Bad ads
- endboss
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Bad ads
Is anyone else getting this Alan Wake ad over and over? Whenever I load up a page on this site there it is, and it just pops up and covers the middle of my screen without me doing anything. It's such a pain to have to close it on every single page. Do companies think this is actually a good idea? That I'm going to buy this stupid game after it annoyed the hell out of me online? I hate using adblock because it hurts revenue for websites but this thing is nearly impossible to browse comfortably with. /rant
On a lighter note, I'm glad I haven't seen an evony ad in a while around here. I don't have to look over my shoulder and make sure no one else is in the room whenever I browse this site anymore! Yay! However, the GOG.com ad is still inappropriate with its MAXIMUM CLEAVAGE, which sucks, because it's a great place and if I didn't already know about it I would never go to that site because of the slutty ad.
On a lighter note, I'm glad I haven't seen an evony ad in a while around here. I don't have to look over my shoulder and make sure no one else is in the room whenever I browse this site anymore! Yay! However, the GOG.com ad is still inappropriate with its MAXIMUM CLEAVAGE, which sucks, because it's a great place and if I didn't already know about it I would never go to that site because of the slutty ad.
"No I did not perform an orgy, and yes I need tips on how to do this." - MaxfireXSA
- endboss
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CoolBuckGB wrote:I've sent an email to UGO about the Alan Wake ad. It's annoying me, as well .
Ah! So that's where it's from! Anyways, it just my opinion. If the boobies get people to click on the ad, then all the better for both you guys and GOG. It's just a little embarrassing and juvenile, imo, which I know is par for the course for the internet but I like to think GB has class. :monocle:So you don't like the Sacred Underworld daemon image? They've released quite a few new RPGs on GOG since that ad was made, so I'll see about getting it revised.
"No I did not perform an orgy, and yes I need tips on how to do this." - MaxfireXSA
- endboss
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http://c3.openx.org/e446b5a647981b09e64 ... 6cddf9.png
http://c3.openx.org/037741cc6beac710eee ... e299d5.png
Very, very cool, Buck
http://c3.openx.org/037741cc6beac710eee ... e299d5.png
Very, very cool, Buck
"No I did not perform an orgy, and yes I need tips on how to do this." - MaxfireXSA
I've been having those Alan Wade(?) ads that cover up the screen and am glad to hear that something has been done about them. I certainly won't be buying that game!! On a different subject: Has anyone done the side quest in Drakensang-The Dark Eye where you are asked to mend a broken water source and have five valves to turn on in a certain order? It's driving me crazy. It's given by a Ferdok guard who's worried about the coming festivities and also about me breaking the system!
- endboss
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Try posting your question here: Drakensang: The Dark Eye - GameBanshee Forums
"No I did not perform an orgy, and yes I need tips on how to do this." - MaxfireXSA
Better, then? I also made a Master of Magic one in Photoshop this morning, so you'll see that in the rotation, too.endboss wrote:http://c3.openx.org/e446b5a647981b09e64 ... 6cddf9.png
http://c3.openx.org/037741cc6beac710eee ... e299d5.png
Very, very cool, Buck
- childofbhaal
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- endboss
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No ads = no revenue = no Gamebanshee
I recommend you place an exception in your adblock for sites you enjoy going to. Adblock is good when you're browsing around on the 'net and you don't want to be hit with crap, but good sites usually have reasonable ads and admins that will work to limit bad ads. If you enjoy visiting them you need to deal with the ads because, as I said, they are how sites are able to stay active. Ads are kind of the compromise we've made with the Internet so we don't have to pay access fees. Using adblock for places you enjoy going to is kind of like sneaking into an amusement park.
I recommend you place an exception in your adblock for sites you enjoy going to. Adblock is good when you're browsing around on the 'net and you don't want to be hit with crap, but good sites usually have reasonable ads and admins that will work to limit bad ads. If you enjoy visiting them you need to deal with the ads because, as I said, they are how sites are able to stay active. Ads are kind of the compromise we've made with the Internet so we don't have to pay access fees. Using adblock for places you enjoy going to is kind of like sneaking into an amusement park.
