Not to get too off topic answer why's and what's about that thread, but the sole reason for the need of value equity was so people didn't take something nice and offer peanuts, which ended up happening sometimes anyway. It's too easy to take advantage of the system without it and then it's just paying forward peanuts, not really doing anyone any good either. Unless you really like peanuts.
I have to imagine any organized institution that gives regularly has some type of qualification to receive a gift. Even GAW's on the forum often have criteria to enter the giveaway, like being a paid member which is a pay to play system.
A trade involves 2 people directly exchanging items with each other. The PIF operated in 3's, so to speak. I offer A, you claim A and offer B, Johnny rocket claims B and offers C. In a trade, I offer A, you give me B and I give you A. A trade is a closed loop, pay it forward is open... or I guess a bigger loop at least if it's only a handful of people offering and claiming things. The bigger closed loop is where the swap meet comments come from, which still is different than a trade or a give away so not necessarily belonging to one of the threads of the mentioned the pay it forward thread belonged.
Okay, I typed more than I expected. Sorry gents. Also apologize for the spelling mistakes that are probably there, typing on my phone and I can't type for poo on touch screen.
Edit: Thinking more, the thread wasn't really a true pay it forward either. Perpetual trade/GAW/PIF hybrid of sorts? I'm not sure what you would call it, but it has elements of all 3 but is starkly different
Also fixed a few mispellings. I phone has the dumby check turned off because it doesn't recognize scientific words and I got tired of fighting it. Can't spell with it anyway, so not sure it helped. I try to proofread profession texts much better than forum posts from my phone.
