LFG

We have several current threads on this site about our new format and design. My SWAG is that the great majority of people like the new look, but we have some users who seem very angry about the fact we are now running ads. Other users seem angry not about the fact we are running ads, but that we are offering the ability to opt out of ads for a one time donation of $10 dollars to this site.

One recurring suggestion is to try and offset the loss some people feel about not having ads before, but now being required to either support the site by paying $10 or by viewing the ads.

I was thinking then, what additional user value could I add to the site so that people who either can't pay the $10, or don't want to pay as a matter of principle or whatever, would feel better about this?

One idea I had would be to simply turn on titles for all users. That plan has some limitations and potential problems, however.

In addition to ad free viewing, we currently provide contributors with the HTML title of their choice as an additional benefit.

If I turned this on for non-paying users, it would be the non-HTML version - in other words, non-paying users would be able to enter whatever title they want that didn't violate the Site Rules, but their title would not appear in color or bold - it would be the simple beige unbolded text color.

If I did that, would people who have contributed feel like they got ripped off? Contributors would still have the better titles, since theirs would be in HTML, with colors and bolding.

The other risk I would face by doing this is increasing the amount of time it takes me to admin this site. What I mean by that is, when I get into an argument with someone here, I would expect a small minority of those people to abuse the privilege and put something particularly nasty (e.g., the N word or whatever) in their title. I could police that by simply turning off the title option for anyone who abused the privilege, but it would still be an extra hassle.

I'm looking for community feedback on the suggestion above, and also for other suggestions on what additional things I could do that would make those who are pissed off about our new ads, or who are accusing me of extortion for asking people to donate $10 or more to turn them off. I can't turn ads off on the entire site, we need the money to pay for this site and to make it be all that it can be.

Thanks for any constructive suggestions you have.

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Alania

I think if anyone gets upset or feels slighted because you turn on titles, they might want to consider why. The whole point of contributing $10 is to remove ads, not to receive a title. The title was a nice bonus, but in the end, they still don't have to see the ads.

I think moderating titles would be a hassle at first, because people would try to see how far they could push it, but eventually the novelty will wear off.

Laodaron

I think that you have to look at ratios here. How many times did people threaten to quit during say, the N word fiasco? How many threaten to quit every time you have to enforce any common sense rule? this isn't really that much different. You have to find a way to break down this large amount of money somehow...and I think the way things are is just fine.

Bitmap

Ultimately I don't think the ad issue will effect your membership, people will either adapt or contribute. most of the vocal opponents stating they are leaving that i've seen have very low post counts.

I think what you are seeing now is just the reaction to the implementation and impatience as you fine tune it so it works correctly. I think the system you currently have in place is a fair compromise.

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Kaylee

I think most people who surf the internet for any length of time have learned to simply tune out the ads. I don't even notice them tbh. Of course I did at first, only because of the difference in the look of the site.

I think you may be disappointed in the amount of revenue you will get from them though, but it's all good as I don't believe you actually spend 5 grand a year on this site.

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Khalan

Anyone who has ever used the internet knows adds are part of life. For fucks sake Google and Yahoo Run ads on their site.

To people crying I say shut the fuck up /wrists and move on seriously.

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Drodin

The only add I had a problem with was the one that changes my page and makes me click skip this add. I think it was the pogo one? Not sure.

Maybe moving the adds to the right instead of the left will help with the soreness of it all, but that might be a money thing where they pay more to have it on the left idk.

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Marvy

There are 3 main annoying things about the adds.

1. Animated ads. They grab attention at work.

2. The placement on the left. It makes it feel like everything is scrunched to the bottom right of the screen. They are much less annoying on the right hand side. Westerners are used to reading starting with the left side of the screen, so it kills the flow.

3. The site is quite a bit slower with the adds.

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LFG

1. The ads are from Adbrite, I'm looking for another advertising solution. The ads we have now are temporary, and I agree they suck and don't reflect this site in any way.

2. Can't do anything about the placement on the left.

3. See #1 - hopefully page loads will improve when we get a new advertising solution.

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LFG

Those pop up "interstitial" ads were killed yesterday. You'll never see them on this site again.

Thanks

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"Bottom line: we're not all being honest with ourselves here." Become, Kraken forums