TechIMO's Products and Services provided by its members, for its members

**J1mmy** · September 11th, 2006, 01:29 AM

As an ICT forum, it might be a good idea if it had a product and services list it can provide for its members. Not all forums will have this list, infact, I havent seen one that has. So it will be different.

It may page somewhere on the site that will tell other members which person is invovled in a certain field of ICT who can provide a service. This service may be within multimedia, so it could include, graphic designing, video editting etc. Or it could be within web development, so it could include, web designing, flash, web hosting, graphic designing etc.

Now, Im not saying the owner of the establishment should provide its services completely free (it could if it wanted to though), but they can provide it for a lower price for TIMO users only.

Obviously, we don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry joining just to get the cheaper services, so a rule will be brought in. Only members within a certain post count are allowed to get cheaper services from members. This post count should be about 500 posts.

So really, there is something in it for everyone. It will encourage TIMO guests to join and post regularly, also draw more customers to the owners establishment and allow TechIMO to have its kind of 'Store' or it just could be a sticky thread on each forum pointing to those who work or specialised with that forum/field.

There could also be other reasons of why this could be a good or bad idea which I havent thought about, think about it.

**Mickwish** · September 11th, 2006, 01:39 AM

Hmm, idea has some merit, but I dunno about the practicality. For one thing, how many TIMO members would be able to partake of a specific service unless it was web-based? And how many service providers could actually afford to provide cheaper services to TIMO members, given they will probably mainly be small vendors?

Since I'm not in the IT business, and don't offer any IT services for a fee, I'll let those that do decide. But I strongly suspect it'll be difficult...

You should have had a Not Sure option for fence sitters like me, mate.

Cheers
Mick

**J1mmy** · September 11th, 2006, 01:45 AM

Yes, thats very true.

Sometimes, Ive got some members asking me to send them them an image which I having problems with. Those members looked at them and fixed the problem, free. It was only later that I found out they were working, or owned their own firm.

Maybe, its something they do in their own time. I doubt its a service they provide that keeps them living.

I think another question is, are there enough services like this on TIMO itself.

As for the 'Not Sure' option, I changed the poll options from 2 to 3 when I clicked 'Submit Poll' seems it ignored my last minutes option

**RicheemxX** · September 11th, 2006, 04:23 PM

IMO thats a horrible idea! The point of the forums is to provide FREE help for others not advertise your business.

And another IMO your sig shouldn't be allowed.

Members will not post for-profit personal referrals, advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, spam, solicitations, or contests involving prizes not pre-approved by the TechIMO staff. Those seeking to advertise at TechIMO should contact the proper staff member for additional information.

People shouldn't be allowed to advertise in their sigs, if they are pretty soon thats all we will see.

**J1mmy** · September 11th, 2006, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by RicheemxX

IMO thats a horrible idea! The point of the forums is to provide FREE help for others not advertise your business.

And another IMO your sig shouldn't be allowed.

People shouldn't be allowed to advertise in their sigs, if they are pretty soon thats all we will see.

Thats very harsh.

Firstly, my sig also provide a free service which I pay for. Ive provided many members on this forum with a free hosting plan, profit-free. Its a good way to introduce new people to hosting.

As for the TIMO rule, I believe that only applies to psots, not sigs?

Yes, the forum will remain a free service. Its not forcing anyone to buy anything. The owner of the business can maintain a friendly relationship with the customer within TIMO, like a family.

Like i said, there something for both sides.

Again, thats your opinion, Im just justifing it for those in question.

**ru1di** · September 17th, 2006, 12:42 PM

No advertising in sigs please - only on the specific page of services

**vass0922** · September 17th, 2006, 01:21 PM

IMO a simple link I won't argue with.. a blatant advertisement like that sig is just annoying. Specifically centering the text, multiple colors and using extra space in between lines.

Regarding the suggestion, I agree it has merit but dont forget any bad service brought out by that advert would look poorly on this site.

**ru1di** · September 17th, 2006, 01:22 PM

This site shouldn't focus on this section, the idea has merit , but maybe only have text based profiles of the companies/service/people maybe.

No graphics

**originel** · September 17th, 2006, 02:33 PM

The advertisement rule does apply to sigs. Fix your sig.

I'm with Mickwish on the idea...it's just not practical.

**ru1di** · September 17th, 2006, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by originel

The advertisement rule does apply to sigs. Fix your sig.

I'm with Mickwish on the idea...it's just not practical.

Me 2 i agree - no adverts in sig

**Atomic Rooster** · September 17th, 2006, 03:12 PM

What sig? I don't see no steenking sigs.

**wera** · September 17th, 2006, 03:18 PM

What? whats wrong with his sig.

Leave him alone and crticize his question not hit signature!

IMO this is a good idea... But it would be horrable to mose because they wold have to program the forums/by/whatever code by scrartch.

And i certianly would not be "Buying" these services.

**RicheemxX** · September 17th, 2006, 03:23 PM

Well this was Rob's response to the question about advertising in sigs

Originally Posted by RobRich

Blatant advertising in posts is not allowed, though sigs are a grey area. If the member is a legitimate community contributor and not pushing the issue (active solicitation), we usually turn a blind eye to such signature concerns.

Note there are several members that have signature links to their own web sites, web design companies, and similar.

Now I know several people on here do have their pages linked and yes they do already affer their services when asked for by other members but again IMO blatant advertising by members should not be allowed

**J1mmy** · September 17th, 2006, 05:37 PM

Regrading the sig. Rob has been in the same thread as me and he must have seen it. If he wanted to take action against it, he would have many weeks ago. No one said anything when I was offering the profit-free hosting. As soon as the 80 cent PM comes in, hell breaks lose.