Being a Good Neighbor or just Bad Etiquette?

Hi Mike, 

Just consider it as TWITTER...  where everyone has a link to give to their readers...  ;>))

I normally will get a separate email to join a group.  That works for me.

Mike:

I have not had a problem with this. If someone puts link in a comment that you are not interested in, you do not have to click on it.

Nice to read this post.  It is important to be respectful to each other in our comments.  Having said that, I would send out an email to the blogger with an invite.  I wouldn't be upset though if someone put an invite in their comment as long as the intention was proper.

Inviting someone to a similar group seems perfectly reasonable. I know I appreciate the opportunity to find out what other resources are available.

Mike: I agree with TLW ... tribe no read guidelines. There is a solution ... link to the guidelines or send an email to those posting comments with the link to the guidelines.  I have deleted a few self promoting comments.

I will post a link if it is germane to the topic, and if it is not mine and I also would not receive any kick back for it. Usually whart I link to is a free service for things like picture shrinkiong, or where training is available that is nationally known and respected.

I like the idea of sharing relevant information. If the host of the thread doesn't care to have a link in their comments, they can simply delete the post. I recently had someone post a link to their website within the comments of my blog, but the purpose was to access some free information they had. At first glance, I was irritated, but I thought about it a moment and concluded that they may very well have something to offer, so I did not delete. ActiveRain is a community.

I think part of exploring an idea or topic it to let it evlove and take on a life of its own which results in new ideas. But I agree that people should not turn the conversation to self promotion.

I also think that is if it is pertinent to the thread and is not detracting from the post, then it should be fine.

people do it all the time does not mean its right its kind of like having bad manners

since no one from the staff has commented yet I would like to put in my two pennies into the ring, and say hey it's a ok. The whole point of our guidelines is to prevent others from using your blog comments section to market themselves. Puting a link to an ar group that has other valuable information doesn't violate that rule so I would say it's a ok. However as some may diaagree I would say it is easier to ask permision then forgiveness so be kind and get permision from the author just to be safe. keep in mind re-blogging is an option as I could re-blog this post and then put a link to any thing I want in my re-blog without interfering with your thread.

Mike, Thanks for the great information in your post and the comments it generated.

One of the comments referred to the second item in the gray bar at the bottom of the screen, Guidelines.  The rules are right there and not to many to read.

I'm with Steven on this and I must confess that I have put in my two cents' worth without any express consent.  I am guilty of "BLOGMENTS" on occasion, and that is a compliment to the writer I'm commenting to.  I've also recruited people to our Optimist Group because I liked the writer and thought they'd fit in with our Sunny members.  Come to think of it, isn't that how I recruited you to the group, Mike?

Mike:  BTW, this is now featured on our Optimist Group!

I like the idea of being invited to a group. There are so many of them here that sometimes it's hard to find them without an invitation.

Hi,

I think Mirela said it all. It's nice to get an invitation..and to get a featured post..what you say Mike?