MeetFighters News
Commercial Activity: The Votes are In!
Hello everyone,
The votes are in for our poll on commercial activity on MeetFighters.
| Votes | % of votes | Weighted % | |
| Disallow all commercial activity, including profile text, private messages, forums, blogs, etc. | 487 | 29% | 27% |
| Keep the "Classifieds" forum for the trade of small personal items. | 328 | 19% | 21% |
| Allow offers of commercial activity in private messages. | 225 | 13% | 15% |
| Allow offers of commercial activity in profile text. | 200 | 12% | 12% |
| Allow offers of commercial activity in blogs and forums. | 196 | 11% | 12% |
| Allow companies to register and promote their products on the site. | 157 | 9% | 8% |
| Allow everything. Capitalism ahoy! | 63 | 3% | 3% |
It is a somewhat mixed bag. The highest score goes to disallowing all commercial activity, with keeping the "Classifieds" forum in second place. Third place goes to allowing commercial activity in private messages. The first three places combined yield 63% of the weighted votes.
I am drawing the following conclusion: Commercial activity on MeetFighters shall be limited to the "Classifieds" forum and private messages. This means that no commercial activity will be allowed in other public areas of the site, including profile text, blog posts, forums, groups, etc. This policy is not, in fact, far from what is already in the site's Terms of Service. I have updated the Terms to make the limits more explicit:
Previous text of Terms of Service:
§4 Advertising on our pages is forbidden without the express permission of the site administrators.
- §4 Advertising on our pages is forbidden without the express permission of the site administrators.
- §4.1 It is forbidden to place advertisement for goods or services in any of the public areas of the site, including but not limited to:Your blog, your profile text, recommendations, forums, match requests and the public chat area.
- §4.2 Bulk unsolicited offers of goods and services by private messages is forbidden.
- §4.3 Members are permitted to post offers to buy or sell small personal items on the "Classifieds" forum.
While on the topic of changing the Terms of Service, I have added the following verbiage:
- DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, MEETFIGHTERS IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS OR GUARANTIES OF ANY KIND. MeetFighters.com is not a public utility and we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any or no reason.
- LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT AND UNDER NO LEGAL THEORY SHALL MEETFIGHTERS OR ANY OTHER PERSON WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF MEETFIGHTERS.COM BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE.
I hate this sort of text. I really do. It's ugly, unfriendly, unseemly and on some level against the spirit of the world wide web. Unfortunately recent events have proven that it is indeed necessary. I hate the person who has forced me to do this.
As always, the changes of the Terms of Service are now in effect. Your continued use of the site serves as an implicit acceptance of the new terms. Blah-blah-blah. Members who now have commercial stuff on their profiles or blogs get a 1-month grace period to clean up.
On a brighter note, I am working on a new feature called Fightopedia, which is designed to be a wiki for MeetFighters members. As always, your ideas are welcome.
Also, the first Monthly Surgery with Admin is this Sunday (31st of August) at 21:00 UTC. Go to the Chat page, it will show you the time according to your local time zone.
Admin out.
edscissors (31 )
30/8/2014 10:58I am sure that many of us are sad that you have had to resort to this but will back you 100% in what you have decided. After all, you are providing this excellent site for our benefit and I know that many people appreciate it very much indeed. It is an excellent site, generous in spirit and tone. Thank you.
Edward
grappleruk (120)
30/8/2014 11:45Hi Admin, thanks for being so open with all of us about this, it really is appreciated.
Mr Wrestling (13)
30/8/2014 11:58Do what you need to do to keep the site going. Thanks for everything! I will donate this week too!
luallavi (19)
30/8/2014 12:13Thanks mate! I can't believe people can be that way and actually damage the main spirit of this site. That shows us all that you can never be too careful. It is unfortunate but at least that will help the site avoid any similar issues. Anyways thanks a lot for your openness and keeping the site a living platform to meet cool guys that enjoy fighting! Take care.
fsmeets60 (14)
30/8/2014 12:26Fine with me, no problem!!1
Bear Combat Warrior (9 )
30/8/2014 13:27Hi Admin.
The service and website you have is excellent. It has allowed me to find like-minded people around the world.
