I appreciate that you've taken over the ownership of this forum.
What I don't appreciate is that you've now plastered that huge ugly banner ad across EVERY page.
For a while now, that banner ad was ON unless you registered and logged in.
We know who you are and the service you provide. No need to club us with it.
You've said it yourself that the FJs are the greatest part of your business.
Certainly put the banner ad on the log in page to remind us, but get rid of it after a contributing member has logged in.
Arnie
Doesn't annoy me.
Quote from: Arnie on March 24, 2016, 10:04:32 PM
I appreciate that you've taken over the ownership of this forum.
What I don't appreciate is that you've now plastered that huge ugly banner ad across EVERY page.
For a while now, that banner ad was ON unless you registered and logged in.
We know who you are and the service you provide. No need to club us with it.
You've said it yourself that the FJs are the greatest part of your business.
Certainly put the banner ad on the log in page to remind us, but get rid of it after a contributing member has logged in.
Arnie
+1. Pete.
Quote from: 4everFJ on March 25, 2016, 03:14:03 AM
Doesn't annoy me.
Me neither....... compared to some web sites where it takes forever to load a page because there are non stop ads loading, 1 banner is no big deal at all.
Also.... now I don't have to remember Randy's web address when I want to order parts!
Harvy
Maybe not on every page, but the home page is fine. Saves searching for it when parts are needed.
Doesn't matter that much to me. I don't foresee this forum site being drowned by a flood of extraneous ads/pop ups like other bike forums that I visit from time to time.
Attention should be focused on the positives that are to follow. One that I've already seen is the removal of that ancient announcement of the Luggage area being added. Gawd, that was there for how long? The removal of the luggage area announcement is a step forward.
Although it doesn't bother me that it's there, it does remind me of a Harbor Freight ad. I'd tone it down.
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb37/campsimonette/hf_zpsniziljbo.png) (http://s208.photobucket.com/user/campsimonette/media/hf_zpsniziljbo.png.html)
I'm not sure but doesn't the UK site have his ad on every page and you have to Pay for that site. I find it an easy way to find the RPM page.
I was initially shocked when I logged in this morning, but it was more my concern over the potential shitstorm it might generate. It really doesn't bother me, and after all we do support each other.
...and BTW, I work for Harbor Freight, and I find our ads to be a bit much. :pardon:
One banner at the top of the page by the guy who runs the site and whose business helps keep the FJ dream alive? It's a non-issue in my opinion.
Zwartie
The Banner at the top of the pages doesn't bother me. I would rather have it there than the Luggage notification. After reading all the complaints on this thread about it I thought the ad was plastered everywhere. I went searching to see what all the bitching was about and could only find the ad at the top of the page in the header. If thats the cost of the best free technical advice on the internet for our machines, we got a bargain.
Scott
Quote from: FJscott on March 25, 2016, 09:54:33 AM
The Banner at the top of the pages doesn't bother me. I would rather have it there than the Luggage notification. After reading all the complaints on this thread about it I thought the ad was plastered everywhere. I went searching to see what all the bitching was about and could only find the ad at the top of the page in the header. If thats the cost of the best free technical advice on the internet for our machines, we got a bargain.
Scott
Exactly. Dave
No (keep the ad). Randy is now hosting and as always supporting with good technical advice.
Jeff
I don't have any problem with the banner ad. The background isn't brilliant yellow, I'm not terribly distracted by it.
Before Randy took over the site. The banner was shown quite often when you visited the site without logging in. Once logged in, it disappeared. I know many members browse the site without logging in and the banner would show up in the middle of threads. I remember a discussion on this subject before.....and there were no complaints.
Having the RPM website banner as a header is no big deal to me. As other have stated. It makes it easier to access the site for the forum page.
Fred
Only time it bothers me is when I'm viewing on my mobile... hint, hint.
mmmmm......an interesting point and a topic Randy would be viewing with great interest no doubt.
Those of us that have caught up with him in the flesh want to support him and his family. He really is one of us.
(Additional to the service he provides being unquestionably, outstanding).
The sign doesn`t bother me visually at all and in a month or so we`ll be asking "what sign" imho.
