What we've tried to do is NOT set hard and fast rules, but instead rely on the "spirit of the law" (so to speak) that ATP welcomes vendors in all of the forums, but that we will not be overrun with advertisements. We've found that making hard and fast rules only makes more rules to further clarify, and turns moderators and admin into a police force- not fun for anyone.
The moderators are really key here in determining if a seller is posting only in order to advertise, or if the spirit is to pass quality info on to other members.
Questions come up. Posts are sometimes re-evaluated. Following up on questions- these are all things that allow us to be flexible and make sure that we are still on the track that we want to be on. It's always good to double check, and it's always good for members to ask questions and voice concerns. Checks and balances are good things.
ATP is a fairly self policing community. We believe that everyone makes a name for themselves. I don't think that a "free-for-all" would be very tolerated because the community at large knows that would just ruin things for everyone.
We're very happy with how ATP runs, and continues to run. A post or two may or may not be in the perfect place- that's not a problem for us. The spirit of ATP is that we all have fun, and that this is a place welcoming to everyone, and I think we're doing so. By following the spirit, hopefully we can continue in the same way we began.
