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Parallax Advertising Policy — Parallax Forums

Parallax Advertising Policy

PhilldapillPhilldapill Posts: 1,283
edited 2009-01-23 23:31 in General Discussion
I've noticed a few posts where someone has come up with a device using the propeller, and "subtley" tried to market it in the forum. Now, granted, the sandbox would be the best place to "unveil" such a device when it's complete, but I've noticed a couple of Parallax people hinting that this is somewhat looked down upon. Could someone clarify the policy about this? I recently completed a project that was just a prototyping propeller board. I was told it should be moved to the sandbox once it was complete, which is no problem. I ended up selling quite a few of these, which wasn't my original intent.

I'm just curious what you guy's at Parallax think about "marketing" propeller devices in the forum. I understand it clutters the forum somewhat, but it just seems to me that the more products that are sold using the propeller, the more sales for Parallax... right?

Comments

  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2009-01-23 04:55
    Not sure what the policy is, but I have always taken it that the forums are meant to build the knowledge, expertise, and community of a Parallax product users (or potential users). When successful products are developed by one of the users, that product's development, code (or at least code concepts), challenges, parts lists, PCB design, etc, should be shared with others in the community as much as possible. Much of my progress with my SHT11 module is directly related to older threads on this forum.

    As far as marketing a product, my opinion is that it shouldn't be done directly on the Parallax site, but as long as your product is being shared as mentioned above, a link to an external site (eBay or personal website where it can be purchased) shouldn't be outside the lines.

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    Andrew Williams
    WBA Consulting
    IT / Web / PCB / Audio
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,403
    edited 2009-01-23 06:17
    Philldapill,

    It's okay and it's not a problem with us. Our forum rules have nothing against posting availability of your new products and projects.

    Just be subtle and utilize an external site for sales (eBay, your web page, etc.). We're evolving to be more open in this regard and I'll clarify that with our other forum moderators next week.

    Sincerely,

    Ken Gracey
  • PhilldapillPhilldapill Posts: 1,283
    edited 2009-01-23 06:35
    Ah, good to know. Thanks Ken. I don't have anything at the moment, but I was just curious about my last little venture with my own propeller board. I believe Chris Savage had mentioned something about a page on the Parallax Site about completed projects, but I couldn't find the thread. Thanks for the clarification!
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2009-01-23 16:07
    I sure appreciate this. Lots of interesting Propeller related gadgets get created. Finding them here, just makes a lot of sense.

    (and yet another reason why this forum is on the start tab list)

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    Chat in real time with other Propellerheads on IRC #propeller @ freenode.net
    Safety Tip: Life is as good as YOU think it is!
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,403
    edited 2009-01-23 19:24
    Philldapill,

    Chris has a more stringent set of rules of what's acceptable on the forums, and I truly respect his opinions in so many ways. For example, he's one of the few internal staff who was also a customer. That tends to bring great benefits to a company.

    But this is also a negative economy, and our customers need to broaden their marketing tools to sell their products (which often use our products). Marketing has more place in forums for that reason alone. We'd also like completed projects posted in the forums even if there is no commercial component. We're particularly interested in posting finished products in our Customer Applications web section, too.

    We'll be working on an update to our forum rules. At present, I don't think our rules (I couldn't find them last night anyway) address product presentations. We'll come together on these points pretty soon.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • parts-man73parts-man73 Posts: 830
    edited 2009-01-23 21:01
    I can certainly attest to how supportive Parallax has been to me as a 3rd party vendor.

    Starting out on my venture 2 years ago, I received advice from Ken, and recently, the marketing dept photographed a sample unit I sent in and posted it on a special page right on Parallax's website as a "3rd party Propeller Tool"

    I suggest that advertising needs to tempered with restraint and tact. A simple, brief and infrequent product anouncement would seem to be appropriate.

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    Brian

    uController.com - home of SpinStudio - the modular Development system for the Propeller

    PropNIC - Add ethernet ability to your Propeller! PropJoy - Plug in a joystick and play some games!

    SD card Adapter - mass storage for the masses Audio/Video adapter add composite video and sound to your Proto Board
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,403
    edited 2009-01-23 21:30
    And Brian's product is featured right here: http://www.parallax.com/tabid/252/Default.aspx. Sorry it took us so long, but the page sure looks great. If there are others, please send them to us.

    Brian summarized it the same way I see it: temper advertising with restraint and tact. Go ahead and refresh your thread now and then if you desire, and use some sense along the way.

    Ken Gracey
  • parts-man73parts-man73 Posts: 830
    edited 2009-01-23 21:51
    Ken said...
    Brian summarized it the same way I see it: temper advertising with restraint and tact. Go ahead and refresh your thread now and then if you desire, and use some sense along the way.

    Thank you Ken, I chose my words with care. Webster defines "Tact" as - a keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense

    I think that it is an apt word to use in this discussion.

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    Brian

    uController.com - home of SpinStudio - the modular Development system for the Propeller

    PropNIC - Add ethernet ability to your Propeller! PropJoy - Plug in a joystick and play some games!

    SD card Adapter - mass storage for the masses Audio/Video adapter add composite video and sound to your Proto Board
  • Timothy D. SwieterTimothy D. Swieter Posts: 1,613
    edited 2009-01-23 22:00
    I am also with Brian. I started by creating a couple propeller projects that eventually turned into enough demand that they are products now. I try to find other oddities for the Propeller or Sx or Robotics and when I create code or a project I like to share it with the community. Your words are perfect Brian, "advertising needs to tempered with restraint and tact".

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    Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
    www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, uOLED-IOC, eProto for SunSPOT, BitScope
    www.tdswieter.com
  • Cole LoganCole Logan Posts: 196
    edited 2009-01-23 23:31
    I would like to say that I have gotten things from both Brian and Timothy. The only reson I ever saw there products was because they have mentioned them on here. And by buying there product it has helped me stay interested in the propeller.
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