.....but there is this residue of thought in the back of my head that relates to the unique "purity" of this site and it is I believe a factor in it`s growth. Conversely a mate has put in a large investment that requires security of return along with our support.
Has this purity been violated or are we just getting aroused? Is the loss of such Virginity just part of the real world?
The answer unfortunately, is in the Maths. While I don`t have access to them it`s important that all factors are present in the calculation. For example, if I was a newcomer I would assume a financial contribution is not required given such advertising. If I am a contributor will I be a minority as a result of the banner?
If the advertising was per the previous status quo would it still grow the RPM business? (A proven formula to date). Does succinct advertising actually work better? (I think so, but my extensive marketing experience is old world today.)
I could be wrong but I think the contributions add up to bugger all! (....but I will continue to contribute what I can). Great service is the best advertising and the newcomers have to be introduced to it and the established, reminded....but "word of mouth or personal text" is a major, major contributor to profit.
Would that change as a result of a banner being in my face all the time?.....probably not....but there was always a twinge in the back of my head when I knew my baby was no longer a Virgin and that a certain bloke had done it! The more he was in my face, the more I gave him a tough time, despite how much I loved him!. Fortunately, he listened respectfully, produced something extraordinary and the pitter patter of little deeds are now all that do the advertising on his behalf! They get louder everyday! They keep Growing!....and any reminders of their existence are well and truly in the background, cause they`re demonstrably not necessary. :drinks:
I think the fact that there are no other advertisements (especially the type that pop up over the content and can't be removed!) for generating revenue to the site that the entity paying for the site has every right to (and should be expected to!) place their banner on the page. Especially since it is easily scrolled past and doesn't limit your viewing window.
As I see it there are only two "ads" on this site - the RPM banner and the green "$ Contributor" labels...I'm good with that :hi:
I didn't even realise it was there until this thread.
I don't see it.
How many folks are annoyed by the "Objects many be closer....." warning on exterior car mirrors. If it's there all the time you don't see it after a while, or in my case, it appears not at all until someone pointed it out.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on March 25, 2016, 08:32:33 PM
I didn't even realise it was there until this thread
Phew! I thought I was the only one losing it! You mean it hasn't been there the whole time? I gotta stop huffin' the aerosols. :wacko1:
Seriously though, I didn't notice any change which reflects the level of importance I put on it.
I think any benefits far outweigh the minimal commercialization this is perceived as....
Is it just me or did the banner get even bigger?
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb37/campsimonette/New%20Bitmap%20Image%202_zpsiwrtzpqp.png) (http://s208.photobucket.com/user/campsimonette/media/New%20Bitmap%20Image%202_zpsiwrtzpqp.png.html)
I have no problem with the simple banner . It stays at the top and dosen't chase you thru the posts.
As mentioned already , it is now easier to click to get to the RPM site.
personaly I donate once a year so we don't have more adds .
Well, I'll concede. The numbers have spoken, and I'm outnumbered.
My mistake was thinking that this forum was OURS, for OUR mutual and
shared benefit, paid for by OUR contributions.
I donated to help keep this site from needing ads or a sponsor.
Obviously, I'm wrong (again).
I'll now let this thread die its natural death.
Arnie
Quote from: Arnie on March 26, 2016, 07:42:20 PM
Well, I'll concede. The numbers have spoken, and I'm outnumbered.
My mistake was thinking that this forum was OURS, for OUR mutual and
shared benefit, paid for by OUR contributions.
I donated to help keep this site from needing ads or a sponsor.
Obviously, I'm wrong (again).
I'll now let this thread die its natural death.
Arnie
Without knowing the numbers, I doubt that contributions can pay for the running costs of the forum.
The ad isn't even from a sponsor, but from the owner. So, he doesn't even get any income from the ad itself.
Compared to other forums around the world, this forum is basically ad free. I have no problem with the owner placing and ad for his own business on top of the pages.
When we start getting blinking/flashing ads with audio in the middle of threads (as on many other forums), then I am with you :drinks:
Can't help myself, gotta wade into this :mail1:.
