# Is there a rule about linking to other message boards? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 17, 2005, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rule-about-linking-to-other-message-boards/304200 "2005-05-17T05:30:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rule-about-linking-to-other-message-boards/304200/1 "2005-05-17T05:30:10Z")
I seem to have a hazy recollection of some such rule, but can’t remember if it’s a general prohibition, or only on certain message boards that we’ve had inter-dimensional warfare with in the past, like the “flatbread house”, the eschatological board and the “bad weather board”. F’rinstance, in this thread [Learning Scots Gaelic](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=316851) , the bobdunsire board came up in discussion. I was going to post a link to a particular thread on that board, but then got this hazy thought that it was against SDMB rules, so I just discussed it without a link. Could I get a clarification on this point? Don’t want to breach the rules, but in some extremely rare instances other boards may actually have more information on a particular point than is the case here (I know, shocking to contemplate :eek: ) and a link to another board may contribute to fighting ignorance. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rule-about-linking-to-other-message-boards/304200/2 "2005-05-17T10:35:50Z")
As I understand it, linking to other sites that host message boards is fine - happens all the time - shouldn’t be any different to linking to any other content. What definitely isn’t fine is inciting (deliberately or accidentally) a board war; if, say, someone has a question about lawnmowers that might be a bit esoteric for the SDMB, recommending that they visit the _Lawns and Garden Tractors Online Forum_ should be fine (or I would certainly hope so), whereas posting a thread asking people to come and bolster your argument about electric lawnmowers there, would not. IANAMod/Admin though ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rule-about-linking-to-other-message-boards/304200/3 "2005-05-17T11:24:51Z")
I’ll confirm **Mangetout** ’s comments, though. Basically, it depends on circumstances whether a link to another board is appropriate – depends on the board, the topic, and the circs around the link. And, of course, all links should be workplace-safe. (That means, many people sign on at work, and if they happen to click on a link, they should not have something potentially embarrassing in the workplace flashing on their screen. Instead, use an indirect, two-link step… that way, they don’t get to the embarrassing screen accidentally.) ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rule-about-linking-to-other-message-boards/304200/4 "2005-05-17T14:24:25Z")
IANAMod, but it’s been my understanding since shortly after I joined that **context is everything**. If anything is pejorative of another board as a board, it’s against the standard usage here. This goes squared and cubed in spades for anything that might instigate a board war. However, a mere reference to discussion elsewhere that does not put down that board, even if it might be negative against a given member of that board, is not considered wrong. I’ve linked to discussions on a number of boards that helped to clarify or amplify a discussion here, and even pitted a number of people who were taking a stance on another board which I differed with strongly, making clear that I was not complaining about the board itself but some of its members. FWIW, if “the flatbread house” is what I think you mean by it, it had a longstanding good relationship with this board, with staff on either board members at the other. It was itself founded by people objecting to poor moderation of the I-believe-now-defunct “sinister buttock” board, with which this board had a New Years Eve encounter years ago, and seeking to provide an alternative. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rule-about-linking-to-other-message-boards/304200/5 "2005-05-17T19:23:04Z")
Thanks for the clarification , **CK** , and for the comments, **Mangetout** and **Polycarp**. Glad to know it’s all tied to the prime directive: do not be a jerk about things. **Polycarp** , I had a vague recollection of some unpleasantness with that board, after the “sinsiter buttock” fiasco. I must have been thinking of something else - thanks for that clarification as well. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rule-about-linking-to-other-message-boards/304200/6 "2005-05-17T19:28:10Z")
> [@](#): > > . . . I-believe-now-defunct “sinister buttock” board . . . It’s still there - albeit in a slightly different form in a slightly different location.