Dear Thomas, please note this copy:
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An Industry Participant is an industry member who has not (yet) joined AudioCircle as an Industry Contributor.
JoiningIf you are an industry member, you are required to first join the Industry Participants group. You can do so by going to the group membership section of your profile, locating the Industry Participants group, and clicking on the Request Membership link.
From there, you will be able to go on to join the Industry Contributor group if desired.
You may also be added to the Industry Participant group by an Admin.
Posting Rules for Industry ParticipantsYou are free to participate in any topics that are not directly related to your products anywhere on the site. Please note that the Posting Guidelines always apply.
We encourage you to provide technical information about your products in response to member queries, but you are not permitted to discuss product availability, pricing, future product features, or anything related to your business activities.
If you are new to the site, or ahve newly started an audio business, you can introduce yourself and your product in the Industry Introductions section. You are permitted up to six months of activity in Industry Introductions, after which you will need to become an Industry Contributor to continue to use this site for commercial activities.
You are expected to exhibit Professional Conduct at all times.
AvatarsBecause you are not allowed to advertise anywhere on the site, and because your avatar appears anywhere that you post, you cannot have an avatar that looks like an advertisement, or is or incorporates your company logo. Any such avatar may be removed.
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There is more some explanations at left column links:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=about;area=industry-members