Ads taking over!?

wenwilder · #1 (**permalink**) 03-17-2004, 06:29 AM

I know one site, off the top of my head, that does not have ad banners, or google ads or any other ads for that matter..... fortunately, that site is mine.

Ads are one of my greatest pet peeves any more. I go to any site and there, right in the middle of anything that might be valuable, is a anathematized ad. At the best it's a distraction, at the worst it's a paroxysm.

Whether they pop out in front of you, sit still, or move even a little..... they are annoying!!!! Granted, I know the purpose for having the tautological advertisements. The superfluous nature of them though seems to grow uncontrollably.

The orange colored Google adsense banner at the top of the forum lately is beyond annoying (even though the use of orange in the banner is a truly good choice... and probably effective...) as are many others.

WPW alone has become flooded with ads that make the forum seem cluttered. Google has the right idea when it comes to ads. When you do a search you receive relevant ads on the right hand side... but... those ads are text! Not images that move or irritate the eye, or take up un-necessary space that could be better used.

I see a site with an over abundance of ads and I immediately move on. If it flashes, moves or makes noise... I'm outta there. I don't even read my New York times online any more... there are more meaningless ads then there is meaningful content.

Ads are a bane to those who are online to learn and a boon to those who see the internet as the first step in their get rich quick scheme.

hmmm sounds like a few websites I know.....

Okay, I'm putting up the soapbox now.

[Edit: Moved to Suggestions and Comments by Brittany]

ldyguique · #2 (**permalink**) 04-15-2004, 08:49 PM

Well, I looked all over the site and even did a search and didn't find the thread, if it exists . . .

Why has no one commented on the new WebProNews box at the bottom of the page yet? At first, I was a little taken aback by it, then decided to click on a couple of articles -- I think I like it :)

Anyway to coordinate it with Forum articles? Or cross-link it? An interesting addition; however, it will require humanpower to keep it current. For example, the Amazon A9 really should be a news article listed in it.

paulhiles · #3 (**permalink**) 04-15-2004, 09:12 PM

The WebProNews box is most unfortunately placed (IMO).
Why does it need to be placed in between a post and the button link to "Post a Reply"? The designers have not thought this one through at all. Unless of course the marketeers have taken control.. and presume that the less intelligent user is going to click on a sponsor advert rather than the reply link??

Absolutely gob-smackingly awful... I'm speechless myself... maybe that's why there's been no other response from WPW members?

rocky1 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-15-2004, 10:17 PM

Quote:

The WebProNews box is most unfortunately placed (IMO).
Why does it need to be placed in between a post and the button link to "Post a Reply"? The designers have not thought this one through at all. Unless of course the marketeers have taken control.. and presume that the less intelligent user is going to click on a sponsor advert rather than the reply link??

Absolutely gob-smackingly awful... I'm speechless myself... maybe that's why there's been no other response from WPW members?

You want to see gob-smackingly awful, try it in 800 x 600 res, it crowds all the links into 3 - 4 lines, and runs you about twice as far searching for that reply button!

Got to hand it to them up in marketing... the only ad space left to sell, is between the posts! And, I'm sure that'll be next.

ronniethedodger · #5 (**permalink**) 04-15-2004, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldyguique

Why has no one commented on the new WebProNews box at the bottom of the page yet? At first, I was a little taken aback by it, then decided to click on a couple of articles -- I think I like it :)

This is what I thought the third column was for...there is plenty of space over there to toss the article listing into.

It is another ad in between the posts and the post a reply button.

And now that some of us (not all apparantly) have had the option to Auto-Watch topics that we reply to, then that ad is right in the way of that button to. Even if we reply to thread we are watching, the flag gets reset on you and you have to go thru that ad to get to the button.

If the thread is more than one page....you have to go thru that ad to get to the page links.

I think it is blatantly obtrusive and downright disrespectful.

ldyguique · #6 (**permalink**) 04-16-2004, 09:30 AM

I really need to increase my cussin' vocabulary -- "gobsmackingly awful"

Well, I try not to be a knee-jerk reactive when it comes to changes. However, it's a gobsmackingly awful sized box with teensy eensy text -- and its placement IS strange. Some of that CMS and RSS stuff to try and increase ranking?

