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Old 03-22-2010, 11:31 PM   #1
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Need some input

I'm trying not to do pure advertising to help support the site. Currently I'm looking at using the amazon model to help out.. Basically use the link if you like purchase items from Amazon.. I put up an example under http://escapeforum.org/index.php?board=14.0..

So let me know if you think it's too intrusive..

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Old 03-22-2010, 11:47 PM   #2
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Re: Need some input


I clicked on your link three times trying to see what you were referring to before I noticed it.

baglo
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Old 03-22-2010, 11:50 PM   #3
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Re: Need some input

I had to change the permissions to allow all groups to see it.. sorry.. should see the link now..

I wanted to try to test it out w/o effecting everyone else.. and just couldn't get the post up and then the permission fast enough..


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Old 03-23-2010, 12:03 AM   #4
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Re: Need some input

So, it's just a logo and link to Amazon?
Doesn't bother me, but I question how effective it is as an ad, unless I'm missing something.
It appears to just ask if I'm in the market to buy something and offers a link.

baglo
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Old 03-23-2010, 12:17 AM   #5
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Re: Need some input

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
So, it's just a logo and link to Amazon?
Doesn't bother me, but I question how effective it is as an ad, unless I'm missing something.
It appears to just ask if I'm in the market to buy something and offers a link.

baglo
It's an ad but a passive one.. basically the intent is if you're a fan of Amazon and you purchase from them normally, we're asking them to use this link instead of going directly to the site. That way forum will get some credit..
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Old 03-23-2010, 03:45 AM   #6
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Re: Need some input

A simple banner doesn't bother me.
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Old 03-23-2010, 04:45 AM   #7
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Re: Need some input

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
A simple banner doesn't bother me.
Nor me. It is a reminder however, that there is some cost to having a helpful, fun forum like we have here. This is one way to help offset the cost. The other is the above bar that lists: HOME, HELP, SEARCH, PROFILE, MY MESSAGES, GALLERY, AND DONATIONS.
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Old 03-23-2010, 10:14 AM   #8
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Re: Need some input

It doesn't bother me either. I think it's an easy unobtrusive way to help support the site. We frequently buy things via amazon so we'll definitely generate some credits for the forum going forward.

One suggestion... Would it be possible to move the logo/link to the space in top right of the page - underneath the date/time stamp? If it could go in the unused space of that existing frame, it wouldn't push the rest of the page lower as it does in the current location. If not, no big deal.
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Old 03-23-2010, 12:11 PM   #9
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Re: Need some input

I am a member of several large forums:
  • One has a feature like this Amazon ad, but it is more specific to the hobby - it is a link to a photography store supporting a camcorder forum. Not only does the forum get some funding, but I think the user gets a discount. I go to that forum for help and instruction, but not for "community."
  • One is entirely user supported. Donors have access to financial statements. There is a surplus in the bank. There is no advertising at all.
  • One puts a rotating star over the avatar of a donor.
  • One has been advertiser supported, but has recently been bought by one of the advertisers. The users have gotten quite upset by the increase in advertising - it has gotten ugly.

While I don't object to this advertisement, I prefer the user supported model. I just prefer a clean screen. That said, I confess that I have not contributed money to this forum.

Jeff, would you be willing to share privately with trusted members what your expenses are?
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Old 03-23-2010, 12:46 PM   #10
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Re: Need some input

Jeff, it is entirely fine with me! The banner is not intrusive, like those annoying pop-in ads! AND it will help this forum!
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Old 03-23-2010, 01:26 PM   #11
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Re: Need some input

Quote:
Originally Posted by ronstew
I am a member of several large forums:
  • One has a feature like this Amazon ad, but it is more specific to the hobby - it is a link to a photography store supporting a camcorder forum. Not only does the forum get some funding, but I think the user gets a discount. I go to that forum for help and instruction, but not for "community."
  • One is entirely user supported. Donors have access to financial statements. There is a surplus in the bank. There is no advertising at all.
  • One puts a rotating star over the avatar of a donor.
  • One has been advertiser supported, but has recently been bought by one of the advertisers. The users have gotten quite upset by the increase in advertising - it has gotten ugly.

While I don't object to this advertisement, I prefer the user supported model. I just prefer a clean screen. That said, I confess that I have not contributed money to this forum.

Jeff, would you be willing to share privately with trusted members what your expenses are?
Ron:

thanks for your thoughts.. I always try to accommodate the members viewpoints prior to doing anything, that's why I put out there as an example. I was planning on just using the generic link to Amazon w/o trying to qualify a department/category for usage.. So that if you shop there via the forum link we get credit. No biggie, I wasn't trying to put stuff in all the post that clutter up the screen..

