google banners in thread headers?

When I open a page, my eyes automatically go to the link to 'View First Unread Post.' I usually do not pay attention to anything above including banner ads/google ads. Their presence doesn't bother me one whit.

ive got no problem with the google ads - someone's got to pay for all this right? perfectly reasonable

If more people would donate some money to help defray the costs of POTN, the Google ads may disappear. Pekka offers one of the best photography (not just Canon) forums on the net and does so for free. For those of you who are asking, yes, I have donated. By the way, I don't mind the google ads. I just don't pay attention to them.

HERE'S THE LINK TO DONATE

asysin2leads wrote in post #8877081
If more people would donate some money to help defray the costs of POTN, the Google ads may disappear. Pekka offers one of the best photography (not just Canon) forums on the net and does so for free. For those of you who are asking, yes, I have donated. By the way, I don't mind the google ads. I just don't pay attention to them.

HERE'S THE LINK TO DONATE

Good point. Done

I noticed that something looked different earlier this evening. I wasn't sure if I was not very observant of something that had been going on for a while or if it was something new. I do not have a problem with it as long as they keep the ads on target. On another forum they started doing porn ads and then they got the boot in very short order.

I've always felt that Pekka should have a nominal fee, something like 20.00 a year which is really next to nothing on an individual basis but add them up, you do the math.

I am a member of a couple of other boards where they charge a fee for membership and it hasn't detracted from the information flow on them. If anything it has kept them more photography focused and keeps the trolls at bay.

Bill Boehme wrote in post #8877960
I noticed that something looked different earlier this evening. I wasn't sure if I was not very observant of something that had been going on for a while or if it was something new. I do not have a problem with it as long as they keep the ads on target. On another forum they started doing porn ads and then they got the boot in very short order.

If you see any inappropriate adverts here, then please let us know about them (screen capture or name would be perfect).

Pekka wrote in post #8874170
Again, I do what is needed, I might add some ad blocks later but the main thing is fluent browsing of messages.

Have you thought of url rewriting. We use a script that parses URLs people put in posts and redirects them through a server (redirectingat.com iirc) that runs an affiliate-type scheme getting us money for click-throughs to other sites. So for example when someone posts a link to an item on Amazon, clicking that link nets the site money rather than needing the person to find an amazon advert on the site to click across. Makes a lot more money than standard advertising links as people tend to click through and buy more than with the adverts.

Added bonus is that it's less intrusive for users too.

ssim wrote in post #8878055
I've always felt that Pekka should have a nominal fee, something like 20.00 a year which is really next to nothing on an individual basis but add them up, you do the math.

I am a member of a couple of other boards where they charge a fee for membership and it hasn't detracted from the information flow on them. If anything it has kept them more photography focused and keeps the trolls at bay.

I disagree STRONGLY with that having just switch to nikon. The biggest nikon board is nikonians.com and they charge a fee. NOTHING is worse than having to pay for a board when you're first getting into this. I could see a premium membership that gets you something above and beyond what we have now (attachments, more PMs, etc) but putting a fee on normal membership is a real turn off IMHO.

How about charging a small annual fee for killing the ads? Some folks are immune to advertising, others will pay to get rid of it. I have a few apps on my BlackBerry that work the same way. I get full functionality for free but if I find the advertising too annoying, I can buy a registration key to stop it.

cdifoto wrote in post #8881192
How about charging a small annual fee for killing the ads? Some folks are immune to advertising, others will pay to get rid of it. I have a few apps on my BlackBerry that work the same way. I get full functionality for free but if I find the advertising too annoying, I can buy a registration key to stop it.

Good idea. I did the same for some free apps. Plus it helps the developers. I'd be happy for an annual fee to help out.

Thanks Pekka for the response but I still don't see them... but I have no problem with ads to help pay for this great site...

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8879219
I disagree STRONGLY with that having just switch to nikon. The biggest nikon board is nikonians.com and they charge a fee. NOTHING is worse than having to pay for a board when you're first getting into this. I could see a premium membership that gets you something above and beyond what we have now (attachments, more PMs, etc) but putting a fee on normal membership is a real turn off IMHO.

Maybe he should charge the Nikon shooters?

$15 bucks a year. $18 if you shoot full - frame.

Still a bargain, right?!?!

My guess is that most if not all of those who have posted in this thread are also contributors and therefore is I presume that it is not much point in mentioning that non-participants should consider helping to support this really great forum. I have decided to help get the word out by adding a link in my signature line. I suspect that many participants are not even aware that it is a user supported forum.

Something to think about: Over on Sawmill Creek (woodworking forum), those who help support the site get the word CONTRIBUTOR added as a line in their ID (of course they do not have a need for "IMAGE EDITING OK"). Perhaps it is one of the reasons that there is a very high level of user support for the forum. BTW, they also recently started putting advertising on their pages. There are no special privileges for contributors, but woodworkers don't like to be perceived as slackers.

Belmondo wrote in post #8875456
Their presence doesn't bother me one whit.

Tom, Define "whit" please?
-Bruce