worry, there are plenty of talented digi scrappers still here and plenty of people who are perfectly capable of answering questions.
I wouldn't be too sure as they're no longer allowed to share their resources or give credit. That's not really going to be helpful.

[SUZI]

And let's be honest here, the digi challenges were NOT fun unless you had disney pictures. People who wanted to play but didn't have disney pictures were not welcome at all.

Actually, there was a compromise: here is the link to the 1st non-Disney digi challenge http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1950841 This was hosted by Christy. Interestingly, no one else volunteered to host another of these challenges.


Now on to the topic of this thread. I have a question. Please look at post #3 on this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2286389
Post#3 (written by a moderator) has a link to another person's blog, where items are SOLD. I would appreciate an explanation as to how this is allowed. Thank you.

[BernardandMissBianca]

Because I don't work for her, she doesn't post here and I have no vested interest in her or her endeavors.

[labdogs42]

Because I don't work for her, she doesn't post here and I have no vested interest in her or her endeavors.

But what if you did know Becky Higgins and what if she did decide to join the DIS? Then you couldn't say what a great blog she has? See, that's the problem.

Britt is a regular person who happens to design fabulous products and happened to join the DIS. I feel really awful because I'm the one who introduced her to the DIS. I know for a fact that she understood that she couldn't post about her own products (the for sale ones). We talked about that. Neither she nor I nor the other digi girls ever thought that her giving away freebies and prizes for the challenges was a violation of the DIS's advertising policy. Seriously. I know she wouldn't have done it if she thought she couldn't. The whole thing is just sad. We made a lot of good friends here on the DIS scrapbooking threads and I just feel like we're bring kicked out.

BTW, I do plan to stick around, so I'll try to answer the newbie digi scrapper questions and send them to forums where their questions can be safely answered without fear of violating any guidelines.

[janette]

Because I don't work for her, she doesn't post here and I have no vested interest in her or her endeavors.


- you may provide links to places that have freebies and no items for sale - if they have items for sale then the freebies are for advertising and links to them will not be allowed (this includes links to digital sites and ebay/etsy sites for traditional scrappers)


According to the new rules it doesn't matter, I'd read this to mean that we can't link to designers blogs. What's the difference :confused3

[mommyofthreeboys]

How do we know you don't own stock in a company? Even though you aren't the owner, you have a vested interest in the company.

[nicurn]

wow... if y'all are so happy on mousescrappers why are you still here complaining? it's done, over, etc. links can still be posted to the freebie websites, people can still give advice on digital programs and layouts can still be posted without hotlinks to people's stores. People will still be able to find britt-ish designs and all the other equally fabulous digi kits out there. The tos just say to give credit, doesn't say link to their store....

[BernardandMissBianca]

But what if you did know Becky Higgins and what if she did decide to join the DIS? Then you couldn't say what a great blog she has? See, that's the problem.

Britt is a regular person who happens to design fabulous products and happened to join the DIS. I feel really awful because I'm the one who introduced her to the DIS. I know for a fact that she understood that she couldn't post about her own products (the for sale ones). We talked about that. Neither she nor I nor the other digi girls ever thought that her giving away freebies and prizes for the challenges was a violation of the DIS's advertising policy. Seriously. I know she wouldn't have done it if she thought she couldn't. The whole thing is just sad. We made a lot of good friends here on the DIS scrapbooking threads and I just feel like we're bring kicked out.

BTW, I do plan to stick around, so I'll try to answer the newbie digi scrapper questions and send them to forums where their questions can be safely answered without fear of violating any guidelines.

Well then no I can't go on and on about how fabulous she is (and only in my wildest dreams would I be friends with the likes Becky Higgins, we don't exactly run around in the same circles ;) ), but those are the rules as they are written right now and I need to follow them. Obviously there is nothing set in stone here. We can and are working on changing a few things to make things a little clearer. But there has to be a line drawn, this is a huge site with over 100,000 registered users. Would you want to muck through ad after ad after ad to get to the bones of the boards? They would lose their value as a Disney site. Pete has sponsors and this is his board and that's the way he wants it, who am I to tell him otherwise.

I do appreciate you sticking around, I enjoy your knowledge in scrapping and in the digital world. While I'm not a fan of digi scrapping my self (I'm kind of a paper freak) I do appreciate the talent it takes to design your layouts and how great they look. Let me know if you need anything to help facilitate the needs of digi scrappers.
Hopefully Rebecca will have the new index up and running before the weekend is out but she is going to Disney on Tuesday (I'm so jealous!). If there are any links or what not that would be of use in the FAQ or the links thread please feel free to PM me any time but tomorrow, I'm learning how to drive a right hand drive, stick shift car! Pray for me!!! :rotfl2:

[janette]

The tos just say to give credit, doesn't say link to their store....

According to the new rules you can't do that.

- when posting a layout it should not be linked back to a gallery that is part of a store or have any stores/designers listed in the credits

[Photobee]

ok, I've been quiet...but I'm confused!

Are we not allowed to link to an online site at all? If we are allowed to link to different sites, why are some allowed while others are not?

