Wetlook World Forum

o  spam

o  off-topic (whether XXX or not) links, ramblings, whatever

o  pop-ups in linked sites (XXX sites being the stereotypical worst offender)

The core issue is not that the content we see on the forum (or at posted links) is in of itself obscene, offensive or whatever. The issue is that:

1.  There is an expectation amongst forum readers and participants, and that the present reality may be drifting away from that expectation, and

2.  There is a seemingly perpetual threat of topical posts and links being lost amongst all sorts of irrelevancies

I can't help thinking of a garden as an analogy for the forum. Spam and off-topic content (including XXX) is like weeds growing amongst our beloved wetlook flowers. Left to themselves, the weeds will multiply and take over. So, our garden needs continual weeding and nurturing to maintain the form we desire for it.

We all come here to see and enjoy wetlook - nothing more, nothing less. That's our chosen "flower" for the garden... everything else is weeds. OK, we accept a little off-topic stuff from time to time, just to keep things interesting; not too much, however, or it threatens to take over like any other weed.

We all differ on what we like as wetlook, but I think we can all agree on what qualifies as wetlook (again, as Nigel has outlined). If we've had a few "weeds" arrive lately, perhaps we should be simply advising the owner and custodian of the garden (Nigel) and allow him to take appropriate action.

I'd like to think all this will serve to keep us united in our understanding of what this forum is about, rather than dividing us over issues of where to draw the line, who favours who's site, and who's not welcome where.

I'd like to think that Ray's initial post will serve to remind us of what we all (or at least the majority) expect from this forum rather than inciting e-vigilantes.