I'm amazed at how many people already have cast their vote in the poll in such short time! Thanks! Already people have been giving me some very good ideas!
I think I need to make one thing clear though because I can feel a lot of underlying concerns about one thing: the Sponsor Banners.
Let me tell you up front I have no intention whatsoever in placing banners on the forum. I dislike them as much as the next guy but there are a few reasons why I asked your opinion about it:
1) The forum is eating bandwidth but so far I still have more than enough bandwidth left. But what happens if this forum reaches 1000, 2000 or 5000 members that visit everyday? Bandwidth is incredibly expensive in Holland and if I have to buy more, it can become quite costly... 2) What if I suddenly get an offer from an autoparts company for instance, who wants to place a banner on this forum for say 500 bucks a month (hasn't happened yet!)? Should I reject it or am I a thief of my own pocket then? It was never my intention (and still isn't) to make money from this forum.
Anyway, just to let you all know you will not encounter banners any time soon, since I simply see no need for it yet. And before *any* banners will be placed here, I'll (re-)ask your approval first!
I think most people hate the banners and click through is so low because most of the stuff that flies past has little relevance. When I'm visiting a car-related site, I certainly don't want to see ads for weight loss or some such nonsense.
As long as the ads are targeted to us car nuts and not just anything, most people won't be concerned and many may like it. I for one wouldn't mind seeing ads for Wrenchead.Com or Carparts.com, especially if you could arrange a discount for those that click through from your site.
I agree. What about Fiero related banners such as Kick Hill, the Fiero Shop, whatever Ed Parks calls his place? Would it be unethical to email them and suggest such a thing? I don't think so, IMHO. I would think that, once you showed them the potential for advertising here, they would jump at the chance to do business with you. I'd love to be able to get a PFF discount, but even if I couldn't, I'd still like to be able to find these places quickly if I need their products/services.
My only complaint would be if the banners would slow down surfing thru forum. I'm not too computer literate but I have heard that it eats up memory when surfing and boggs you down.
However, If this forum is costing you money to run it, then get some advertisers. Preferably Fiero related only.
This is a great forum. The best I've found. You have obviously devoted a lot of your personnal time and resources to provide this to all, at no cost to the members. So, if you have the opportunity to make a few $$ to help defray the cost of this forum, then do it.
If anyone objects, they can kiss my ass and go somewhere else. Or start their own forum.
Cliff, thanks for making this forum and keep up the good work!!!
Cliff - I think that if you feel that you need banners then you should use them. The forum is such a good source of information that most current users would remain. It's not like we're paying a subscription rate. I put up with banners on my ISP because they allow it to be free. You learn to tune them out after a while.
- I am not thinking of putting up banners on these pages. I was really just wondering how you would feel about it if ever the need arises.
- I will never have members pay for access to the forum, the mainsite, or whatever.
- I am not thinking of putting up banners on these pages. I was really just wondering how you would feel about it if ever the need arises. (I said that already didn't I? )
I think what we're saying is that we don't expect you to provide this service to us at a loss, and we certainly wouldn't begrudge you for using banners as a way of breaking even or even making a profit.
Sooner or later everything has to pay for itself somehow. We'd appreciate your efforts just as much regardless of whether you use banners or not. Profitable businesses tend to stick around longer than those that lose money.
We all enjoy our hobbies, are willing to put a lot of time and effort into them, but.... when the cost of the hobby outways the pleasure derived, AND when there are alternative ways to offset the cost, then they should be considered. Automotive banners would not be out of line in this forum - if that is the alternative to losing this great place, then I would not have any problem with banners. We all have become "addicted" to this site - keep up the great work, Cliff!!!
If you guys are concerned about banners and advertising, use a free application called WebWasher. It can be a bit confusing to set up, but it removes most of that crap from any site you visit. Check it out at:
I was having a problem with banners making garbage graphics all over my screen sometimes... downloaded and installed webwasher yesterday... works great!!!
The only time I've ever had a problem is when I try to download new drivers for other programs. I keep getting some kind of error message which doesn't allow me to download them. I've found the solution is to temporarily disable WebWasher by clicking on:
My Computer> Control Panel> Internet Options> Connections> Dial-up settings - Settings> Proxy server - untick Use a proxy server
After downloading what I want, I simply follow the same procedure and put the tick back in the appropriate box and carry on. Depending on how anybody else's system is set up, they may or may not have the same problem (and solution to it) as me.
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