Here is an example: Read the post by eranslow. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2280415&page=3 Her credits are linked to Digiscrapaddicts (No offense to you eranslow, you are just my example). She has not linked her layout, but her credits. However, anything linked to Scrapmatters (Gallery, store, etc) is not allowed.

In that same thread, scroll down to Designer Brittney's layout. She has posted the layout not linked, but linked her Credits...but they are edited.

Just trying to clarify why some linking is allowed and others are not.

[Neverland Scraps]

ok, I've been quiet...but I'm confused!

Are we not allowed to link to an online site at all? If we are allowed to link to different sites, why are some allowed while others are not?

Here is an example: Read the post by eranslow. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2280415&page=3 Her credits are linked to Digiscrapaddicts (No offense to you eranslow, you are just my example). She has not linked her layout, but her credits. However, anything linked to Scrapmatters (Gallery, store, etc) is not allowed.

In that same thread, scroll down to Designer Brittney's layout. She has posted the layout not linked, but linked her Credits...but they are edited.

Just trying to clarify why some linking is allowed and others are not.

Yes I am really confused about the linking because I posted a post earlier tonight and was able to link to one designer's store but not the other. It didn't make any sense to me at all why I could do the one store but not the other--they were the same "themed" product, I dont get it :confused3

[BernardandMissBianca]

You are allowed to link to a site, as long as it's not your site where you either sell items or are part of a design team and it's also not done incessantly. In crediting you may type the credits below the image but the image itself can not be linked to a "for profit" site.
We have not had the opportunity to change everyone's credits to be typed instead of linked as of yet, this takes a lot of time.
Scrapmatters is currently blocked here, if you have any questions regarding that please contact Admin at Admin@wdwinfo.com

The mods are currently working on clarifying the rules and we are taking your wording, questions, and suggestions into account.

[RRBB]

You are allowed to link to a site, as long as it's not your site where you either sell items or are part of a design team and it's also not done incessantly.So basically your saying if you're a designer or on a design team, you are not allowed to the site where the products came from if it's the site where you sell your products. But if you are not a designer or on a design team, you can link to the site where you got the products. All this with the caveat that if it's from ScrapMatters, no matter whether you have design ties there or not, you cannot link back to that site.

Is that what's meant?

And when you say design team, are you also lumping in creative team members into this? (Because there's a difference between design teams and creative teams.)

[BernardandMissBianca]

Do the creative team and the design team both reap the same benefits like free product or any kind of reward for bringing in sales?

[BernardandMissBianca]

Oops forgot to answer part of your question, yes you can post a link to a site that got product from, like in the thread where Neverland Scraps posted about Star Wars, This was an informational thread and the image was used as reference. But say I had a place where I was selling digital kits (just an example because it's pretty darn safe to say I'll never do that LOL) and you were my bestest buddy in the whole wide world, even though you are not part of the team we don't want you posting tons and tons of links and images to my site because in a way that benefits me which is a no-no since I post here too.

Part of the problem with the digital links thread was that it became a show boat for the latest product, image after image of new stuff. The princess kits come to mind with that (because I thought they were sooo cool so I remember them). If you did a layout with say the Beast kit and someone was asking about princesses you could post your layout and a link to where you got the kit from, but if it's like here here and here are the new princess kits, essentially you(not the specific you, the general you) are turning the DIS into a second store for that person.

Clear as mud right?

[RRBB]

Do the creative team and the design team both reap the same benefits like free product or any kind of reward for bringing in sales?
Since I'm not part of either, I can't really say for sure what the benefits are. But my belief is that a design team is made up of designers/creators of products while creative team members create layouts and other items to show how the products can be used.

Beyond that, someone that's actually on one of these teams will have to respond. All I know is I've seen some great stuff from these talented ladies and I want to be them when I grow up. :rotfl:

[sahlink]

Do the creative team and the design team both reap the same benefits like free product or any kind of reward for bringing in sales?


Since I'm not part of either, I can't really say for sure what the benefits are. But my belief is that a design team is made up of designers/creators of products while creative team members create layouts and other items to show how the products can be used.

Beyond that, someone that's actually on one of these teams will have to respond. All I know is I've seen some great stuff from these talented ladies and I want to be them when I grow up. :rotfl:

Yes, RRBB you are absolutely correct with what designers do vs. what a person on a creative team does. Creative Teams receive no reward or anything for bringing in sales. They are regular people, just like you or I scrapping their families memories or vacations...thats it. They just give the rights for a designer to show what they've scrapped. BernardandMissBianca makes it seems like a dirty, type of sales job and it is just plain not true.

