A quick community poll on a new type of banner ad (read the post before taking the poll)

[MattKing]

Exactly. Thanks for looking up that example
It's one of the common ways today of serving up ads. I had guessed that everyone would have come across them by now.

Perhaps those who have, left the associated website rapidly and blotted the experience out of their recollection forever!

 

[koraks]

No comment

 

[Sirius Glass]

I would tolerate it as part of the price for admission.

 

[ags2mikon]

I have been on a number of forums in the past and adds are how the system pays its bills. Some I was a subscriber others I wasn't. The same with some news sites with subscriptions. Once it gets too annoying I just leave and don't waste my time there anymore. It is called the benefit to BS ratio. Everybody has their own limit. So Sean do what you need to do and we will adjust or leave.

 

[Eric Rose]

I'm all for it.

 

[pentaxuser]

I'd count on it, yes.



I don't see that happening at all. Ad sales generally don't involve control over site membership, functionality etc apart from the occupation of some screen real estate and undoubtedly some data collection through tracking (assembling personas, viewing statistics etc). I don't see how these new ads would be different from the present ones.

As to your other questions: I can't speak for Sean but if it were my website, I wouldn't publish the financial details just like that so that visitors can vote if they want to change that. But again, that's firmly up to Sean to decide.

I meant control over how long the ad continues to appear and it would appear from your reply"I'd count on it, yes we will have no control at all There seem little point in a blue arrow to delete the ad once seen if as you seem to say it will appear again the second I turn to the next page or open another thread

As far as Photio's finances are concerned I fully understand why Sean would not wish to publish the financial details but it would help me at least to know in terms of my vote if we will remain viable if the new floating ad banner were to be rejected

As Sean appears to have said he was approached and not the other way round it might be reasonable to assume that we are financially viable but that's my assumption rather than a statement from Sean. That leaves the question of what improvements we might see with the extra money which might be important to some

Seeking more information on such questions is not a direct request for Sean to divulge in any kind of detail Photrio's finances for the world to see, merely an indication of how sound the finances are which may help members to decide on what to vote for

pentaxuser

 

[BrianShaw]

Don’t worry, p/u… the poll is a courtesy to get a vague idea of how people feel. Your gut feeling rather than an analysis is all that matters. The results of the poll may or may not really matter in the final decision.

 

[mshchem]

Whatever keeps the lights on is OK. I wish that Classifieds were buried but they are easy to navigate around.
Go for it!

 

[MattKing]

Whatever keeps the lights on is OK. I wish that Classifieds were buried but they are easy to navigate around.
Go for it!

You could always set the Classifieds to be "Ignored".

 

[Truzi]

I've been on sites with this, and it does give a 1990s vibe, lol.

I'd have the concerns related to blocking content, or annoyingly reducing the area to display content. I guess it would depend on the size.

Otherwise, treating it like a moving footer (a reserved space; not sure if a frame is appropriate - a div would seem better) makes sense. I've always thought the sidebar was a bit wide, so narrowing it a bit could free-up overall space to accommodate content and the floater.

 

[Sean]

Hi All, thanks for the responses and voting. I am seeing if the ad can be non-floating and could be anchored in its own frame at page bottom. This would prevent it from obscuring any content or user interfaces.

So far the consensus leans to:

-subscribers should not see it but can opt in
-better if it is not floating over content and has its own dedicated frame at page bottom

I'm still in the early stages of the process and it's great to see some support for it. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks!
Sean

 

[Tel]

Exactly. Thanks for looking up that example
It's one of the common ways today of serving up ads. I had guessed that everyone would have come across them by now.

Indeed. I have a simple response to floaters--I dump out of that site and go elsewhere.

 

[Helge]

It’s absolutely crucial that subscribers do not see them. That would be a huge incentive to subscribe.
Which hopefully would be a bigger source of income in the long run.
So it would also be important to advertise that fact.

 

[Tel]

An important fact that is often overlooked is that, in discussion groups like this, it's the participants who create the content. We are not just consumers.

 

[koraks]

An important fact that is often overlooked is that, in discussion groups like this, it's the participants who create the content. We are not just consumers.

It's not overlooked here.

 

[pentaxuser]

Hi All, thanks for the responses and voting. I am seeing if the ad can be non-floating and could be anchored in its own frame at page bottom. This would prevent it from obscuring any content or user interfaces.

Thanks!
Sean

That was certainly the aspect that worries me. If ads are in a "white space section" that does not infringe on anything else and spoil users's use of the site then I would not have a problem. My problem is that there is no such thing as a free lunch and boy is this exploited by those who appear to be prepared to offer an appreciable amount of finance in return for making use of the site

pentaxuser

 

[BradS]

As long as it does NOT...play video, blink, flash, move, breath, pulsate, pop-up, wiggle, etc.
iow, static ads that change occasionally and do not distract and thereby detract overly much from the users' experience.
It would also be nice if the ad content were at least some what relevant. If it's just another 100 varieties of Temu ads and "Heart Surgeon Begs..." then, F* NO! thanks for asking.

 

[Tel]

Personally, I appreciate the ads from site sponsors who offer services that we might use, like camera repairs or sales of photographic equipment, etc.

 

[Tel]

It's not overlooked here.

Yes; hoping it lasts.

 

[ajmiller]

I would be ok with it appearing in it's own space at the bottom of the page not floating about or popping out etc. I do smile at some of the ads I get 'served' here.

 

[koraks]

Yes; hoping it lasts.

We do our best and feel free to alert us whenever you doubt it's still the case.

 

[snusmumriken]

I mostly read the forum on my smartphone, where any kind of floating pop-up consumes valuable screen space. I’m also a subscriber, so my vote is ‘Do it if you must, but don’t make me see it.’

 

[MattKing]

I mostly read the forum on my smartphone, where any kind of floating pop-up consumes valuable screen space. I’m also a subscriber, so my vote is ‘Do it if you must, but don’t make me see it.’

I would highlight this concern - it is tough enough reading Photrio on a smartphone as it is.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Whatever keeps the lights on is OK. I wish that Classifieds were buried but they are easy to navigate around.
Go for it!

What! How would I ever get my GAS satisfied without the Classifieds?

 

[mshchem]

What! How would I ever get my GAS satisfied without the Classifieds?

I need an intervention. I'm afraid my house will sink into the earth. 7 enlargers seems a bit extreme.