Bikeraz2000

Deletion of flying club external links

Thanks for your question on why I deleted the links to your forum website.

I deleted your links to your forum because it does not comply with: Wikipedia:External_links#Links_normally_to_be_avoided specifically in that it is:

• A site that does not provide a unique resource beyond what the article would contain if it became a Featured article.
• A link mainly intended to promote your website. This is called "spamming" See Wikipedia:Spam#External_link_spamming.

and especially

• A link to a social networking site, discussion forum/group

Basically external links to forums are not permitted in Wikipedia articles because they do not meet WP:Notability requirements and are just there to promote the forum website and not because they contribute anything to the article. Wikipedia is not a place to promote your own website. If you are posting a link to a website you created, see Wikipedia:COI - Ahunt (talk) 11:15, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

I see ....

How come you Cite the Diamond Aviator Association when they are clearly a meeting forum as well.

They are in the same situation according to wiki rules.

The DAA is

Links to site that requires payment or registration to view the relevant content. They are a closed forum where users need to register and pay to access this information. In addition users who would like to pay still can't access due to politics within their organization.

Links mainly intended to promote a website / users forum

Links to sites with objectionable amounts of advertising

Links to social networking sites, discussion forums/group

Can you explain how the DAA is omitted from these rules and we are not?

They are not sponsored by Diamond and they are also a social meeting group with a meeting forum?

The DAA is "promoted" on Wiki, and they clearly state they are a social group and learning forum.

It seems a little skewed if one association can list themselves as a link and others can't?

Our site has a few articles of safety for Diamond airplane and active issues regarding the DA40 and problems associated with this aircraft.

If your organization is an actual aircraft type club and offers more services than just a forum then it can be mentioned in the aircraft type club listings as a type club. The main problem is that the internet is filled with tens of thousands of forums about aircraft, almost all of which are non-notable and don't belong on Wikipedia. - Ahunt (talk) 21:38, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Duly noted.

We offer options to owners and operators with issues and concerns regarding the Diamond Aircraft line. No association is associated or endorsed by Diamond Aircraft industries. Our group, The Diamond Aircraft owners group provides knowledge on issues with DA20's, DA40's and DA42's. Yes we do provide local meetings and gatherings for fellow enthusiasts, but so does the DAA.

How can we submit without being in violation of wiki rules.

I believe that it is unfair for one group to add an external link and others can't. Can you illustrate that the Diamond Aviators is not a meeting forum that REQUIRES REGISTRATION AND A PAID MEMBERSHIP. Our group is free of charge and is open to everyone, unlike the "DAA".

Working on the basis that what you have is a real aircraft type club, I have created a new text entry and ref for the club at Diamond Aircraft Industries. See what you think of that. Let's see if the other editors leave it in place! - Ahunt (talk) 22:53, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

I have also addeds similar text to the articles on Diamond DA20 · Diamond DA40 · Diamond DA42 · Diamond DA50 · Diamond D-Jet. I think that this gives more "encyclopedic" coverage of the club and will reduce that chances of it being labeled "self-promotion" and removed. - Ahunt (talk) 00:38, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Thank you so much for all of your help. Like I stated before we offer free information to all. No fees or dues are required to join unlike other organizations. We will strive to provide non bias info to everyone.

The key thing is that Wikipedia gets thousands of forums trying to use the encyclopedia as an advertising tool everyday - those get deleted fast. Sometimes it is hard to sort the wheat from the chaff! If it is properly sourced and written in an encyclopedic style then it is more likely to be accepted as notable content and stay in the articles. - Ahunt (talk) 11:04, 12 March 2008 (UTC)