[wtrmlnlabs]

Wow, I'm just glad to see I'm not the only one that found this shocking. I check the board everyday, this is where I started digiscrapping and found all my Disney stuff. I was bummed that I was now "on my own". So I wanted to thank all of you for the information on the new place, I'm headed there now to check it out. I don't understand what happened here, I thought the whole point of the thing was to show others where to find the VERY hard to find Disney scrap stuff, I know, I was looking for two months for stuff till I did something and found you wonderful group of people! (hey, look how long it's taken me to find this thread after the other was closed!) I never cared who it came from, how else would some people know you had a new kit or started doing it if you didn't tell them:confused3 But I also don't understand why certain info isn't allowed to be shared to save $$ (I won't mention it here or my thread will be deleted as I've learned with past posts). Kinda the point of forums in my life, how to save $$$.
Anyway, thank you all for all you've done for myself and so many other new digiscrappers, you're great, and I hope to find you all at mousescrappers. :grouphug:

[notes4theheart]

Now, I love Mark and I'm SO greatful that he shares his photos...

but he shares his photos on SmugMug, a service, that if we were to buy his photo from that site, would charge a commission and that commission would be returned to him. Thus, it's a FOR PROFIT site.

Yet, a moderator is encouraging his thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1537784

and his threads here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1740547), here (http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2268920) and here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2270036) link to his smugmug gallery.

Again, his SmugMug gallery, if we were to purchase from him is FOR PROFIT.

He's being kind and offering them to be downloaded for FREE, but so was Britt with her Freebies...

How is this fair?

[BernardandMissBianca]

I want to be them when I grow up. :rotfl:

you and me both, I'm not that talented!

Yes, RRBB you are absolutely correct with what designers do vs. what a person on a creative team does. Creative Teams receive no reward or anything for bringing in sales. They are regular people, just like you or I scrapping their families memories or vacations...thats it. They just give the rights for a designer to show what they've scrapped. BernardandMissBianca makes it seems like a dirty, type of sales job and it is just plain not true.

I will mention this to the Webmasters, but as long as the creative team members don't receive promotional items then that's fine they can post the image with the accredited information below it. I'm not trying to make it sound dirty but when you own a store, especially an internet based store, you need to build a customer base and forums such as these are a good place to do that. However, the powers that be don't want it that way.

I'm sure you can become a DIS advertiser by contacting Corey@wdwinfo.com I am trying to get more details on this now, but since it's the weekend I don't know when I will have more info.

Now, I love Mark and I'm SO greatful that he shares his photos...

but he shares his photos on SmugMug, a service, that if we were to buy his photo from that site, would charge a commission and that commission would be returned to him. Thus, it's a FOR PROFIT site.

Yet, a moderator is encouraging his thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1537784

and his threads here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1740547), here (http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2268920) and here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2270036) link to his smugmug gallery.

Again, his SmugMug gallery, if we were to purchase from him is FOR PROFIT.

He's being kind and offering them to be downloaded for FREE, but so was Britt with her Freebies...

How is this fair?
I'm not sure about the Smug Mug site, I would have to defer to the WebMasters on that one.
And while I understand that Nancy is a Mod, but at the the time the thread with Mark's photo's was started she was not, so she is not exactly encouraging breaking the rules.
I will ask the WM for clarification on SmugMug and I will get back to you as soon as I hear something.

[labdogs42]

wow... if y'all are so happy on mousescrappers why are you still here complaining? it's done, over, etc. links can still be posted to the freebie websites, people can still give advice on digital programs and layouts can still be posted without hotlinks to people's stores. People will still be able to find britt-ish designs and all the other equally fabulous digi kits out there. The tos just say to give credit, doesn't say link to their store....


I for one, am not happy that I now have to go to MouseScrappers to hang out with the people I consider my DIS friends. I will do what I have to do, but I wish this whole thing hadn't blown up this way and that we could just go on the way we were. I think we're all just trying to make the best of a bad situation by going to a different site.

Perhaps the mods should consider having some more levels of advertising and offering them to people who seem to advertise "too much" instead of banning them right away. It seems like that could be win win instead of lose lose. This whole thing was just handled so poorly. I feel like I'm back at work with a crappy management team that makes snap decisions then tries to backpedal after the fact! :scared1:

Miss Bianca, I know this is isn't your doing and you're just stuck bearing the message! I hope you don't think I'm complaining about you!

[Fran98765]

My primary issue with the new rules is that paper scrappers are throwing links around and it's fine but we are restricted and moderated excessively on digital links. You are not being fair towards digital scrapper's resources, but you toss around websites to buy paper and it's just fine. I know you will say that I'm making money off of it somehow, but guess what... I'm not. Not one lousy dime. Since I posted all those "princess" kits that were referred to, I posted them because I thought they would be of interest to the scrappers here, since good Disney-esque kits are hard to find. Not to boost sales for anyone. It's called sharing information. Period.

And if I came and posted when those princess kits were on sale, well seriously think about it... how the heck is that different from you posting sales at Joanne's or Mouse Memories? Honestly. I thought I was doing a service to the members of the DIS, in our hard economy.

Scrap Matters played a large role in some of the layouts posted here because of lot of us frequent that site, not because Britt was here advertising. It is a very good scrapbook site, so we toss that around like you toss Mouse Memories around, to which you just did in a new post I read a few minutes ago.

I don't think Walmart, Michael's, Target, Joanne's or Hobby Lobby advertises on the DIS, I request that no sales or clearances to those stores ever be posted about again. All threads already posted with these sorts of posts should also be locked immediately. That would only be fair.

