Stifling the inevitable might prove more costly
I have clarified my interests multiple times, and wish @audiometrix_hearing would actually listen rather than speculate. Here it is again:
Regarding the forum, I do believe there is a way to keep the forum open and free, while at the same time making it pay for itself. If you take a look at my main site hearingtracker.com1, you can see that what we do there is mostly display advertising. We also do some marketing on Facebook for our advertising partners … I feel like it’s a nice way to not “commercialize” our content (ie. turn into an ecommerce shop), while at the same time keeping the information objective and unbiased. I hope to expand our marketing reach, and stick to similar activities, here in the forum. Since no hearing aid company owns even a tiny piece of my company, I am able to work with any number of companies on my own terms, and that means no favors on the editorial or user submitted content… Since we have grown our audience to a reputable size,companies are willing to work with us on our terms … and this means we can keep educating consumers the way we have for years about how the industry really works, and how to navigate it. For the record, we have not ever sold, and have no intention to sell, our user database (emails, etc). As an internet user and privacy advocate myself, I try to treat my users as I would expect to be treated.
As I have stated again and again, and as stated in “About the Online Sellers Category”, here is the reason we are trying to control the scope of online sellers in the general forum:
Online hearing aid sellers regularly appear in the forum, and this leads to our normal discussions being hijacked and turned into promotions for one online seller or another.
The rules aren’t hard to follow. Just don’t talk about your products or services outside of the online sellers area. Easy. And if someone addresses you and needs to talk shop in the general forum, ask them to re-post their question in Online Sellers. It shouldn’t be that hard. If you can’t follow the rules, I’m sure your competitors will enjoy the extra exposure here in this category.
What about the posts that are getting flagged that are not talking about sales or services?
I’m getting the vibe you just dont want me to post at all outside the online sellers category.
Can a seller say, in another thread outside of online sellers, hey can’t talk here but come on over to online sellers and we can talk at length?
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If you take issue with one of my flags let me know. Happy to revisit my decision at any time on these.
Excellent. That’s fine with me. I, for one, don’t mind hearing from sellers. As long as it’s not in your face sales and marketing. But I do realize that others really dislike hearing anything from any kind of seller. I just think they can be really helpful (like audiometrix) and then ignore or disregard the sales and marketing at your leisure.
Those who want to engage online sellers can do so by getting in contact directly with them… so there is no reason for me to try and censor the web… it’s a futile excercise… Just trying to give everyone what they want, and that means creating a space where online sellers can engage in their sales tactics without annoying people who aren’t coming here to be sold to. Not stopping them from helping those that want to be helped, in the designated area.
lol no you can’t censor the web and please don’t try 
I think a possible misunderstanding may have been whether a seller could say ANYTHING in a thread outside this sub-forum.
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Yes, I just ask that they don’t discuss their products or services outside of Online Sellers… They can contribute as much helpful discussion as they want of course… which in my mind is probably the smartest way to build a brand people trust 
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I’m still confused on how you suggest answering direct questions made to us.
Just say I’m not allowed to talk about it? I’ll send you message?
@audiometrix_hearing: I think Volusiano had a go at explaining options up in that OPN3 review thread. The way I see it (and I’m sure the admin could correct me if I’m wrong…which I probably am ) here in Online Sellers you can do and say just about whatever you like. Outside of here, if you wish to participate (and please do) then you can be helpful but just not talking about what YOUR business offers. If you feel the need to talk about whatever it is you have to offer that you sell then you need to invite readers down to here as a post in that thread and then talk however much you like here in a new thread or whatever. And yes even in answer to a direct question to you.
That’s how I understand what the admin is trying to get at.
Admittedly, it’s a fine line you would be dancing on before you get flagged as inappropriate to the admin.
I feel like you’re trying to play dumb here. I’ve explained it multiple times to you, and we’ve had private discussions on this too. Why are others understanding, but you are not?
Sorry, was losing patience. Please either send the person a PM. Try not to get reported as a spammer, or you will go. Otherwise, if they ask you a question and you feel it would be better in an open forum rather than a PM, just say “If you would like to discuss my products or services with me, please repost your question in the Online Sellers category”…
Posting this part of the PM to clarify my thinking to others.
Thank you for posting that. That’s where my confusion was. Still don’t fully understand, but I don’t need to. As others have said, your house, your rules. I have to adapt or get the boot. Simple as that.
Or say someone asks you a direct question like hey audiometrix how much for those opn3’s? First of all they really should have asked it in here but then they aren’t sellers are they. For that example you post an invite up there to come down here and then pick the conversation up down here and answer their question.
I honestly want this to be a friendly place for all, believe it or not… and not trying to silence anyone… so please let’s try out the proposed format and accompanying rules and see how it goes. Most people so far have embraced the idea of Online Sellers area, etc. PS. I edited a post above.
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I stumbled across this:
hi-pro-usb-datasheet-hearing-aid-programming.pdf (23.9 KB)
Or if you like:
Hi-Pro datasheet
I see it recommends IOgear and I have heard good things about the chip in it.