The Ragequits are so fun to read.
Now then, to srs bznz.
First, I very much appreciate Ironhide providing me with the opportunity to elaborate about Rule #4. So, IH, thanks for playing Devil's Advocate. I think it's a good idea every so often for the thoughts behind the rules to get explained in public, along with some of the historical precedent.
That said, Grudgebearer's ad certainly would've gotten my attention if I'd seen it first, and I would've done what Pork did and asked him to change it. While one can certainly *choose* to interpret Rule #4's title as mandating only a descriptive title and not content, that interpretation reflects a misunderstanding of sentence structure and correct word use. Please note that I am NOT attacking anyone, but rather speaking in an instructional sense. Yes, I have been among other things an English teacher and an editor.
First: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/and
Specifically the definition stating (I bolded the relevant parts):
In this case, "and" is correctly used to connect the nouns "Title" and ((ZOMG THERE IS THAT WORD AGAIN)) "Content" with the adjective "Descriptive." To assume otherwise is to misunderstand the word "and." If one thinks of this in a Boolean sense, it is best expressed as the following:1.
(used to connect grammatically coordinate words, phrases, or clauses) along or together with; as well as; in addition to; besides; also; moreover: pens and pencils.
thereby making the adjective "descriptive" apply to both nouns "Title" and "Content."Descriptive ((Title) AND (Content))
Second: For precedent's sake, we have long disallowed trade lists to be hosted on other sites, though photographs intended to provide increased descriptive clarity have long been allowed. I recall one young man who used his mouse to create a GIF wherein he drew his trade list, because his mother had confiscated his keyboard. He scammed someone and then tried to modify his "trade list" to cover his tracks. The admins can see when an ad has been modified on the site; we have in the distant past had to pull older versions of trade lists from backups. We can't do that on other sites.
Third: Miscommunication leads to assumption, and I'm sure we've all heard about the dangers of making assumptions based on incomplete information. Including the most amount of information possible leads to clear communication and effective trading. We can't force people to format their ads for their own best interest, but we can point out when something doesn't meet the minimum standard - which Pork felt Grudgebearer's ad did not.
The detractors out there in the "We Hate Linrandir" club will point out that I wrote the rules, and the short answer I would give is "because it's my site and I said so." My rebuttal to this is contained in the three points above and also here: I do not use the "because I said so" line on my five year old, and I don't use it here. I respect y'all too much to stoop to such a poorly-defensible answer.
All that said, I'll be happy to take questions here on the matter. I can't access the site during the day, but I will do my best to get back on here at night to reply.