1. FJowners.com is a dot com site, aka a commercial site. If the forum is purely a not for profit site it would be .org. Marsh had the right to sell it and Randy had the right to buy it.
2. Marsh (don't know him personally, only 2nd hand through this site) set it up himself using his own skills and back pocket. He asked for donations to keep it running, we obliged. Given that, Marsh's free time to code (considerable), Pat & other moderators to oversee (again, considerable and I'm assuming unpaid), how cheap it is to host these days, the cost of bundled software to those that know is looooooow, so if 10% donated $10, the site, it would be comfortably break-even (same for 5%).
3. Corporate/business support has made some pretty niche things popular and sustainable (take Cricket, Curling, Fox Watch, Americas Cup examples for a few). Both our FJ's and ourselves are requiring more and rarer parts these days.
To paraphrase Noel & Doug, 'in a month we won't notice it', and 'Didn't really notice it to begin with'.
Arnie, in the spirit of your post, yes I agree, many of us have donated towards a collective benefit of sustaining the intellectual capital allowed by Marsh's creation and our collective input.
In Randy's defence, he's developed a business supporting us (and yes intially the mini car thingys), and he's done a sterling job in doing so.
In summary, whomever is supporting this site, don't fuck it up, and LONG LIVE THE MIGHTY FJ!!!!!!!!!!
Troyskie
Note to Randy, don't forget the backup.... :sarcastic:
I usually don't get a chance to log in every day, so I am not sure when the banner ad at the top showed up?
I personally don't have a problem with it, as it is put there by the (now) owner of the site.
It stays at the top of the page, and doesn't follow you around. and hopefully will remain the only ad that appears in these pages.
Those of us that do business with Randy, already know very well how to find him.
There is however, a whole bunch of folks on here that might not frequent as often or are new to the site, that might not know where to find a source for parts and info that Randy provides.
This merely provides an easy link.
I am so immune to advertising that I too didn't notice a change.
The banner colors are to my liking, some Red, some White, a touch of black and no Pink stripe. :bomb:
Quote from: FJmonkey on March 28, 2016, 03:33:58 PM
The banner colors are to my liking, some Red, some White, a touch of black and no Pink stripe. :bomb:
Looks like '89 silver/white/red to me. :yes:
Some people have wayyyy TMF time on their hands...
Quote from: ZOA NOM on March 28, 2016, 05:15:22 PM
Some people have wayyyy TMF time on their hands...
Working from home has that effect... That commute down the stairs in my Monkey slippers to my office is way better than tail lights.
Quote from: FJmonkey on March 28, 2016, 05:19:17 PM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on March 28, 2016, 05:15:22 PM
Some people have wayyyy TMF time on their hands...
Working from home has that effect... That commute down the stairs in my Monkey slippers to my office is way better than tail lights.
And probably much safer too :-)
The banner ad turns out to be a nifty short cut for me.... :good2:
I don't have to go to my bookmarks bar to order (or go down to the Vendors Section and look up RPM)
Quote from: Pat Conlon on April 27, 2016, 09:00:24 PM
The banner ad turns out to be a nifty short cut for me.... :good2:
I don't have to go to my bookmarks bar to order (or go down to the Vendors Section and look up RPM)
All I have to do is type an "r" in my browser bar and the RPM website comes up automatically ...
Quote from: Arnie on March 24, 2016, 10:04:32 PM
I appreciate that you've taken over the ownership of this forum.
What I don't appreciate is that you've now plastered that huge ugly banner ad across EVERY page.
For a while now, that banner ad was ON unless you registered and logged in.
We know who you are and the service you provide. No need to club us with it.
You've said it yourself that the FJs are the greatest part of your business.
Certainly put the banner ad on the log in page to remind us, but get rid of it after a contributing member has logged in.
Arnie
I'm with you Arnie, I never liked the banner either. That's why I use Firefox and the AdBlock Plus extension. Not only does it block the banners here, it blocks most ads on all other websites. And if you install the AdBlock Plus Element helper, you can also hand select images to block, like those annoying avatars of primates with their tongues sticking out.
Advertising & New Moderation Team (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=15858.0)
Randy - RPM