[About XDA developers] pndwal:
We actually have such a thread:

https://xdaforums.com/t/discussion-magisk-alpha-public-released-fork-vvb2060.4424845/post-86670961

Nb. In OP we have links to GitHub source for Alpha packages for JSON/update purposes, but these are being neglected and don't often link the latest builds... Eg currently GitHub has April 13 but latest public build on TG is May 24..

The TG links were posted for some time but at some point the entire thread was edited by a mod leaving the red edits and obscure rule ref...

Before this I had remarked on the difficulty keeping up with various rule interpretations and changes here (first paragraph):

https://xdaforums.com/t/discussion-magisk-alpha-public-released-fork-vvb2060.4424845/post-86721599

When I noticed that the rule was again (after @digeridoohan's clarification) being applied to remove information links (not just file links) I posted this:

https://xdaforums.com/t/discussion-magisk-alpha-public-released-fork-vvb2060.4424845/post-87099353

and this:

https://xdaforums.com/t/discussion-magisk-alpha-public-released-fork-vvb2060.4424845/post-87100365

No response was made in relation to the rules or the sloppy editing (mod removal of changelog text)... But clearly, even mods are confused about how the rules apply, let alone users!

Well, really the rules explicitly prohibit linking any TG file sources as they stand, and have also been applied to remove 'pertinent' information even if in error (as shown above)...

I'm sure some mods would view efforts to skirt around clear rules as breaking them too, which is why I believe strongly that proper clarification of the intent and and application of such rules is best for everyone here.

If the rules are really to prevent "linking to / promoting sites similar / substantially similar to XDA-Developers.com." & "Encouraging members to participate in forum activities on other phone related sites", then surely a public TG channel as a file source (these are never for discussion in any case AFAIK) could easily be made an exception added to rule 11 per:

- "linking project files (builds etc) from TG channel sources is acceptable as long as these channels in no way promote sites similar / substantially similar to XDA-Developers.com or encourage members to participate in forum activities on other phone related sites."

After all, XDA is in some ways responsible for these Devs (many Chinese) using mediums like TG private discussions to support their users (by enforcing the 'English only' rule etc) anyway, and conversely it's unlikely that XDA will lose English speaking users to such groups...

I rarely participate in such discussions, but use a TG client with inbuilt translation to keep abreast of Alpha, LSPosed, Hide My Applist, Shamiko and other Magisk/root related development out of personal interest, and I have passed many developments on in XDA threads for years now.

Yup; public channels can simply be "previewed" in a browser but files etc need a proper TG client (and registered account) to access... Please do see what can be done about this; it wouldn't be too soon!

... I guess strictly we shouldn't even link GitHub posts with CI (continuous integration) development builds here ATM since, while releases on GitHub can be downloaded simply, CI builds and other resources require registration for access, so a more tolerant policy on file source requirements could also help make development/testing discussions here more compliant too!

Regards, PW