"No I did not perform an orgy, and yes I need tips on how to do this." - MaxfireXSA
What endboss said. What's disheartening is that our traffic levels have stayed pretty much the same over the past couple of years, but our revenue has dropped a good 20-30% due to ad blocking. The cost to run the site isn't getting any cheaper either - this whole hacking debacle forced me to go with a new server + backup plan that will cost me about $110 more per month than I was paying previously and I'll be spending well over $1500 during the remainder of this month to bring my Joomla team back on board to help migrate data, patch security holes, and take care of a couple of pending projects.endboss wrote:No ads = no revenue = no Gamebanshee
If our revenue continues to drop, I will inevitably find myself in a situation where I have to make some very tough decisions.
I don't think you have anything to worry about Buck. People aren't blocking ads just on GameBanshee, they do it everywhere. This internet economy thing has a tendency to strike a balance. There was too much advertising at one point, now what little gets through brings in more revenue.
To top that, I'm already seeing the first partially flash/dhtml based forums pop up around the internet. They're quite neat actually, usually have a lot of additional fuctionality over PHP, advertisment placing included. That isn't blocked without blocking most of the forum.
It will work out.
To top that, I'm already seeing the first partially flash/dhtml based forums pop up around the internet. They're quite neat actually, usually have a lot of additional fuctionality over PHP, advertisment placing included. That isn't blocked without blocking most of the forum.
It will work out.
[INDENT]'..tolerance when fog rolls in clouds unfold your selfless wings feathers that float from arabesque pillows I sold to be consumed by the snow white cold if only the plaster could hold withstand the flam[url="http://bit.ly/foT0XQ"]e[/url] then this fountain torch would know no shame and be outstripped only by the sun that burns with the glory and honor of your..'[/INDENT]
- endboss
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I blame the influx of flash ads in the early to mid-00's for the prevalence of adblock - like the Alan Wake ad that was the topic of this thread. I've been on the 'net since 1997 and had to install adblock around '05 because of the prevalence of those damn flash ads that pop things up, play music, and are a total nuisance. And it's not like it was recommended to me - I went looking for it! Advertisers should have taken the hint when browsers were forced to start including their own pop-up blocking features. Now, GB's little flash box on the left here isn't bad, but newcomers to the site don't know that, and people without adblock who came while that Alan Wake thing was running would have been turned off.
I don't really think the Internet is going to function on free market principles when it comes to advertising. Adblock has made it too easy and too tempting to be a free rider, and the only incentive against using adblock is a moral one (and you have to think long term - something human beings are notoriously bad at). Flash based forums aren't going to solve anything. Bad ads will infect those too, and since you can't block the ad without blocking the forum, people will simply not visit. Same thing goes if you base whole websites around those models (unlike now - where flash based websites are mainly the domain of companies who don't need ad revenue). The prevalence of social networking, like was mentioned in the thread in GD, means that people are migrating away from forums anyways.
The freedom of the Internet is unparalleled. Here we have private enterprises functioning as a public service - we pay "taxes" through ads, if you will. Except the taxes don't cost anything. And there's a little program to get rid of them. I personally think that we'll eventually end up with a subscription model. Take this site for example. It basically functions like a magazine. There are reviews, gameplay tips, screenshots, etc. I can see a future where at first (for example) there are a bunch of RPG sites with their own subscriptions, probably administered through paypal or some other third party. Then a few of them merge into mega sites, due to lack of content and the required number of consumers, where they get exclusive access to upcoming games and are kind of like an IGN or Gamespot but dedicated towards RPGs (but hopefully not full of crap writers and sellouts). The mega-site would probably have its own little facebook like social network. Then, several mega-sites (say the RPG, Strategy, and Adventure ones) are taken under the umbrella of an even larger corporation. While each remains 'separate', you pay to the big corp, and the social network extends to them all. Of course, payment will be required, and possibly some legal system will be set up so rogue hippie webmasters won't be able to pirate information and release it for free on their own domains. There will still be some advertising, of course, but there will be much more quality control. Magazines, after all, don't have ads that play music or pop up in your face.
This is kind of already happening - Gamebanshee used to be part of UGO, who were then bought up by 1up. Sorcerers.net hosts a couple of sites. Many websites are using facebook to connected with their users (in fact, there is no forum link on the new Elder Scrolls V teaser site - just a link to their facebook group). Bioware and Rockstar have made their own 'social networks'. More and more content from IGN and Gamespot require paid membership. The free ride was nice but it obviously cannot last forever. Advertisers are partially to blame, and we are partially to blame.
I don't know, I'm just spitballing here. I'd like to see GB stay afloat in whatever form that may be.
