I remember reading the "picture rules" post and it was not clear from the way you wrote it that you were referring to "theme of the week" type threads.  It may have looked to some providers that were not allowed to post more than one picture per week.  My current understanding is they can post as many pictures as they want, as long as they do this in a single thread.  (One ad post per 7 days)

I also read on the RO board that Boston board has died off compared to what it was in the past.  I think this is true, due to new rules put into place since TER has parted ways with it's founder.  I have also read on the RO board about other regional boards having out of control battles.  I don't read other regional boards enough to make any comparisons myself.  I do find the Boston board interesting enough to read every day.

The “no negative reply to ad posts” may lead to a negative reply in a separate post shortly afterwards.  We will see how this plays out.   There are a few bad apples in the provider orchard.

This is my slightly more then 0.02 for today.

That goes both ways. There a few on both sides.
I think that Mr. French has done a good job of clarifying what is what or..errr whats not.

Negative posts to provider ad or hijacking a provider ad post is just tacky. So we will see what comes of it.

Have a happy day.
AR
XO
(just my.33 cents)  

From time to time, I have seen threads posted, more on the GD board than here, that can be summarized as: "All providers over 35 have saggy boobs" or "All providers who get a bunch of 10s on appearance are really uglier than sin."

Well -- in response to such blanket allegations, I personally think it should be allowed for any provider who usually posts here to post a picture of her super-firm 35+ year old breasts or whatever.

In other words, they should be allowed to post visual evidence to contradict blanket statements.

My .14

First, a little history: I know a number of people have made claims and accusations against me based on what was said on other boards.  The truth of the matter is that on the Moderators Only board there were discussions about themed picture posts, and there was a consensus as to what the rules should be.  I used and posted the rules that we seemed to have come to agreement on.  Other moderators didn't.  Admin was ok with having different rules on different boards; that's one of the ways that decisions are made for establishing site-wide policy: that way you see what works and what doesn't.   If you want to be pissed at me because I applied the rules that the moderators had supposedly agreed on when other moderators didn't, that's fine.  I'm a big man - I can take it.  

Now, however, Admin has stepped in and made a site-wide determination: themed picture posts will follow "common sense" rules.  By that, I think it's meant that the posts still have to adhere to the General Post Guidelines (see below) but, beyond that, there are no specific rules.  More importantly, there are no board specific rules.

While I'm addressing the subject of rules, I'd like to address a few misconceptions.  Some people have come to believe that I wasn't allowing providers to post ANY pictures, not even with their ad.  I don't know where this idea came from because it's certainly NOT true.  Recently, one provider did have a problem posting an ad with a picture but that was entirely due to a technical problem with her picture hosting site, and her attempts to fix it by posting the picture multiple times (duplicate posts are not allowed - see the guidelines).  Anyway, we worked out the technical problem in private mail and she was able to post her picture with no further problems within the day.

Also, some people have come to believe that I do not allow ANY negative comments to be posted.  THIS IS NOT TRUE.  The rule is that you cannot post a negative comment in response to a provider's ad.  If you want to make negative comments about a provider, or an agency, you are free to start a NEW THREAD and make those negative comments.  However, be prepared for the provider, other providers, or other hobbyists to disagree with you and post contrary opinions.

Another misconception is with regard to mini-reviews.  Remember, this is a discussion board and reviews are not allowed.   The exception to the rule is that mini-reviews of visiting providers are allowed as long as certain conditions are met.  If a post looks like a mini-review, and doesn't meet those conditions, it will be pulled.  (See below).  

The same goes with ads.  If a provider posts an ad that doesn't meet the requirements as posted in the guidelines, it will be pulled in accordance with the guidelines.  

If you wish to review the various guidelines referred to above:

General Posting Guidelines: http://tinyurl.com/MessageBoardPolicy
Provider Ad Posting Guidelines: http://tinyurl.com/AdPosting
Mini-Review Guidelines: http://tinyurl.com/MiniReviewGuide

A final word:
I AM A HOBBYIST.  Please keep that in mind.  I've been one long before TER existed.  I've seen hundreds of providers.  I know a lot of the hobby from both ends both from my own experiences, and talking with providers over the years.  I've posted reviews, comments and advice on this, and other sites, for years.  I want to HELP and PROMOTE the hobby as much as possible.  I even belong to a number of sites where the posting rules are different than they here on TER.  However, as a Moderator on TER, I feel I have to follow the rules laid out by the Admin; that's the kind of person I am.  I consider myself a person of honesty and integrity and I try to enforce the rules fairly and equitably.  If that annoys people, well, I'm sorry but that's how I am, and what I believe.  If you don't like the rules, rather than get annoyed about them, or annoyed with me about enforcing them, go to the Suggestion&Policy board and complain about them and maybe they'll get changed.  

However, I would also remind you that I AM HUMAN.  I make mistakes.  I interpret things differently than someone else might.  And sometimes I misread intent.  I am a flawed creature.  I am human.

If you have questions or complaints please address them to me in private mail.

Too many words in this thread and not enough pictures.

...that the following are allowed?

- any number of themed picture posts per week, per day

- any reasonable comments about a themed post and comments on comments

- more than one picture of a provider or non-provider in the same thread

Can members select a theme and post accordingly?

None of these violate the GP rules.

Thanks.

...and thought I'd throw in a picture.

-- Modified on 6/29/2010 5:56:15 AM

No. According to Admin if a themed picture thread already exists for the day, that a new thread should be denied as there is already an active thread on that topic. While none of those specifically violate the GP rules, Admin made it clear that "common sense" rules should be applied.  Yes, this still leaves room for some interpretation.  I would think that there would be some agreement that if someone posts several pictures in the same thread that it would be ok but that if someone posts many pictures it would not.  Does 3 pictures from the same person in the same thread seem a reasonable limit?