Links to Commercial Support for Boost?

From: Beman Dawes (bdawes_at_[hidden])
Date: 2001-10-04 10:25:53

We've had a request from someone who wants to offer commercial support for 
Boost libraries (and already has one contract to do so.)  The request is 
for a link to their web site on the Boost web site.

The requester is well-qualified, but I'm not sure that matters for the 
general discussion we need to have about how to handle such requests.

On one hand, we should certainly encourage commercial support for Boost 
libraries, and one really good way to do that is via links on the Boost web 
site.  Perhaps on a separate "Support" page.

On the other hand, how do we prevent incompetents or even outright crooks 
from submitting links for a Boost Support page?

(Obviously we would have a disclaimer on the web page, but I'd personally 
feel more comfortable with active filtering by several people.)

Perhaps require that the links be to persons or organizations known to be 
familiar with Boost.

If so, "known" to who? The moderators? A special group of Boosters? Any 
Boost member?

And what constitutes being "familiar with Boost"?  Being a long-time 
member? A past message poster? A Boost developer? Any of those?

What about a company or consultant already active in the support business, 
but with no history of Boost evolvement?  Personally, I'd rather start with 
tight limits requiring past involvement, then loosen up later if indicated.

Comments?

--Beman