Actually, the rules as posted in the "Message Board Rules" section do not prohibit the posting of direct links to commercial sites. The only two rules I see that are near to referring to this issue, are rules #6 and #8.
Rule #6 states, "No one is allowed to sell or promote THEIR products on the Primitive Archer Message Boards, unless it is under the paid classified ad section of the board. You are still allowed to TRADE under the trading post." If a person is not promoting THEIR products then it doesn't apply to posting a link of a product they are not associated with. I read this rule as an attempt to keep people from joining this site just to promote their business, which I support completely.
Rule #8 states, "Only paying advertisers (in the magazine or on the website) will be allowed to have links on their signature to their home page." This rule only deals with web site addresses on a members signature. It does not deal with post a link in the topic section.
I completely understand that Primitive Archer Magazine is a business whose income comes from selling ad space. And, I don't want this site that I love to become posts of advertising this or that product. I just want the rules to be made clearer.
If there are rules posted other than as "sticky topics" in each section please direct me to them.
This response is made with love and caring for the forum and my bother bowyers.
Dave