[theforum] Donation Wall - last chance to comment

[Dean Mah]

On Sun, Aug 17, 2003 at 02:34:49AM +0100, Isaac Forman wrote:

> > Could somebody please explain to me how it is that we're discussing 
> > companies buying advertising on evolt?
> > 
> > As far as I am aware, the only discussion of adverts we've 
> > ever had was 
> > along the lines of "wouldn't it be nice to alloaw evolters 
> > members to buy 
> > text ads on the evolters site?"
> 
> Then you missed extensive threads we've had in the past. Dean at one
> point came up with a list of guidelines that potential sponsors of
> evolt.org would have to follow.

Actually, what I said, is (unfortunately theforum archives earlier
than Mar 2003 are not available):

   Apr 29 2002 18:45:22 -0600 (MDT)

   We're definitely not too proud to accept money.  I'd like to think
   that the money is given freely without any obligations attached.
   I'd like for us to be able to recognize a list of contributors and
   donaters on the site because we want to rather than we are required
   to by agreement.  If a corporation decides to donate something to
   us, we should recognize it as we do for donations by individuals.
   I don't want us to be doing anything special for corporations.

   However, if sponsorship is a route that everyone wants to take, I
   would suggest that we not:

   * have banner ads of any kind.
   * do not allow a bias to creep in.
   * do not post links from the front page.
   * do not add more than a few lines to the footer of the list.
   * do not favour members from sponsored sites.
   * do not allow sponsors to be placed in a position of more power than
     ordinary members.
   * do not allow sponsors to dictate any terms outside of the initial
     sponsorship agreement, e.g., content approval, list moderation,
     backend or frontend choices.

   I'm sure there's more but I'm sure that everyone gets my general
   feeling on the matter.  :)

Dean