Lol…
Dave, the answer to your question should be obvious, judging by how popular the digital section of the forum is, as well as other areas (such as the DIY room) where the subject of computer audio often crops up.
The exchange you witnessed recently in Private Exhibitions occurred simply because, much as I recognise and accept that computers are part of the enthusiast audio scene these days, the mod team and I don’t wish to see the classifieds section of the forum clogged up with sales of phones and laptops.
If that area of the site is allowed to become a haven for sales of computer-related paraphernalia, then what’s to stop folk, who aren't even into hi-fi, joining AoS simply to sell their old laptops or phones (remember how many new members joining find us from Google searches, which bring up gear for sale in Private Exhibitions) - and then what will we be left with?
If we allow that to happen, we’re potentially opening up a big can of worms, and furthermore, exposing ourselves to a world of potential nightmares, in terms of moderating and managing unwanted/unauthorised ads.
The bottom line is that it would simply be impossible to differentiate between sales of genuine ‘computer audio’, by audio enthusiasts, from sales of general computer paraphernalia, by 'Tom, Dick or Harry’, especially if those advertising it were unknown and new to AoS - and I will not have our advertising facilities, or the forum itself, misused in that way.
Therefore, we’ve come to decision on the matter, and it is this:
Sales of laptops/tablets/drives or phones will be allowed, but
solely after permission has been sought [and granted] by either a member of the mod team or me, via a request by PM. That should weed out folk just coming here to sell stuff and save on ebay fees.
However, permission for such will be granted
only to trusted members who regularly use the forum and contribute constructively to discussions, which in turn will act as a reward for them helping build our community.
An official announcement on this matter will be made in due course
Marco.