I don't really think the Internet is going to function on free market principles when it comes to advertising. Adblock has made it too easy and too tempting to be a free rider, and the only incentive against using adblock is a moral one (and you have to think long term - something human beings are notoriously bad at). Flash based forums aren't going to solve anything. Bad ads will infect those too, and since you can't block the ad without blocking the forum, people will simply not visit. Same thing goes if you base whole websites around those models (unlike now - where flash based websites are mainly the domain of companies who don't need ad revenue). The prevalence of social networking, like was mentioned in the thread in GD, means that people are migrating away from forums anyways.
The freedom of the Internet is unparalleled. Here we have private enterprises functioning as a public service - we pay "taxes" through ads, if you will. Except the taxes don't cost anything. And there's a little program to get rid of them. I personally think that we'll eventually end up with a subscription model. Take this site for example. It basically functions like a magazine. There are reviews, gameplay tips, screenshots, etc. I can see a future where at first (for example) there are a bunch of RPG sites with their own subscriptions, probably administered through paypal or some other third party. Then a few of them merge into mega sites, due to lack of content and the required number of consumers, where they get exclusive access to upcoming games and are kind of like an IGN or Gamespot but dedicated towards RPGs (but hopefully not full of crap writers and sellouts). The mega-site would probably have its own little facebook like social network. Then, several mega-sites (say the RPG, Strategy, and Adventure ones) are taken under the umbrella of an even larger corporation. While each remains 'separate', you pay to the big corp, and the social network extends to them all. Of course, payment will be required, and possibly some legal system will be set up so rogue hippie webmasters won't be able to pirate information and release it for free on their own domains. There will still be some advertising, of course, but there will be much more quality control. Magazines, after all, don't have ads that play music or pop up in your face.
This is kind of already happening - Gamebanshee used to be part of UGO, who were then bought up by 1up. Sorcerers.net hosts a couple of sites. Many websites are using facebook to connected with their users (in fact, there is no forum link on the new Elder Scrolls V teaser site - just a link to their facebook group). Bioware and Rockstar have made their own 'social networks'. More and more content from IGN and Gamespot require paid membership. The free ride was nice but it obviously cannot last forever. Advertisers are partially to blame, and we are partially to blame.
I don't know, I'm just spitballing here. I'd like to see GB stay afloat in whatever form that may be.
"No I did not perform an orgy, and yes I need tips on how to do this." - MaxfireXSA
It's hard to say what the future will hold, but I'm not a wealthy person, so if the site isn't making enough money to sustain itself, then obviously I'd have to move on to something that will continue to pay my mortgage and feed my three kids. I hope it doesn't come to that, but the current trend isn't exactly painting a great picture.
Actually, GameBanshee has never been a part of UGO - I simply have a contract with them to serve my ads, and part of the deal is that I'm required to have their navigation bar across the top of every page. Also, UGO bought 1UP (not the other way around), and they're currently in the process of rebranding themselves as 1UP due to the site's significant presence on the Internet.endboss wrote:Gamebanshee used to be part of UGO, who were then bought up by 1up.
Paid content.
Will only work if the user base willing to pay is large enough and the content is unique enough. This includes donations type sites.
Advertised subsided sites.
Usually larger sites with many users where either adverts can pay fully for the site maintenance or where the site is supported by another form of payment or organisation.
So far - I've not seen many websites, if any, which can survive only on advertisement and turn a profit. Even the very large sites do more then adverts, such as datamining and providing that information. Ads like UGO ..... no way.
And the very large sites which - seemingly - looks like they survive on adverts have millions of hits per day.
Smaller sites run with a loss or with a secondary income.
Hobby based sites where the money is secondary and adverts aren't needed for the survival. Here content is provided sporadically and usually free of charge.
I'm sorry to say, but I've never really seen GameBanshee as being large enough to survive based fully on advertisement revenue. It didn't work for most sites in the 90s, it didn't work in the '00s and it will only get worse in the future. Especially when we view that a larger and larger part of internet usage is from mobile devices, then ad blocking and fast performance sites will be more and more important.
The annoyance of advertisements, the risk of infected adverts, the performance hit etc will inevitable mean most regular surfers will block most all adverts, regardless. Either by plug-in or as native browser functionality.
The only reason I personally do not block all ads on GameBanshee is that it is the only way I can support Buck. (I have to block some, because half-naked girls aren't the best thing to have on my screen at work)
When we could donate money, I did, and I would do again (although not in the amount which could pay for the server - I'm unfortunately not that wealthy).
