commission/trade sub forum?

[A-Man]

Sorry for gravedigging, but is this still going to be implemented?

[YinYin]

Still ready for it.

Might spam it with small/big/simple/partial/finishing sprite jobs.

[Silverthorn]

Sorry for gravedigging, but is this still going to be implemented?

My bad, flew under my radar

I now added the forum with an info-post. If you have anything else related to it, please post it here so we keep that forum clean

[YinYin]

The Commissions & Trades forum has been set up so that threads are only visible by registered users. This is to ensure that crawlers cannot index any details about private data shared through offerings or requests.

I recommend that to happen privately either way.

[Hellblazer]

For paid services, it is ideal for both parties to sign a contract to have a legally binding document that both sides can rely on. For trading, similar agreements may be made. I personally recommend setting this up to be on the safe side. Please note that, after all, the use of this forum happens at your own risk.

Things to include in a contract (Click to View)

A contract does not have to include a ton of fine print but it helps outlining the project, what you will be offering (or requesting), and the costs. It needs to be signed by both parties. The following is a list of elements to include in a contract.
Contact information of both parties.
Outline what the job entails. Write what each party is responsible for. This passage should define clearly what work is to be done. If, for example, the client asks for additional work not listed in the contract, write up a new contract to make sure you are getting fair compensation for the work.
Time frames. Both parties should agree upon a timeline for the project. It does not have to be complicated but figuring out due dates beforehand really helps with the project.
Who owns the finished project? With paid work, you will have to settle for a license which defines what the client may use the project for. Typical licenses are limited licenses (the creator retains all copyrights and defines what the project may be used for) and exclusive licenses (it is up to the client what he wants to do with it or not because he essentially becomes the owner of the project). After all, with exclusive licenses, a client could resell the project if he wishes. This is why settling this in a contract is important to achieve appropriate reimbursement.
Both parties will have to sign and date the contract. Each party gets their own copy of the contract to keep.
If these points have been met appropriately, it's time to get working!

Oh man seriously, monetary business, contracts...?
Oh gosh, this will SURELY destroy LFE... This isn't even the sole purpose of LFE, just seems like another buff upto it. If something ditches up, even though you said that

the use of this forum happens at your own risk.

There are usually chances that something will go horribly wrong.

Just my opinion though, so yeah..

[Silverthorn]

Oh man seriously, monetary business, contracts...?

As soon as there is physical money involved, people can get quite sour about it. As I said, you don't have to follow these guidelines (which is why I call them guidelines and not rules). The stuff comes from my personal experience and so far, I have never had problems handling it thus. Then again, you are welcome to handle it totally differently; none of my business
Fun fact: somebody at deviantart actually asked me a while back if I could create a background for him in exchange for cash, so there actually are people like that

Oh gosh, this will SURELY destroy LFE... This isn't even the sole purpose of LFE, just seems like another buff upto it.

Please, do tell me what the "sole purpose of LFE" actually is. I'm honestly curious what it means to you.

any details about private data shared through offerings or requests.

I recommend that to happen privately either way.

Added another passage advising to keep it all private.

[YinYin]

One more thing.
For most of my planned threads in there neither offer nor request seems an appropriate prefix (including both offer and request - specifically linked).
Just go with no prefix for all of those or better also include a [Trade] prefix?

this will SURELY destroy LFE...

If you intend to partake in commissions with that attitude you may accomplish that for yourself.
But please don't hate on me if I end up throwing money at people for their awesome work.

[A-Man]

I see this as LFE moving forward. We're growing, and the number of younger LF2 players is getting less and less as LF2 is becoming less of a "special" kind of game.

LF2 has survived this far only because of mod-ability and productive fan-base, the former which has gotten rather limited and doesn't quite allow what one might have in mind. The new LF2 extended team lead by a fan, Momento, is trying to create a new fresh mod which I hope will succeed in becoming a fan-made successor. I am not sure if they're using the Neora exe or anything of that sort, but since those seem to be getting more and more stable, given that they will use it and the game becomes what's expected, it may become a standard people can use and base-off for more mods for a few more years at least.

Regardless, constantly building on an ancient game will eventually get tedious that the new people will prefer starting their own games from scratch, and LF2 will starting to plummet (if it hasn't already). That's when the older fans, those whom understood the original game's magic, may intervene and come up with a new inspired successor which may, or may not, keep the fanbase's momentum.

A sub-forum of this sort might actually serve as an additional reason for older members to stay, and a purpose for new talented people to register even; yes, making a few bucks. There is nothing wrong nor messy about making money via commissions; in fact, I do know people whom make living off those on dA. That is assuming there will be any "[commission]" tagged threads at all, so let's not forget the other purpose of the new sub-forum, "trading". Don't overthink it.

[Silverthorn]

Just go with no prefix for all of those or better also include a [Trade] prefix?

Sure, prefix added!

I see this as LFE moving forward. We're growing, and the number of younger LF2 players is getting less and less as LF2 is becoming less of a "special" kind of game.

[...]

A sub-forum of this sort might actually serve as an additional reason for older members to stay, and a purpose for new talented people to register even; yes, making a few bucks.

Precisely what I think. LF2 has gotten old and barely attracts any young audiences anymore (which is what most of LFE's member list consisted of). And what is here to keep long-term members bound? I feel like the older you get, the more your life revolves around money (unless you hit a certain point in life and can basically live off what you have accumulated for the rest of your life), so bringing this element in actually seems like the most decent idea of this year.

[Hellblazer]

@Doctor A and @Blue Phoenix
Okay, you proved me wrong, i admit, i did not think about it in that manner.