As for sharing my cost.. I don't really want to try to quantify all the time & money that has gone into creating & maintenance of the forum, software & hardware purchased. It kind-of takes the fun out of it, yes money is always a factor but it's just a measure of validation in some regards. Every morning I wake up & check the site make sure everything is ok (and several times a day).. If there's an issue, I deal with it. I plan travel extensively next couple of months and will probably need some data plan on my PC, when Wifi is not available. I'm not going to rely on giving out my phone number for someone to call me so I can frantically try to find a coffee shop with Wifi to correct the problem.. So, I'll pay for the plan and get the benefit of access.. If the forum can contribute some money to offset it great, if not I'm going to do it anyway.. It's just a forum that I'm dedicated to, heck I don't even have a Escape anymore ..

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Old 03-23-2010, 01:34 PM   #12
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Re: Need some input

Heck, we know you do it for the love of doing it. And you don't have to qualify the need for a little donation to pay for that trip to Hawaii for the "forum hints" meeting : - ) We appreciate you Jeff! Anyone good enough to find a wife almost as beautiful as mine is worthy of trust!
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Old 03-23-2010, 01:35 PM   #13
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Re: Need some input

I forgot to applaud you. Jeff, for asking for our input. In the other forum I mentioned, the new owner could have saved himself a lot of grief by asking for opinions before implementing change.

I own some web sites, and back in the early days (mid 1990s) I was spending about $300 a month on traffic fees. So I have an appreciation for the time, money and effort that you are putting in. Happily, we have a pretty good group of users in this little forum, so I understand why you are willing to share.

So: Applause.
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Old 03-23-2010, 02:35 PM   #14
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Re: Need some input

Quote:
Originally Posted by HokieEscape
Heck, we know you do it for the love of doing it. And you don't have to qualify the need for a little donation to pay for that trip to Hawaii for the "forum hints" meeting : - ) We appreciate you Jeff! Anyone good enough to find a wife almost as beautiful as mine is worthy of trust!
Damn! It sure does cost a lot to ferry the trailer over to Hawaii!! How you found me out is beyond me.. Got to go, my herbal massage appointment is here, oops.. looks like I overbooked, as my esthetician is here as well.. got to really have a talk with my personal secretary, as soon as she gets back from her underwear model shoot.
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Old 03-23-2010, 05:11 PM   #15
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Re: Need some input

Man Jeff, you sure have a good life.
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Old 03-24-2010, 11:27 AM   #16
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Re: Need some input

Quote:
Originally Posted by Texscapees
One suggestion... Would it be possible to move the logo/link to the space in top right of the page - underneath the date/time stamp? If it could go in the unused space of that existing frame, it wouldn't push the rest of the page lower as it does in the current location. If not, no big deal.
I think this may solve the issue of cluttering up the use-able space in the board posting.. I've was able to put the ad there.. it seems more prominent, but uses the space as suggested by Texsapee's.. so doesn't effect the spacing of the boards & posts..

Let me know what you guy's think.. http://escapeforum.org/index.php?board=14.0 .. If I don't hear too many objections, I'm probably going to implement it..

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Old 03-24-2010, 03:48 PM   #17
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Re: Need some input

If you could change the word wrap to make the graphic narrower, I think it would be about perfect. Right now the text wraps between "site" and "please". It would be better between "like" and "to".

The table has three cells on this row. The one with the avater, the one with some text about unread posts and stuff, and the one with the ad. If you can make the ad narrower, that leaves more room for the text, and there will be fewer lines of text in that middle cell on small screens, like on my laptop.

But it is fine as is.
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Old 03-24-2010, 03:56 PM   #18
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Re: Need some input

I see what you mean, Ron.

But yeah, it's fine as is and not really distracting. I'm pretty sure it's going to remind me to order more stuff from Amazon... 8)
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Old 03-24-2010, 04:58 PM   #19
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Re: Need some input

Quote:
Originally Posted by ronstew
If you could change the word wrap to make the graphic narrower, I think it would be about perfect. Right now the text wraps between "site" and "please". It would be better between "like" and "to".

The table has three cells on this row. The one with the avater, the one with some text about unread posts and stuff, and the one with the ad. If you can make the ad narrower, that leaves more room for the text, and there will be fewer lines of text in that middle cell on small screens, like on my laptop.

But it is fine as is.
I tried, this the best I could w/o hacking too much into the Forum code.. I scaled down the image and did the word-wrap change..but it looks like it reacts differently depending on the browser.. Firefox seems to stretch it out to fit the frame anyway, I.E seems to keep the aspect ratio at tad better & google chrome seems to act the same as IE..

I think the determining factor is the Avatar Picture as the Amazon Image file is smaller in width ..

Anyway, I think we have to go with it the way it looks..
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Old 03-24-2010, 05:03 PM   #20
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Re: Need some input

Jeff, when you become wealthy from this advertising, I sure hope you remember the little guys who helped you along the way.
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