And since you mentioned Creative Teams, members of CTs are given scrap kits to work with at no cost, to make layouts for the designer. CT members do not get money for this. If you want to make a comparison, it would be similar to someone working as a cashier or other job for Michael's/Joanne's/etc. And I know that people that have worked at those type of craft stores have come posting about sales before they are advertised to the public. Yes, they get money from those companies, but they are not paid extra for sharing sale information here, they share that information to benefit the DIS member. Information only. Just like our one thread with Disney Digital kits. The one thread where we contained all of that information. Not like the hundreds of Enabler/On sale/etc threads for paper scrapbookers.

What hurts most is the way this was done. If I were a moderator here and was told by the higher ups to enforce these rules (assuming this is what happened), I would have made a post. One where I would have mentioned the rules, and that they would be enforced more now. And to list clearly what is allowed and not allowed. Even at this point you don't seem to know fully what is allowed and not allowed. The way it was done hurt people. You have hurt many people.

[rlovew]

My primary issue with the new rules is that paper scrappers are throwing links around and it's fine but we are restricted and moderated excessively on digital links.

Both traditional and digital scrappers have had posts deleted due to this rule- at least 1 traditional thread was completely deleted rather than closed.

I don't think Walmart, Michael's, Target, Joanne's or Hobby Lobby advertises on the DIS, I request that no sales or clearances to those stores ever be posted about again. All threads already posted with these sorts of posts should also be locked immediately. That would only be fair.

You may request anything you like but the webmasters have said this is okay and they are the ones who make the rules. As I mentioned in the thread about the digital kits- you are welcome to post an enabler alert to a digital kit or sale if you are not a designer or ct member for that site.


What hurts most is the way this was done. If I were a moderator here and was told by the higher ups to enforce these rules (assuming this is what happened), I would have made a post. One where I would have mentioned the rules, and that they would be enforced more now. And to list clearly what is allowed and not allowed. Even at this point you don't seem to know fully what is allowed and not allowed. The way it was done hurt people. You have hurt many people.

You may not have liked the way it was done but whether the new rules had been posted by a moderator or a webmaster you still would not have liked them and that is the main issue there- since the webmaster are the ones who make the final rulings on things we felt it would come better from them. None of us wanted to hurt anyone and we are trying to ask more questions and clarify some things based on points people have made.

Rebecca

[PrincessNancy96]

Ok, I have been sick all week and wanted to be able to think clearly before posting..

While I understand that many are hurt, I have been reading and absorbing everything you have had to say and asking questions to digital scrappers I know in regards to crediting and not having the credits attached to links. I have been told it is do-able.


We have been trying to figure out an amicable solution to the confusion.

The big problem was self promotion. It was not by one person, believe me we had posters on arts&crafts, scrapbooking and even the swap forum.

As for the smugmug site.. .I started that way before I was a mod and at no time until just recently did I realize there could be profit.. However, with that in mind, you have the option to save it to your hard drive and print elsewhere.
The most important thing I believe is not to drag Mark into this. He is a valuable member of the DIS who was/is doing a great thing to allow us use of his photos.

This has never and will never be digital vs traditional.. the problem is advertising.

While you all are upset, I totally understand that.. you have to believe Buffy, Rebecca and I have been in discussions with the WMs to clarify things and come to compromises. We had several PMs stating concerns and solutions and we have been working on them.

[DisneyCruiser2008]

The most important thing I believe is not to drag Mark into this. He is a valuable member of the DIS who was/is doing a great thing to allow us use of his photos.


I agree -- I think Mark is amazingly talented and beyond generous.... sharing his fabulous photos with all of us is a GREAT THING. On the same note.... Britt is EQUALLY amazing and generous, and the freebies she repeatedly shared with members of this community were appreciated beyond words by all of us who digiscrap...

[wtrmlnlabs]

I agree -- I think Mark is amazingly talented and beyond generous.... sharing his fabulous photos with all of us is a GREAT THING. On the same note.... Britt is EQUALLY amazing and generous, and the freebies she repeatedly shared with members of this community were appreciated beyond words by all of us who digiscrap...

:thumbsup2

[labdogs42]

I agree -- I think Mark is amazingly talented and beyond generous.... sharing his fabulous photos with all of us is a GREAT THING. On the same note.... Britt is EQUALLY amazing and generous, and the freebies she repeatedly shared with members of this community were appreciated beyond words by all of us who digiscrap...


Here's an analogy -- Mark is to paper scrappers as Britt is to digi scrappers. I love Mark, too, and use his pictures. I would NOT want to see him banned. That's how I feel about Britt. I"m devastated that she was treated this way -- the way people on the photo and scrap board would feel if Mark was instantly banned with no notice and not allowed to share his extensive talents with all of us. I just don't understand why some people don't understand this.

[stormer]

Here's an analogy -- Mark is to paper scrappers as Britt is to digi scrappers. I love Mark, too, and use his pictures. I would NOT want to see him banned. That's how I feel about Britt. I"m devastated that she was treated this way -- the way people on the photo and scrap board would feel if Mark was instantly banned with no notice and not allowed to share his extensive talents with all of us. I just don't understand why some people don't understand this.