Now, I did come across a weird thing yesterday. I attempted to post something without a subject (new post) -- and it overlayed a window image over the existing one with the error and my text. I put the text into copy and backed out -- it hadn't lost my original posting (something that always happens in the forum).

vfaulkner · #7 (**permalink**) 04-16-2004, 02:36 PM

I understand the $ need but I am beginning to feel a bit clasterphobic(spelling?) with ads/sponsors in all directions(above, now below, left and right) on each page.
The messages, which is why I am here, seem to be disappearing...

Just my $0.02

Is there anyway to scale down a bit??

ronniethedodger · #8 (**permalink**) 04-16-2004, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldyguique

I really need to increase my cussin' vocabulary -- "gobsmackingly awful"

Oh Marshmallows!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldyguique

It's a gobsmackingly awful sized box with teensy eensy text -- and its placement IS strange. Some of that CMS and RSS stuff to try and increase ranking?

I attempted to post something without a subject (new post) -- and it overlayed a window image over the existing one with the error and my text. I put the text into copy and backed out -- it hadn't lost my original posting (something that always happens in the forum).

Hmmm...what browser are you using if I may ask? I would be interested in knowing. The big box/small text sounds like a browser issue it seems.

The overlaying of boxes is a strange one. I have seen this happen before with the javascripted jump to (forum) drop-down box in the (wait let me check...yep it is there) right below the big box with teensy eensy print.

I am still at a loss as to why the jump-box mysteriously appears glued into one position on the screen while the rest of the page is scrollable underneath it.

The Post A Reply box is also javascripted (in part) and is similar to the jump box. Although I have not encountered your problem before, I am thinking that the two quirks are related.

Question: Did the Post A Reply box appear to be stationary inside the window, while the rest of the window was scrollable? This "ghost" box still had the Submit button, correct? (that would explain why your response was still there and you were able to submit it again)

(I am now going to submit this reply, then click on view my post, then click on watch this topic... so I can receive a notification of your reply.)

wenwilder · #9 (**permalink**) 04-16-2004, 07:27 PM

Seems this peeve is shared by more than just me:

http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=17795

http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=17861

matauri · #10 (**permalink**) 04-16-2004, 08:12 PM

< take possession of the soapbox >

Whats worse, is when they arent even good looking ads. If your going to place ads on a page, how can you start off with a tight looking page & drag the tone down by putting in ads that look like rejects from the 90's? After using the net for the past 10yrs, I can honestly say I am beginning to hate light blue. I wont even wear it anymore because it makes me feel like a washed out ad.

And placement of them is another irk. Why throw them everywhere? At least lend some design principals to them. the content of your site is what is foremost on visitors minds. They didnt come there to view your ads! If your going to do your advertiser a service, put the ad where it will evoke the most interest. All your evoking with having an ad interfere with your content is irritation, and if something irritates you, you dont normally buy it do you? You skip it.

WPW has got at least 1-2 ads too many, and very badly placed IMO. The duplication of links all over makes it appear even worse. It's become confused. To utlize this many ads the site has to be redesigned to make them not so intrusive, or at the very least reduce some of them in size. This applies to any site wanting to include so much promo.

< hands on the soapbox to someone else >

rocky1 · #11 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 03:45 AM

"Do double entries qualify as stuttering on your keyboard?"

rocky1 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 03:47 AM

That shore are a lotta clickin goin on there Mr. Dodger!

An I still hasn't figured out what y'all is talkin about them little winders not movin and such, all my pucky is a goin up an down like its sposed too!

ronniethedodger · #13 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 04:04 AM

Actually I just figured out what ldygique was talking about.

Go to Private Messages and Compose a new message. Enter in a name and some text for the message, but leave the Subject blank. Hit Submit.

The screen will change and you will have two columns on the left that are identical (duplicated). In the middle you will have the Error message stating you forgot to put in a subject, then the infamous big ad, then the posting box with you message, then another big ad. The ad gets duplicated also. The right column is fine.

