ex-webby

Dear S'netters!

As you will have seen, we're working madly to make many upgrades to scoobynet. You will have noticed the massive speed improvement, which will actually get even better soon when we move to new servers.

All of this, of course, costs money, so we have a proposal for you..

You will probably have noticed the "Ads by google" tucked away at the bottom of the page. One of the things we've done is to make these adverts very descrete for members who are logged in, but much more bold and at the top of the page for guests.

One of the things we've noticed is that since we've made some of the initial changes, the adverts have become far more relevant, and now are genuinely of interest most of the time. Obviously you still get some that are simply of no interest, but its much better than it was before.

What we are proposing, is that we place the adverts at the top of the page. They are easy to ignore if you want to, but it means you won't miss the ones which are really relevant and therefore genuinely interesting.

Subscribing members (ScoobyNet Plus members) will be able to turn them off altogether, but I would genuinely suggest leaving them on anyway as they really don't cause a big problem, and as I say, can be very interesting.

So what do you say? Are you happy for us to do this to help keep the site going and free of charge?

We would appreciate your support and feedback.

Webby

mattstant

Didn't even know they were there till you pointed them out so errrrrrrrr no not the slightest bit bothered

SJ_Skyline

First off - job well done on the server move, everything seems a lot faster! Thankyou very much for all the effort you guys have put in.

WRT ads, I find that I filter them out when I scan a thread most of the time. I don't know if they would be so easy to filter at the top of the page as they are up there in your face. Discrete as they are, they can be extremely amusing when the thread takes an unexpected turn

At the end of the day, if it pays then rent then so be it!

MickWrx

I am completely happy with the look and speed of the new boards, and given the free scoobynet advertisement in January's edition of Banzai due to coverage of the WYIOC track day, may be getting more hits soon

The advertisment links, Like said are easy enought to ignore if not relevent, And if anything there is of interest its win win

Keep up the good work guys

GSUS

Hi All,

Personally I’ve never had a problem with the adverts, as a matter of fact i've actually used them on a number of occassions to find interesting sites that have helped me and given me more information.

The plus side of course is that the Scooby Net community remains free and for genuine enthusiast. Keep up the good work.

Regards

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Would prefer it at the bottom of the screen (less wear and tear on the scroll mouse )

Plus your main ads are already at the top anyway (the biggest paying advertisers I'd presume - would they like a impreza exhaust being advertised by google for half the price right next to their ad LOL ), so wouldn't be better to spread things about?

And my user session keep resetting everytime I go off to do some work...dammit

pauld37

Happy with what ever you decide. Keep up the excellent work

astraboy

Personally I'd go for the bottom of the page.
Cheers,
astraboy.

Karl 227

The choice is yours and fine with me, I think the new layout, speed etc. is great, thanks for a great site, all you need to do now is dump muppets and we'll all be happy

Oh, and if that TelBoy comes on here whinging just ignore him, it's his time of the month

sti-04!!

First off all & i am sure i echo everyone else's feelings when i say well done on the work

Secondly - Do what you want its your site

TelBoy

At the bottom, as they are.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Well done regarding the upgrades- the site certainly seems much faster now. Personally, I don't mind where the adverts are placed. As long as we don't get intrusive pop ups all over the shop then I think placement is irrelevant as they require no action on the user's part unless you wish to follow them up - if not, you can always ignore them.

Best wishes,

NS04

MrShades

Most definitely keep them - but most definitely at the bottom...

slimnotshady

... if we have to have them, at the bottom out of the way please!

I received a nasty self installing program (virus) last year from some scumbag advertising vermin which brought up pop-up ads every few seconds and was a real pain to remove. It dragged up crap from 'adserve' and 'doubleclick' to name two, and others, so I NEVER click on anything with these names or similar in the link. If it's direct links that are of use, fine, I've no quibble at all!

Apart from that, Seasons Greetings and keep up the good work!!

cheers
Si

IN THE STICKS

Sums it up for me

ex-webby

Thanks for the comments so far

Its really nice to see all the support, and I also fully understand those who would rather they were only at the bottom.

We just need to find the right balance, which I think we'll find between us.

Keep the comments coming!

Huxley

No problems here !


Ah but that reminds me, do we have to have this at the top of muppets http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/announcement.php?f=8&a=24

All we want to do is muppet

Keep up the good work

Reality

Up the top will almost certainly generate more revenue and they're easier to ignore than they used to be. As you said they are actually relevant now - especially ones about white knickers on the Soiled panty thread .

Just don't put them as the third reply to all threads

Edit - Why not have them at the Top and at the bottom - Just a suggestion - they really don't bother me at all in the current format .

ex-webby

I think that's valid Reality.

Agreed re the replies in threads. We've actually done that, but for guests only.. if you want to take a look, log out and look at a thread, but I agree it wouldn't be appropriate to do that for members.

ex-webby

LOL @ Huxley

How dare shaun put something sensible in the hutch! I'll have words with him. This place is going to rack and ruin!

RichWalk

If it keeps the site subscription free then I am all for it

cw42

iTrader: (1)

at the bottom, and it's finally beginning to get back to normal, and a little faster, well done.
chris.

Nicci

I vote for ads at the bottom.

There is already so much at the top of the page.

Thanks for asking our opinion anyway

David Lock

I think I can bare with it as long as you keep them to a bear minimum

flat4

try it, what's the worst that can happen? we all complain and nag you 24/7 to put them back at the bottom?

Billbill

What ever you do is fine with me,
Just as long as the site stays free.

ex-webby

flat4.. thats what I'm hoping to avoid!!

Why don't we try this for now..

we'll move the bottom one to just above the quick reply box. It means you're more likely to see it, but its only an extra inch of screen if you want to scroll past it to the quick reply.

It then doesn't clutter the top section further.

Is everyone willing to give that a try for a bit?

Huxley

You just cant get the staff these days

ex-webby

to be clear.. we might want to trial putting the at the top as well, but we'll probably include an option to let you switch them off if you really want to

flat4

so you're going to stick that huge 'Car Speed Camera Detector' ad inbetween the last post and the quick reply?

don't say i didn't warn you