As I have a link to my own website in my sig line, I thought I'd better put my own point of view forward on this topic!
I started my own website purely and simply as a means of expressing my interest in A) wildlife and nature in general ... and B) photography .... and I know from emails I have received that other people have discovered my website and been able to identify things they have found in the garden, or if it is not on the site, to maybe point them in the right direction for an ID (since arriving on WAB, I have already been asked for a couple of IDs which I couldn't do, and I referred them here with a glowing recommendation!).
Putting my website in my sig line here was more a way of saying to like-minded individuals "Hey people, here's my little wildlife effort in case anybody fancies a look. I know it's not on the scale of WAB, but it never was intended to be - it's my little hobby and you're quite welcome to come and have a wander around."
I have referred to it occasionally on thread, with a link to the necessary page, when I have seen someone asking for an ID on WAB for an insect or plant that I have already identified on my site, which I would think is acceptable? After all, we are all here to help one another, aren't we?
Of course, I agree that linking of any any commercial site here on the WAB forums is to be frowned upon - that's not what we are here for. Or indeed, "poaching" of wildlife enthusiasts to another wildlife forum through excessive links on WAB morally shouldn't be allowed. On the other hand, if WAB is entertaining enough, friendly enough, and knowledgeable enough (which it is, on all counts) then I would hope that the bonds that are built up here would preclude people jumping ship mid-voyage in this manner.
In my humble opinion, I have felt at home here from my very first post, I'm slowly getting to know all the members and enjoy my time here immensely. I think it would take a great deal of persuasion now to make me go to another wildlife forum. This is home ....