I agree completely. I never felt pressure to buy anything.

[nicurn]

perhaps it is time to actually lock this thread because at this point it's just beating a dead horse. Or just shut down the whole board til y'all get all the rules clarified and can post them neatly at the top of the board. that way, no one else gets dragged into the fray... (specifically people who don't even post on the scrapboards...)

[mommyofthreeboys]

Oops forgot to answer part of your question, yes you can post a link to a site that got product from, like in the thread where Neverland Scraps posted about Star Wars, This was an informational thread and the image was used as reference. But say I had a place where I was selling digital kits (just an example because it's pretty darn safe to say I'll never do that LOL) and you were my bestest buddy in the whole wide world, even though you are not part of the team we don't want you posting tons and tons of links and images to my site because in a way that benefits me which is a no-no since I post here too.



SO help me understand a little further....since Designer Brittany is now banned forever from this site, anyone (including me) can post links to her products???

[janette]

SO help me understand a little further....since Designer Brittany is now banned forever from this site, anyone (including me) can post links to her products???

No you can't because they've blocked her blog
http://*************************.com/ Really too bad since someone new could go there do a search on freebies and get enough great Disney stuff to start digi scrapping without spending a dime. The store seems to have been removed from the blocked list so I guess we can link her for sale products but not the freebies :confused3

[Neverland Scraps]

Oops forgot to answer part of your question, yes you can post a link to a site that got product from, like in the thread where Neverland Scraps posted about Star Wars, This was an informational thread and the image was used as reference. But say I had a place where I was selling digital kits (just an example because it's pretty darn safe to say I'll never do that LOL) and you were my bestest buddy in the whole wide world, even though you are not part of the team we don't want you posting tons and tons of links and images to my site because in a way that benefits me which is a no-no since I post here too.


But I wasn't able to link to both kits in that thread. I could link to the one, but not the other. I thought I was doing something wrong and just decided to post it anyways. Then you came along and said to pm the person the link. Im not outgoing enough to bother someone in their pm about a link, photo, etc. That's why I do the forums. I can post and if they want to read it great...if not, then I didn't bother them or intrude in their personal space. I felt very uncomfortable pm'ing the woman the information and hope she wasn't upset with my intrusion.

[rlovew]

But I wasn't able to link to both kits in that thread. I could link to the one, but not the other. I thought I was doing something wrong and just decided to post it anyways. Then you came along and said to pm the person the link. Im not outgoing enough to bother someone in their pm about a link, photo, etc. That's why I do the forums. I can post and if they want to read it great...if not, then I didn't bother them or intrude in their personal space. I felt very uncomfortable pm'ing the woman the information and hope she wasn't upset with my intrusion.

One store was originally blocked by the webmasters and is now off the blocked list.

[Neverland Scraps]

You may request anything you like but the webmasters have said this is okay and they are the ones who make the rules. As I mentioned in the thread about the digital kits- you are welcome to post an enabler alert to a digital kit or sale if you are not a designer or ct member for that site.


And who monitors this?!

I am not on Britt's CT. I have NEVER been on her CT, but I will promote her kits and any other designer's product that I know about. But that doesn't mean Im a CT Member. I own over 67 digital scrapbooking kits of a designer named Flergs (Megan Farrow) I scrap with her products ALL the time. Does that mean Im on her CT? No, it just means I spent a lot of money in her store. To truly be on someone's CT, they have to pick you, give you some sort of access to their products. You cant just say "Oh Im on Said Designers CT" just because I have a lot of their products. That's not the way a CT position works. Trust me, I would LOVE to be on several designer's CT's, but I've never been picked for that wonderful opportunity!

So really, who is the one monitoring who's CT we are on compared to who's store we frequent and make purchases? I'd hate to be banned because someone thought I was on a CT when I am not.

And just for the record, I am on ONE designers personal CT and have been so for over a year. When we signed up to be part of the board, there were no "write down your CT's" forum and come back each time you make an adjustment to your CT clause.

Honestly if there is such forum, then you need to do it for the traditional scrappers as far as where they work because if they work at JoAnns and are promoting a product at JoAnns, its no different than a person scrapping for Said Designer.

What really decides where to draw the line and how do you monitor such things? There are so many people here to keep track of, just how do you do it? I understand designers promoting themselves. That's understandable. But stretching it to CT's and people working for companies (JoAnns) just seems like it is stretching way too far.

By the way we recently moved down south and I went inside my first Hobby Lobby Store. If I start talking about the deals, fabrics and awesome sales they have there does that mean Im spamming Hobby Lobby? I should hope not, especially if I am helping another scrapper (digital or traditional) create their fabulous pages from my finds.

Please dont be mad at me. Im not attacking anyone. I want to know some things because I truly want to stick around and be part of the community. But I also dont want to feel like Im stepping on toes with posts and answering/promoting my digital finds, you know what I mean? Im not looking to be banned but looking more for clarification and understanding

[Neverland Scraps]

One store was originally blocked by the webmasters and is now off the blocked list.

