PLEASE READ : Avatars, siglines and advertising in general

LONDONBIKERS.COM RULES FOR AVATAR, SIGNATURE LINE AND MESSAGE USE.

There have been a number of queries about the use of avatars and signature lines for advertising purposes, plus a few complaints about some of the avatars being used. Therefore we are publishing the following so that forum members are aware of what can and cannot be done. If any of the following is not clear or you have a further query, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] to discuss any commercial activity.

Londonbikers.com will not accept the use of messages, avatars or signature lines for the following purposes:

  1. To directly advertise a business or businesses. Advertising on the Internet is something for which businesses usually have to pay and being a member of a forum does not alter that fact. It is not a question of Londonbikers.com making money from members, more a question of business sense. (See exception below)

2 – To advertise, or link to other ‘inappropriate’ websites. For example a link to a website that contains adult material.

  1. To display graphic, tasteless or pornographic imagery. Londonbikers.com is striving to be a work-place friendly site and members must bear this in mind with their choice of imagery. Pictures of girl’s chests, male or female bums, shirts with logos containing abrasive or foul language are examples of imagery which will not be permitted. The Adult section is there for your amusing / titillating images. If in doubt please contact the moderators for advice.

  2. To display graphics of any sort in your signature line. Your sig line can only contain text, and must not be of a disruptive size.

Advertising will be allowed in signature lines in the following manners:

  1. Listing the advertisement in the LB Directory, and referring to that listing in your signature line. For example:

“Get your gloves and boots from www.andysgloveshop.com” would be unacceptable;

whereas

“Check out my Directory listing here for a 10% discount on gloves and boots” would be acceptable.

  1. Direct advertising in a signature line will be allowed for members who have applied for, and been granted, or have paid for, 'Forum Supporter’ status. This gives the member the right to directly advertise using a mixture of graphics and text. Reference to a directory entry would be encouraged but not essential. Granting of such status will be based upon discount, service standards and feedback. Londonbikers.com reserves the right to withdraw this status without further notification.

If a member has a complaint about any avatars, messages or signature lines, they should contact [email protected]. The complaint will be considered by at least two moderators, who’s ruling on acceptability will be final.

Any queries or complaints e-mailed to the forum staff, will receive an e-mailed or pm’d reply with seven days of LB receiving the member’s communication.

And I’ll add that suggesting a company to help answer a question as a recommendation etc is ok - likewise the Name and Shame section is still valid.

We are seeking to control self promotion instead of people/business’s using the correct channels - the directory or paying for adverts (to help cover the large running costs).