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If you’re using the “BBB 2009” theme for the forums, you’ll notice that there are ads, ads and more ads. Though I’m surprised nobody has complained, I wanted to reassure you that this is temporary (sort of). I’m going to be adding code that will collapse (most of) the ads for users who are signed in — so you’ll have a much cleaner experience of the site.
I had to add these in sort of in a hurry, because revenue dropped significantly after the redesign and I haven’t done anything to prop it back up. The past two months I’ve been operating BBB in the RED (i.e., it costs more to keep it running than I earn). Yikes! I can’t do that, so…. here are the ads.
I promise I’ll be adding in the logic to test for logged in users and hide the ads… very shortly (I’m on my lunch break and need to head back to work). I’ll get it in this weekend for sure, if not sooner.
Meanwhile, feel free to click an ad a day. 😉
One other note about ads — I’m not very happy with the way they look across the top of the forums (although it is very effective… I can already see a big difference). If you get a chance, take a look at what I did in the front section of the site. When you look below a post such as AIM 6.9 Gets Social you will see a section with a 300×250 ad on the left side and “recent posts” on the right side. This is (in my not-so-humble opinion) much more palatable than what you currently see at the top of the forums. I’d like to do something similar in the forums — got any great ideas? 🙂
Hey there – wanted to let you know I’ve been reading the stuff you’re posting in the staff room. Have noticed the ads, they seem to slow the load time of the site – of course I only read the forums. And yes – they are big and obnoxious. If I didn’t “work” here (lol) I’d not stop back – but I certainly understand fiscal responsibility! Better to have a bit of short-term annoyance than having to shut down the whole thing.
I agree with Heather. Ads are a pain, but a necessary one. I mean, even my local paper is like 60% full of adverts and barely 40% content. And as for magazines, bleh-even worse.
I don’t think I mind the BBB ads. I’ll try to click once in a while 😉
@PolarBearNPR 237942 wrote:
Hey there – wanted to let you know I’ve been reading the stuff you’re posting in the staff room. Have noticed the ads, they seem to slow the load time of the site – of course I only read the forums. And yes – they are big and obnoxious. If I didn’t “work” here (lol) I’d not stop back!
What about on the front section (see the link I posted in my initial reply for an example). I use the same size ad, but only have one in the main content area, just below the initial article. There are others on the page, but you don’t get hit with a “wall-o-adverts!” Would that turn you away also, or would that be considered tolerable?
@Philip 237945 wrote:
I’ll try to click once in a while 😉
Every click helps! 🙂
@detn8r 237947 wrote:
I’m pretty sure my ABP is filtering the ads so I’m not sure myself what they look like.
I’ve attached an example of what they look like in the forums and another of what I added to the “front” section of the site. I think the example from the front section is palatable, while the forum section is overkill. I’m looking for ideas on doing something similar to what I’ve done in the front section, but in the forums. I’m assuming that people agree that the way I’ve done it there in the front is okay, but no one has said (yet).
Fanatic;237946 wrote:What about on the front section (see the link I posted in my initial reply for an example). I use the same size ad, but only have one in the main content area, just below the initial article. There are others on the page, but you don’t get hit with a “wall-o-adverts!” Would that turn you away also, or would that be considered tolerable?Okay, yeah – that’s better. but the thing is… I don’t go to that spot on the Ball unless directed to… the forums are the only place I go, because that’s what’s interesting to me. Remember though, I may not be the typical *user* of BBB, the way it is now. It seems like it used to be more social, but now it addresses the real tech issues of the day as relates to IM and social networking. But I still pop on to see what folks are up to 😉 Don’t really care about the newsy stuff… until I have a problem, that is.
And if some folks aren’t seeing the ads… well, they lose their revenue-making purpose.
hmm
@PolarBearNPR 237964 wrote:
Okay, yeah – that’s better. but the thing is… I don’t go to that spot on the Ball unless directed to… the forums are the only place I go, because that’s what’s interesting to me.
Thanks! That’s what I was hoping. What I’m thinking is changing how the ads are displayed in the FORUMS to match how they are displayed in the FRONT of the site — something much more tasteful?
Jeff wrote:in the FORUMS to match how they are displayed in the FRONT of the site — something much more tasteful?Yes. I agree.
*Click, Click, Click…* 😉
Okay, I’ve added some code so that as long as you’re signed in, you don’t see the big block of ads across the top of the forums. That’s not the final solution, but I think you’ll agree it is an improvement.
I’m digging into the problems I’ve had with the other code, and will be attempting to get the new style finished today. Keep your fingers crossed!
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