Good I am glad to see that because there are a ton of fabulous creations over there and it wasn't fair to the other designers to be punished:littleangel:

[rlovew]

Some of it is a honor system but if the moderators or webmaster see one person bombarding the board with someone's stuff they will be issued a warning. If no one can tell from your posts you are a member of the ct then you won't have any problem.

The webmasters have already told the moderators if their is an inordinate threads on one designer or store (particularly all posted at once) it will be looked at as advertising and the site will be blocked.

Posting an enabler alert when your favorite designer comes out with a new kit is just fine - in addition I will have the digital links thread up on Monday and if you pm me I will add a link to the kit in that thread in the appropriate category.

Rebecca

[notes4theheart]

I agree -- I think Mark is amazingly talented and beyond generous.... sharing his fabulous photos with all of us is a GREAT THING. On the same note.... Britt is EQUALLY amazing and generous, and the freebies she repeatedly shared with members of this community were appreciated beyond words by all of us who digiscrap...

Which is precisely why I mentioned him. Yes, Mark could profit, but he gives us stuff for free anyway. Britt could also profit but she herself has only given stuff away. They are both so comparable.

Brit was banned because other Dis-ers recommended her product for purchase. She herself only ever gave things away for free...

[Caitsmama]

Ugh.. i have resisted posting for so long.. I can honestly see BOTH sides to this -- to a point.

However, i think as the Mod's are trying to compromise - in the process, (and i am speaking only for myself here) it seems to be getting more and more confusing as to when/why we can or can't link... It seems the "gray area" is starting to increase, which in causing more confusion..

I guess i don't see the difference b/w a CT/DT person promoting a kit, or someone (who is just a *fan* of a designer) linking to an enabler thread... (since i guess that is allowed now??) It's just confusing to me.. I mean, Sure, there are some who would abuse the system, so i guess they should be handled individually, but now, it seems that if you like a kit -- and it's Disney related, you can post about a sale on it - IF you are just a fan who is listing it as an enabler -- even though it's linked to a site for sale.. (which is advertising). BUT, if you are a person on a CT or DT, you can't link that same kit up -- b/c then you are considered "promoting" b/c you have a connection to that person??? That is what really doesn't make much sense to me..

Can someone please clarify that??

[Caitsmama]

Some of it is a honor system but if the moderators or webmaster see one person bombarding the board with someone's stuff they will be issued a warning. If no one can tell from your posts you are a member of the ct then you won't have any problem.

The webmasters have already told the moderators if their is an inordinate threads on one designer or store (particularly all posted at once) it will be looked at as advertising and the site will be blocked.

Posting an enabler alert when your favorite designer comes out with a new kit is just fine - in addition I will have the digital links thread up on Monday and if you pm me I will add a link to the kit in that thread in the appropriate category.

Rebecca

See, this is what i am talking about.... this is confusing. Just b/c someone is on a CT doesn't mean they will automatically bombard the board all the time with for sale links -- so, if you are on a CT, that means you CAN'T link to a kit -- but if you are a "regular" scrapper - using the kit - then you CAN??? :confused3 That seems really really sticky to me... I don't honestly think that's fair..

I can see the whole point of the no advertising rule -- but, i think if you want to have a no advertising rule - with links being involved, then it needs to be ALL links / stores, and not just those on a CT or not on a CT..
Because, face it, if i am a reg. scrapper, and i link to a kit, then that person buys the kit - i am advertising for that designer - and the designer profits. Why does it matter if it's a CT person or not?

I think that is what i am more confused on.... And i know lots of digi scrappers will probably be upset if i say this -- but i would rather see the rules more black/white - if it's an advertising problem, then cut all adds/links.. it's really not fair to allow some to link and some not to.. :confused3

So, case in point -- if I use Stampin Up's software or a kit to do a layout - i can give it credits, but can't link to the site to buy it, b/c i am a demo. BUT -- if joe-shmoe does a layout with a SU kit, they could link to my su site to buy it?? That to me is what is not fair..

Don't want to cause any problems, just trying to clarify this!

[rlovew]

See, this is what i am talking about.... this is confusing. Just b/c someone is on a CT doesn't mean they will automatically bombard the board all the time with for sale links -- so, if you are on a CT, that means you CAN'T link to a kit -- but if you are a "regular" scrapper - using the kit - then you CAN??? :confused3 That seems really really sticky to me... I don't honestly think that's fair..
While this may not seem fair- a ct member is getting free material to use so they can use it and show off the designers things- they are benefiting from posting the links while a fan is not benefiting.


So, case in point -- if I use Stampin Up's software or a kit to do a layout - i can give it credits, but can't link to the site to buy it, b/c i am a demo. BUT -- if joe-shmoe does a layout with a SU kit, they could link to my su site to buy it?? That to me is what is not fair..

Don't want to cause any problems, just trying to clarify this!

You can both list the credits without links- if someone then asks for a link to a store- you as a su demonstrator can't post a link to your own site- you could pm the information they asked for. Another non-su demonstrator could link to the main su site if they were asked for where to buy the kit they had used. They are not benefiting by giving this information.

I think it is a little confusing because we want to allow people to help each other find good things that are out there but once it becomes an advertisement then it is against board policy- we are trying to refine the guidelines (behind the scenes) to make them as clear and easy to follow as possible.

