JamesSLawrence

In reference to the below warning, can you explain why I am not to include my web page as an external link while the following link is included two times http://www.silvatree.com/princess.html I believe my website offers a great deal of useful information on Paulownia and my site is no more commercial than that of silvatree.com JamesSLawrence (talk) 02:36, 13 August 2011 (UTC) Thank you Mark.

August 2011

This is your only warning; if you use Wikipedia for soapboxing, promotion or advertising again, as you did at Paulownia, you may be blocked from editing without further notice. —Mark Dominus (talk) 16:21, 12 August 2011 (UTC)

Regarding your comment above: I am sorry that you do not understand the meaning of "commercial". Your site is selling paulownia trees for profit and is therefore a commercial venture. I hope this clears things up for you.

For details about Wikipedia policy about external links, please see the pages Wikipedia:Spam, Wikipedia:Conflict of interest, and Wikipedia:External links. I hope this is helpful. —Mark Dominus (talk) 03:52, 13 August 2011 (UTC)

I am not attempting to undermine or challenge any policy. I apologise for not checking the policy prior to my edit. My mistake was to assume it was acceptable in line with the other content on the page but there's no excuse to run a red light just because the car in front has done so.

I also apologise for wasting your time with questions but what I was asking is why are two of the existing external links to another commercial site?

Also, within the body of the article there is reference to "Reforestation projects" and a list of commercial companies. I don't believe these companies are charities. Like myself, they may have as motivation a care for the environment, but they develop plantations for profit; by charging investors management fees and / or selling the wood. My business mostly propagates and sells the seedlings while these companies sell them including planting, but we are all in the business of selling Paulownia trees. Is the external link to Silva Tree's website allowable on the basis that they are mentioned within the article? If I was to add a few details of Toad Gully Growers' past 20 years development of Paulownia genetics and nursery operations (which includes new propagation methods and supply of millions of trees worldwide) would that make an external link to my commercial website also acceptable? If the policy answer is no I politely suggest it would perhaps be best to simply remove all commercial references. It is a question of fairness and consistency.

No need for a rapid response if you are busy but I would request your consideration. Best Regards, JamesSLawrence (talk) 06:54, 13 August 2011 (UTC)

I think we ought to take this up at Talk:Paulownia. Other editors may disagree with my evaluation. —Mark Dominus (talk) 08:03, 14 August 2011 (UTC)