Aaron,
First, let me point out that throwing me under the bus this way, in public, off list, is a really excellent way to sow dissention on the forum, where this is already something of a hot-button topic. I respect that you disagree with me, and I'm willing to discuss it with you - and now I may as well do it here, so hold on a sec for that - but coming in this way, and then not even being willing to name your source, stinks of unprofessionalism and a power play in one go.
Nevertheless, here we are, so let's have this out.
Never once did I say that people cannot mention the vault. See? I just did so right there. Nothing wrong with that. Here are some more context-sensitive examples where it would be okay, with explanations, at least as far as I see it.
1. You can't mention the audiovault here.
Rationale: obvious; this is someone telling someone else not do break the rules
2. The audio vault is a really ambitious project, and...
Rationale: You're describing the vault, and not actually endorsing its use. Respecting the work that's gone into it is fine.
3. The vault came into being in (year)…
Rationale: Instead of praising it, you're explaining its history. Again, perfectly safe.
So in contexts where you want to discuss the vault in a nonspecific way, this is fine.
But here's the deal.
The reason I issued a caution (remember, no one actually got punished here) is because someone asked for something, and the immediate response was to point them at a website with illegal content. This totally defeats the purpose of not allowing the link. If person A asks a question, and person B provides an answer to that question, then it is logical that person A will probably do the legwork because they were encouraged by person B's answer. This isn't rocket science.
Using your justification, Aaron, anyone who asks, "where can I get (insert illegal material here)?" can be told "try the audio vault", and that's okay. Uh, no. Totally defeats the purpose.
Perhaps you and I have different understanding of "it's okay to mention the vault, just not to link to it", but torpedoing me this way in public is totally not the way to go. I am not convinced by your rhetoric and, given that no actual punishment was given, I see no reason to change my stance or to rescind anything that I have said.
I would ask that if you want to discuss this further, we switch to a different medium. You've made your case. I've made mine. Any further talk to this end, as administrators, should happen via a different channel.
Check out my Manamon text walkthrough at the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z8ls3rc3f4mkb … n.txt?dl=1