dynamicsusers: Commercial Community

[Blog bot]

When I first started out reading and posting online, it was easy. Whenever I had a question I just posted it and waited for someone to post suggestions. While searching for answers I saw many questions that I could answer, so I did. I was employed, I did not have any commercial interest in participating in the community. The only reason that I did was because I enjoy reading people's questions, making suggestions, and participating in the discussions. It is my hobby, I like being part of the community.


We own our business now, and we have occasionally found work in the community, so I am aware of the fact that there is definately a commercial aspect to participating. I still post as much though (if not more) just because I like helping people and being part of this worldwide community. But also to keep the balance, to put something back into the community for what I got out of it. Sometimes I catch myself thinking about posting something about my services, and usually I don't. It can be a fine line to walk, and I may have possibly crossed it from time to time. Over all though, I make a conscious effort to keep my commercial interests separate from the community.


What has been a very troubling development, is that there are companies who create an online presence, and they call it "community", "forum", "message Boards", "user groups", "blogs". When you try to read these blog articles, though, it turns out that you have to register first. When you do, the next day your email inbox is filled with spam. They provide so called "white papers", which turn out to be nothing more than promotional material for their add-on portfolio. One of these so-called "communities" even charge a registration fee of hundreds of dollars.


Just to be clear on this: I have no problem whatsoever with organisations charging money for membership. I have no issues with companies advertising their products, or even sending out material to their contact list every day. All that I want is for things to be called what they are. Don't call members-only content "blog" when people have to register for it. Don't claim that a members-only article was published exclusively today, when it is in fact nothing more than an RSS feed into a free blog entry that was published months ago. Don't post links to purely commercial websites filled with advertisements, under the guise of "community participation". If you want to advertise, then there are plenty of options available.


The MOST important aspect of this community, to me, is that it is free of charge, independent, without any blatant commercial interests. The information contained within the community should not cost a single penny, and should be available without having to provide any personal information and without having to endure truckloads of unwanted advertisements. Once people want to start participating, of course, some personal information is necessary, but only for the purpose of being able to identify yourself on the community. This participation should always be free of charge, it should be volunteer work, with no strings attached, without any commercial interests. You help people simply because you want to help people, not because you're out there fishing for business.


There it is, my ramblings on commercial interests in our community. It feels good to get it off my chest



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