The condensed version goes like this:

Self-promotion isn't allowed on ART, either in this forum or any of the other non-sponsored forums except the Swap Meet forum. Or the Dungeon, where anything goes that doesn't get us busted.

Shilling also isn't allowed, whether by sockpuppet or by someone in the real world. Money doesn't have to change hands to define the shill. Motivations for shilling are pretty varied. I've seen shills be dealers, people hoping for jobs, even people just wanting attention hanging on the short hairs of someone they think is an expert.

The thing about this particular forum is it encourages group purchases. It is an extension of the other forums in that a few designs are chosen to be built by everyone. Basically, if interest is consistently shown in other forums for a particular DIY design, someone might suggest a group build here. Or sometimes the regulars here suggest one, just because they're eager to do something new. Somebody throws out an idea, and if it catches hold, people build it and outline their progress here. Parts prices drop due to purchasing power in numbers and product support is good because of the number of same systems built.

It also gives this forum more chance that it could be exploited. That's why the moderator has agreed to watch it pretty closely and to orchestrate group purchases. That way the forum can't be hijacked by someone with a profit motive. I think the transformer Douglas is talking about is one that was discussed for a amplifier project called Merlin. I suppose the transformer could be sourced from you or Heyboer or ElectraPrint or Sowter, but I'm not sure.

Designs that are posted here are the property of their authors. By posting here, ART has license to display it but ART doesn't own it. So if someone champions a design and it becomes very popular, they are encouraged to open a sponsored forum of their own and to sell and support it there. But no advertisements are allowed in the Group Build forum, just like other open forums on ART.