Rebecca

[Caitsmama]

Thanks Rebecca. I can see where the mods are trying to go... i just think there is a lot of *gray* area that can be misinterperted..

And, reguardless of what another poster asked -- please do NOT lock this thread -- as i believe there are people (like myself) that will have questions, and want to be able to post them, and discuss them, as i did.. and we can do it peacefully. :) IF some don't want to read the thread, they don't have to.. ;)

[nicurn]

as the person who suggested locking the thread, it was merely a suggestion because a number of people were flipping out and dragging non scrappers into the fray and trying to confuse the issues. the mods are trying to figure out rules that will make everyone happy, I think we should let them get organised before everyone flips out. I'm all for discussion, but it was getting really out of control there for awhile. maggie

[notes4theheart]

ok, me again. :lmao:

There is this post:

CM Storybook Plus 3.0. Love it!

Now, I remember awhile back that she was a CM consultant, as in makes a profit from selling CM. Just a question: is this ok? Is that on the other side of the line? Can you draw the lines for me. I don't mind coloring in what I can see...:rotfl:

Here's the thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33666832#post33666832

[PrincessNancy96]

However, she is NOT posting to sell. The question was asked "what program she used".

She answered the question!

[AlexWyattMommy]

ok, me again. :lmao:

There is this post:



Now, I remember awhile back that she was a CM consultant, as in makes a profit from selling CM. Just a question: is this ok? Is that on the other side of the line? Can you draw the lines for me. I don't mind coloring in what I can see...:rotfl:

Here's the thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33666832#post33666832

She did not provide a link to her site to purchase it.

I think that is main issue. The actual linking. If you tell me about a great digi kit at suchandsuch store without providing a link, I think you are good to go. I can google it and find if I want to see it for myself.

Is this correct?

[rlovew]

She did not provide a link to her site to purchase it.

I think that is main issue. The actual linking. If you tell me about a great digi kit at suchandsuch store without providing a link, I think you are good to go. I can google it and find if I want to see it for myself.

Is this correct?

You can tell about a great kit and link it as long as it is not yours or from a store you design in. As Lisa is a consultant she can mention the program(when asked) but not link to her website for purchase. If she was not a consultant she could provide a link to the main site where you can find a consultant and buy it.

On the other hand if you(are a designer) come out with a new kit- or you design for a store I don't have listed in the digital links you can pm me the information and I will add it to the thread. I will just add the link to the list not advertise it.

Rebecca

[ms.pinkpixie]

Ok Im so confused, so we are not allowed to post links to disney freebies anymore? We have to submit them to a MOD first? Freebies are only good for so long though... :confused:

[notes4theheart]

You can tell about a great kit and link it as long as it is not yours or from a store you design in. As Lisa is a consultant she can mention the program(when asked) but not link to her website for purchase. If she was not a consultant she could provide a link to the main site where you can find a consultant and buy it.

On the other hand if you(are a designer) come out with a new kit- or you design for a store I don't have listed in the digital links you can pm me the information and I will add it to the thread. I will just add the link to the list not advertise it.

Rebecca


Got it! Thanks! :goodvibes So, if a CT member was asked a question she too could answer the name of a kit and such, correct? Or, even a designer as a response to a direct question? And I do mean DIRECT LOL.

Lastly, if say I were to make a kit, completely free and have it on my blog where I sell absolutely nothing...can I post a link in a thread I start myself or will I get blocked?

[labdogs42]

Ok Im so confused, so we are not allowed to post links to disney freebies anymore? We have to submit them to a MOD first? Freebies are only good for so long though... :confused:

I think as long as you are not on that designer's CT, you can still post a link to a freebie. I think that's the deal.

I still think the webmaster should look into offering some level of paid advertising that could be useful to digi designers, etc. I'm sure sponsoring a whole forum on the DIS is expensive and probably cost prohiitive for designers, but some kind of smaller level of advertising could be developed (like on other boards I go on, they have tags that say supporting advertiser and that tag can then link to their store) that would work for those folks. I LIKE knowing where to buy awesome digi kits and I bet a lot of other folks like it, too. I wish we could have had this discussion before things got ugly. I relly think there could be a way for all this to work.

[rlovew]

Got it! Thanks! :goodvibes So, if a CT member was asked a question she too could answer the name of a kit and such, correct? Or, even a designer as a response to a direct question? And I do mean DIRECT LOL.

Yes- and if they wanted a link feel free to send them to it in the digital links post- again send me any links to kits for sale/stores and I will add them in

Lastly, if say I were to make a kit, completely free and have it on my blog where I sell absolutely nothing...can I post a link in a thread I start myself or will I get blocked?

If your blog has no links to stores and you sell nothing then feel free to start a link with a freebie offer- you can also send me a copy of the link and I will add it to the thread under freebies as well. You can also list a blog like this in your signature.

Ask away if you have any other questions and we will answer them.