It is a mess.

rocky1 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 04:12 AM

Man that is just gobsmackingly nifty! Dam! I have never seen phpBB do anything like that before! That is unique... You know that would really mess with your mind where you a few sheets in the wind!

matauri · #15 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronniethedodger

And now that some of us (not all apparantly) have had the option to Auto-Watch topics that we reply to, then that ad is right in the way of that button to.

As you chose to reference my post from 'another topic' in 'this topic', I can somewhat presume that you either mean that I (a) never had the option to auto respond...or (b) don't have a problem with this 'ad related' topic. On both accounts...wrong. So it was a bit of a pointless reference. Though, you did get one part in the right context... "aparently".

If anyone wants to read more on 'this' topic, you can read more here:

http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=15950

http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=17861

There are others equally annoyed, and yes, the Mods have been following them up.

mikmik · #16 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 05:09 AM

I agree with everyone here, but I think we need one of these here CMS's.
Just my ﷲ0.00.002 sense worth ;-]

ronniethedodger · #17 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matauri

As you chose to reference my post from 'another topic' in 'this topic', I can somewhat presume that you either mean that I (a) never had the option to auto respond...or (b) don't have a problem with this 'ad related' topic. On both accounts...wrong. So it was a bit of a pointless reference. Though, you did get one part in the right context... "aparently".

a) I did not reference your post, I referenced ejrs.com's post. I don't know where you got the idea that I was referring to your post at.

b) It was in response to ldygiques problem with the ads, in combination with not only the watch topic flag -- but the post a reply and the next-prev links as well. It had more to do with the placement of the ad.

c) And I did mean aparantly...you got that one right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by matauri

If anyone wants to read more on 'this' topic, you can read more here:

http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=15950

http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=17861

There are others equally annoyed, and yes, the Mods have been following them up.

One of those are in Design Peeves and deals with ads in general, after all this is the Suggestions Forum where it should be discussed. Vicki's (which is in this forum) came after this post and could be merged with this one if you feel it needs to be.

There is also reference in this thread to some buggy coding in WPW's Private Messaging php file which is more than likely attributable to this new ad...and that should be followed up on. I laid it out in detail so they can duplicate this behaviour in a post above.

The other problem with the resetting of the watched topic flag I will not mix in with this, for it has already been said in another topic. But it has not been followed up on, nor has there been any reply or hint of any concern -- but thank you for informing us that it is being followed up on.

ronniethedodger · #18 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikmik

I agree with everyone here, but I think we need one of these here CMS's.

Are you out of your Wiki loving mind Mik? Please tell me you are joking. ;0)

matauri · #19 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 05:57 AM

Apologies for the wrong reference Ronnie, in my window it went straight to my post (probably again attributed to the ad)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronniethedodger

But it has not been followed up on, nor has there been any reply or hint of any concern -- but thank you for informing us that it is being followed up on.

The same irks that irk everyone else, irk Mods too. If you kept an eye on the last Mods to post for the Moderator forum, and you see the names changing at a fast rate, its a sure indicator that we are discussing something that has been brought to our attention. So no post or concern ever gets ignored. Some issues such as this one get revisited again. However, one or two voices can be whispers in the wind... more can blow the cobwebs away.

So never feel that you aren't getting listened to, because at least one Mod on any occassion will be listening. Then its in our court to present a good case to be listened to, and we can only do that if we have the numbers of members to back an issue up, because we will always reference your posts in our discussions.

In regards to merging posts in this S & C forum, afraid that's out of our hands, there is no Mod for this forum, its in the hands of Admin.

ronniethedodger · #20 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matauri

Apologies for the wrong reference Ronnie, in my window it went straight to my post (probably again attributed to the ad)

No problem. The ad could make the screen jump ... possibly. But I have not noticed that yet. In the PM section though...it does. And only when you leave the subject blank and hit submit. Try it...it is a pretty freaky experience. It is really freaky.

Quote:

Originally Posted by matauri

In regards to merging posts in this S & C forum, afraid that's out of our hands, there is no Mod for this forum, its in the hands of Admin.

Wanna know a secret? I knew you couldn't, that is why I mentioned it. ;0)