Without question, I back you 100%, just as others have said too. It is a sad world that this has even to be considered, but it's the world we live in and the way some people are.
That said, there are some amazing guys on here, and I have made some life long friendships, all thanks to meetfighters.
Thank you and warm regards
Paul
Pedro Cage (16)
30/8/2014 13:40A have an important doubt.
Will the "event" service permit the comment of clubs, gyms and others, with prices to entrance, necessary for the correct communication?
Admin
30/8/2014 15:29(In reply to this)
We will be allowing events that do not charge more than what is needed to cover the costs.
Other events will be allowed in a case-by-case basis.
Pedro Cage (16)
31/8/2014 13:08(In reply to this)
Please, anything wrong you might give me an advise. The São Paulo events are made in a pub, so there are costs and people from other places perhaps need information a out hotels near to the pub. There is not commercial interest into the event, just to get together people and make new friends.
wrestlingspeedos (27)
30/8/2014 14:16meetfighters is the best !!!! B R A V O !!!
leanonme (4)
30/8/2014 14:34I support these policy changes you find necessary, and want to thank you for all the work and thought you put into this site, which makes it possible for us to "find" each other in a sometimes hostile and isolating world.
StrikeFighter (78 )
30/8/2014 14:43I couldn't agree more with what others have said in their comments. Well done, Admin.
GroundFite (90)
30/8/2014 15:03Admin,
Thanks for being so transparent with the process. I think the overwhelming majority of guys on this site support your efforts. Thanks for keeping this community going!
scubawrestler (91 )
30/8/2014 15:54I back you 100% Thanks
sczrlokd (0)
30/8/2014 15:59Admin - I want to throw in my support and agreement with everyone else here – this is a very-well administered and maintained site. Better than any of the 5 or 6 other sites that I've experienced. As promised, I'll wait my time - and hope to join the Admin team - as we've already discussed in separate messages.
Thanks – this is an awesome site!
Richard (2)
30/8/2014 20:45Yes, I too am in agreement with what you have done. I like the fact that I am part of a community of like-minded guys who are on here for purely personal reasons and not for commercial gain.
You say that the response has been a mixed bag, which statistically is true. However, I think that that majority of 29% possibly under-represents those who share that the views of that majority. Here is why. I did't vote because when I saw how the debate was trending a week or so back, the dominant view at that time was keep things as they are. Because I agreed with that I didn't bother to vote. I probably should have done. So I am glad about the result. I just wonder how many others acted as I did because they thought the result was a foregone conclusion.
This is a great site. Thanks guys.
readyforit (96)
30/8/2014 21:52I simply want to add my voice to all the positive messages you've received. I love the site's ethos. Unlike other wrestling sites created to make money yours is uniquely generously spirited. Long may it continue and flourish unhindered by mean spirited individuals.
Lion Mike55 (57)
30/8/2014 22:08If reklames are really necessaire , maybe related compagnies in wrestling-box-judo gear ?
Admin
31/8/2014 18:57(In reply to this)
That was indeed one of the options, but overwhelming the majority has voted against it. It is off the table for now.
fishandchips (2)
31/8/2014 04:44Sad to see you have had to resort to this but really pleased that you took time to consult and invite members of the site to a poll before making any decision on changing the terms of service. I do not know of any other site which does this.
Thank you
MixedFighter (1)
31/8/2014 06:46Your decision is accepted 😉
Mutz (0)
31/8/2014 12:23Hi Admin,
Hi Admin.
The website you provide for the members is excellent. It has allowed me to find like-minded people all round the world. Just when that one is left thinking one is all alone.
I endorse your final decision 100%, just as others have suggested as well. It is worth noting that this rather sad state of affairs had to be contemplated in the first place, but it's the world we live in and reflective of the way people are.
That said, there are some amazing people on here, and may it continue to prosper and grow.
Regards
Mutz
Admin
31/8/2014 15:21For anyone who is interested: the first "Monthly Surgery with Admin" is today, in 7.5 hours.
grappling hooked (33)
01/9/2014 08:19You might want to take a look at the female profiles on this site and look for the term "session wrestler"... that means they charge guys to wrestle, and their profile on here is an ad for that service...