No, I don't think the rule is unfair. That would involve some level of thought, malice, or at least a distaste for commerce. Which, given this forum's proven history of supporting scams as long as they pay the advertising fees, is an insane thought.
I think this rule is insane. I think this rule is arbitrary and capricious, and a rather pathetic attempt to garner more advertising revenue without any sort of solid advertising plan or rules regarding such, or price lists..
My earlier comments were to BadBear, who I usually like. He ignored them. Since that's been the case, I have merely aired my grievance in public. This does not affect my posting, as I do not (currently) operate any of the now banned essential services. I have watched this unfold, and watched it being (legitimately) ignored. Like it or not, all things cryptocurrency eventually find their way to this forum. If Theymos needs more revenue, that's understandable. He should consult with businesspeople on how he might do that. Arbitrary and capricious rules with the sole purpose of restricting commerce on a website supposedly dedicated to a new form of commerce do not make monetary or ethical sense. Some restriction on the number of posts per thread to prevent spam, sure. A blanket denial on services that we all rely on in some manner? That could ONLY make sense to someone high on drugs or power.
I am a miner, a trader, and an activist. Not necessarily in that order. I follow the latest happenings in a number of threads. I do NOT regularly scan the OP, and judging by the other posts, neither do the majority of your users. This is ordinary and not egregious. Some of these threads run to hundreds of pages, and just keeping up is often difficult, let alone scanning the OP for posts, or seeking out pools or exchanges via other threads. There is NOT ONE THING in this rule that will actually reduce spam, as an enterprising operator is going to start a new thread and get his friends and sock puppets to bump the hell out of it. Why? because it needs to be noticed by the customers, miners, and yes, casual readers of these fora.
This rule was not thought out. I won't say it was poorly thought out because there was CLEARLY no thought behind it. It was the blind reaction of an amoeba to stimulus, or a drunkard, or a crackhead.
I know this will likely be deleted. It don't matter. It will be seen.
I also am calling you, mprep, personally for your statement "I didn't make the rule...". That is the Nuremburg defense. Those men were hanged. It is NOT a valid defense when asked or ordered to do something you KNOW to be morally suspect. It never has been and it never will be. You seem a decent sort, but you need to take a serious look at what you do. Theymos is too lazy to enforce this, and you know it. If you are trying to get it overturned by it's zealous enforcement, say so. Ulysses S. Grant was not wrong in that assessment. But don't go with the copout. It lessens you.
You've stated some good points. However, I can't act against the rules created and aproven by both admins. This is where the community (which is affected the most) should express their opinions. If you or anyone else believes that this rule is, as Biomech said, "insane", I suggest PMing BadBear with a well reasoned and thought out message and he might remove this rule. Until then, my hands are tied.