Advertising banner in this forum !

[cliff]

What the hell is that advertising banner in this forum (it is provided by Google) ?
Do the band / webmaster / provider / <put_your_other_choice_here> is in need of money or what ?

I remember that few years ago, when Strato had its first forum in EzBoard (or something), the band decided to change the forum because of the many advertising and pop-up provided by Ezboard.
And now, it seems we are back to the "cave age" ?

I also remember that the Webmaster asked us our opinion about the number of topics, because we couldn't read the forum properly.
What is it now, that we have that stupid banner which makes the browsing in the forum even more difficult ?

And I won't even talk about the risk for your "personal privacy" (with that banner, Google get all informations about your browsing ability, the page you are visiting, your IP address, your country and so on...)

Please Webmaster, remove that banner. Thanks.

[LittleHarry]

wow this sucks

[Lucid Faia]

Are you aware of the term, "overreacting?"

[cliff]

Are you aware of the term, "overreacting?"

Yes. So what ?

[Twilightsymphony]

Well, not that great. Perhaps they could at least make it at the end of the page and not on top, its a bit annoying over there.

[browneyedgirl]

Yes, at least they could put the banner at the BOTTOM instead of the top--its distracting&takes up too much space.

[timo the soulforged]

do they get money from this banner??

[Beast_Pete]

I didn't realise it. But if it's a problem for others, then I say: remove it.

[HvyMtlClickWitch]

I didn't realise it. But if it's a problem for others, then I say: remove it.

as opposed to the kind of embedded advertising that everyone loves?

[Lucid Faia]

Well, guys, it could be WORSE. They could have pop-ups, interstitials, ads that play music or dance across your screen, etc.

This ad is harmless.

[NordicStorm]

Well, guys, it could be WORSE. They could have pop-ups, interstitials, ads that play music or dance across your screen, etc.

Don't give them any ideas...

[Beast_Pete]

[browneyedgirl]

A Banner with the Chippendale Dancers!=P
And, to be fair to the guys, the Radio City Rockettes! :jump2:

[Reaper]

Indeed... the banner has to go... (...home )

[Fireblade]

I haven't got google, but some Finnish texts.

I think they don't get money, but maybe the hosting for this is cheaper or free.. I hardly think anyone pays them for the number of people that would see an ad here.

And this is way better than those popups on the ezboard... I never even noticed it until I read this thread...

[HvyMtlClickWitch]

they don't bother me......although there is a valid point that they would be less annoying on the bottom. But wouldn't that defeat the purpose of advertising? Correct me if i'm wrong, but I believe the idea of owning advertising space is that it is extensively visible.

[Administrator]

The ads may stay or the ads may go, it depends on how well they work. The reason for even trying to use ads here on the stratoforum are complex. The bandwidth use is quite heavy. One idea is to move the forum to another server. Another is to have "unlimited expiry time". A third is to also resurrect all the old posts (the ones from the old ezboard stratoforum also). And quite soon, it is certain that the issue of moderation will rear its head again.

One idea (oldest one in the book) is just to shut it down.

Regarding the ads, if anyone really feels that concerned and violated, here is a very simple solution: just copy and paste EXACTLY this text into your signature:


I choose not to contribute in any way toward storage or bandwidth costs, nor toward getting a moderator for this place.


The ads will then disappear for you, as long as you are logged in.

The privacy concerns are minimal, especially if you just don't click on any of the ads. Unless you also refuse to use Google to search the internet for the same privacy reasons.

[Neorave]

Well, guys, it could be WORSE. They could have pop-ups, interstitials, ads that play music or dance across your screen, etc.

This ad is harmless.

or even worse...shoot something harmless to win an IPOD!!!

[HvyMtlClickWitch]

Whack William Hung, see his exclusive video!!!!!

[cliff]

The bandwidth use is quite heavy. One idea is to move the forum to another server...

Thanks Fred for your answer.

I do understand the necessary for the band to have such banner.
Some people would call this overreacting, but the idea to be striken by ads all the time annoyed me quite a lot.

choose not to contribute in any way toward storage or bandwidth costs, nor toward getting a moderator for this place.

Actually I don't agree with the terms mentionned in the signature, because now I know that those ads have a sense and I'm afraid that choising that signature would mean "I don't care about having a moderator and a forum here", which of course is not what i want...

I've decided to block the ads directly from my proxy/router.
I don't see the banner anymore, money will still come to You... and I can still select a better text for my signature