Any reason this thread was sunk?

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

http://forums.parallax.com/discussion/164204/lian-underwater-rov-thrusters

When I first encountered it, I immediately thought "spam" and was about to flag it. But even though it's obviously an ad, it's for something that forumistas might have been interested in. So instead of flagging it, I decided to engage the poster on spec, feature and price grounds, comparing his offerings with a competing product I was familiar with. What has ensued is, I believe, an insightful discussion. Although I'm the last person who would want to encourage spamming by engaging a spammer, what resulted here is a thread which should have been kept alive.

Also, the mods know my feelings about anonymous thread sinking, and it's already been brought up elsewhere today; so I won't bother to rant about it again, except to say that I thought the policy against it was a settled issue.

Thanks,
-Phil

Publison

It was me Phil. My first knee jerk reaction was to delete it as spam, but I let it ride because of the questions that arose. But it just seemed that it is a OEM manufacturer was trying to drum up some business at the expense of the Parallax forums. Not something the hobbyists here can afford. I will unsink for now, but we will keep a watch.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Thanks! I understand your concerns, of course, as they were mine, too.

-Phil

W9GFO

Publison wrote: »

...manufacturer was trying to drum up some business at the expense of the Parallax forums. Not something the hobbyists here can afford...

Glad to see this "un sunk". This manufacturer had something to offer that was of interest to at least two people here. I don't understand what the "expense"* is to the Parallax forum, I think it adds to it. As far as affordability, well, some hobbyists probably can afford it - and not everyone here is just a hobbyist. Somebody must be able to afford them, why not someone here? I for one appreciate learning about robotics products, even if it is from the manufacturer - and especially so if they are willing to engage and answer questions. I think we should welcome, even encourage manufacturers to talk about their (relevant) products. If there were a flood of such posts, then put them in a separate forum. I doubt that would happen though.

* there is no advertising on this forum, so no loss of ad sales due to the "advertising" of a product in a forum post.

xanadu

We're all looking out for the best interests of the forum and its users. First posts are moderated, obviously it was the forum's intention to relay the info onto us users. Phil clearly stated his opinion and what is was based on, to which the OP agreed with many posts later. Everything in between is going to show up on some people's radar as spam because the one single detail most of us are interested in was avoided. After all, how many people advertise something here and mask the price with technical specs?