Rebecca

[rlovew]

Ok Im so confused, so we are not allowed to post links to disney freebies anymore? We have to submit them to a MOD first? Freebies are only good for so long though... :confused:

You can post links to freebies- as an enabler alert kind of thing- just not a long thread that will turn into advertising- you can even let people know that your favorite designer came out with a new kit. (This is not the case if the free kit is on your own blog that includes for sale items- store link- or is in your own store).

If you want the link to be more permanently accessible then you would pm me the link to add to the digital kits thread.

The reasoning behind this is we don't want the thread to become an advertisement and have more restrictions put in place- the webmasters have said the sticky thread that we moderate is fine.

[amandalinz]

just going through the challenges out of the first 34, 21 are directly related to Britt, either GC to her store (promotional because kits are more then $5 so money is exchanged for goods, some are freebies which then leads to purchases, again promotional). Someone told me there is a huge amount of digital info out there then why are the scales tipped in Britts favor?

Now, it's lunch time here. I'm going to go feed my kid and husband.

Okay, here is the question, were the 21 posts that related to Britt written by Britt?

[Caitsmama]

Okay, here is the question, were the 21 posts that related to Britt written by Britt?


in fairness to the Mods, they didn't say they were. ;)

[amandalinz]

in fairness to the Mods, they didn't say they were. ;)

so then where is the problem? I'm confused!

[latergator]

I am not a designer, have no ties to anyone on this thread and am just a newbie digi scrapper. I don't post any layouts anywhere, I just make occasional pages for a memory book for my granddaughter. We go to Disney and that's how I came across this site - looking for scraps that were Disney related. I was thrilled to find how many freebies there were out there. I was really enjoying posting and seeing all those things right HERE where all that posted had a common goal - sharing Disney scrapping. So, the days of checking in to see what others have found or to post a great find are over for me. It's very disappointing. What used to be a fun thread with a community feel to it has become a non-thread. Now there is list of hyperlinks and any freebies I come across would have to be *PM*ed to a moderator (I don't even know how to PM on here). There's no order to the list or pictures to look at.

It's a shame that so many good people were hurt by the actions taken here and have felt the need to leave this board. I've seen the same scenario happen on other boards. Why do these things always come out of the blue, shock people and then not have a decent explanation for why it was done in the manner it was? You can count me in with the rest who left, for I am done here. All the fun was sucked out of this thread the day I went online to post my new freebie find and saw the 'death post'. I'm so sorry it came to this and that so many people are gone. It's a sad state of affairs. I hope there have been some lessons learned by all...

[stormer]

I have noticed there are links in some threads about scrapbooking stores. Why can I not post a link to a digital scrapbooking store/blog that I am not an employee of? I tried to PM the link to someone and it would not let me do that either? Not sure what the rule is here. :confused3

[rlovew]

I have noticed there are links in some threads about scrapbooking stores. Why can I not post a link to a digital scrapbooking store/blog that I am not an employee of? I tried to PM the link to someone and it would not let me do that either? Not sure what the rule is here. :confused3

You can post a link to any store/site that you are not a designer for- the only ones that would not work are those that are blocked by the webmasters- normally they are blocked for inappropriate content or an advertising problem in the past. If you have a question about a specific link you need to ask admin@wdwinfo.com

Rebecca

[carolinagirl]

Because I don't work for her, she doesn't post here and I have no vested interest in her or her endeavors.

And how are we supposed to know that?:confused3

[carolinagirl]

Whew…man, oh man, what a shame! I have been away for a while and I come back to find this mess. This has to be the most poorly handled situation I have seen in quite some time. Everything is getting made up as it goes along. This is allowed as long as… BUT it’s not allowed if …. Unless you are a specific designer then….. or a specific site…. If you are a CT member your rules are …. If you are a designer you can do this, but not that….UGH…….what a nightmare!

I don’t believe there was anyone posting here for the purpose of making a profit. Unfortunately this seems to be a case of “throwing out the baby with the bathwater.” But it is what it is, and it is too late to undo the damage that has been done, I’m afraid. My personal thoughts and feelings about this particular board have been altered, and not for the better.

I have posted layouts here in the past with the SOLE purpose of being able to share my joy of Disney and digi-scrapping with everyone else who shares the same joy. I would link my layout back to the gallery where I posted it because it was EASIER to do than re-type all of the credits for all the supplies that I used. For crying out loud, I already typed them once, why should I have to do it again? I typically use multiple designers’ stuff on my layouts…so it is SO MUCH EASIER for me to type it up once when I upload to a gallery and then just link back to it, than have to type it up all over again.

Personally, I think this is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen on these boards. Of course, I tend to pop in and out from time to time, so I’m not here all the time…I guess I could have missed something.

It’s a real shame, this whole mess is. Handled VERY badly. Since I was mostly interested in participating in the Disney related digi-challenges and sharing and learning about digi-resources, whether free or not, I guess I’ll be bowing out of this board. (Walks away shaking head in disbelief).

ETA: It is interesting to me that Scrapmatters is one of the only sites I know that lets you upload to their gallery and participate in challenges whether or not you use items purchased from their site. Ironic that they seem to be a site that is considered off limits here (unless that has changed too) when they themselves are so inclusive of other designers and stores not associated with them. *Shaking head again*