On all other sites, I block adverts and I am completely aware it might cost the sites money, but the adverts are a problem in themselves and frankly makes me not care.
But anyway - the future for adverts run sites is grim at best and I think within a few years, any site which only income is adverts - and not of facebook size - will have to turn significant corners and make the hard decisions Buck's talking about.
The future of the internet is paid content alongside free and especially a mixture of both.
The advertisement model as it exists today is dying, and the advertisers know this.
Will only work if the user base willing to pay is large enough and the content is unique enough. This includes donations type sites.
Advertised subsided sites.
Usually larger sites with many users where either adverts can pay fully for the site maintenance or where the site is supported by another form of payment or organisation.
So far - I've not seen many websites, if any, which can survive only on advertisement and turn a profit. Even the very large sites do more then adverts, such as datamining and providing that information. Ads like UGO ..... no way.
And the very large sites which - seemingly - looks like they survive on adverts have millions of hits per day.
Smaller sites run with a loss or with a secondary income.
Hobby based sites where the money is secondary and adverts aren't needed for the survival. Here content is provided sporadically and usually free of charge.
I'm sorry to say, but I've never really seen GameBanshee as being large enough to survive based fully on advertisement revenue. It didn't work for most sites in the 90s, it didn't work in the '00s and it will only get worse in the future. Especially when we view that a larger and larger part of internet usage is from mobile devices, then ad blocking and fast performance sites will be more and more important.
The annoyance of advertisements, the risk of infected adverts, the performance hit etc will inevitable mean most regular surfers will block most all adverts, regardless. Either by plug-in or as native browser functionality.
The only reason I personally do not block all ads on GameBanshee is that it is the only way I can support Buck. (I have to block some, because half-naked girls aren't the best thing to have on my screen at work)
When we could donate money, I did, and I would do again (although not in the amount which could pay for the server - I'm unfortunately not that wealthy).
On all other sites, I block adverts and I am completely aware it might cost the sites money, but the adverts are a problem in themselves and frankly makes me not care.
But anyway - the future for adverts run sites is grim at best and I think within a few years, any site which only income is adverts - and not of facebook size - will have to turn significant corners and make the hard decisions Buck's talking about.
The future of the internet is paid content alongside free and especially a mixture of both.
The advertisement model as it exists today is dying, and the advertisers know this.
Insert signature here.
Heh. I've actually clicked a lot less banners as of late since they're all localized and I moved to Norway a year ago. That's a bad excuse though, foreigners are supposed to make learning the language a priority and all. But it's kinda neat to be naturally immune to regular advertising for a change.
Sorry Buck. I'll buy one of those tshirts one of these days to make it up to you.
Sorry Buck. I'll buy one of those tshirts one of these days to make it up to you.
[INDENT]'..tolerance when fog rolls in clouds unfold your selfless wings feathers that float from arabesque pillows I sold to be consumed by the snow white cold if only the plaster could hold withstand the flam[url="http://bit.ly/foT0XQ"]e[/url] then this fountain torch would know no shame and be outstripped only by the sun that burns with the glory and honor of your..'[/INDENT]
- endboss
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Oh, well my bad then!BuckGB wrote:Actually, GameBanshee has never been a part of UGO - I simply have a contract with them to serve my ads, and part of the deal is that I'm required to have their navigation bar across the top of every page. Also, UGO bought 1UP (not the other way around), and they're currently in the process of rebranding themselves as 1UP due to the site's significant presence on the Internet.
Still........... mergers, acquisitions, etc. are all part of life. We saw a bunch during the recent economic downturn as companies struggled to stay alive. If ad revenue becomes a problem for enough sites it will probably happen here. I am nostalgic for the days of the online wild west.
I say you should join up with some other RPG sites that are struggling if it really comes down to it, Buck! There's a lot of great content here that just cannot be found anywhere else and it would be a shame to see it drift away into the ether (or the wayback machine where, let's face it, not everything is preserved).
"No I did not perform an orgy, and yes I need tips on how to do this." - MaxfireXSA
I wonder if there could be advertisements with a certain degree of quality control so people are not immediately turned off. And then a 'supporter' membership where you make a donation to gamebanshee and have a 6 month period free of advertisements. You could get an insignia by your name with supporting member. Somebody cool could make the graphic. I am sure my idea is half baked, but perhaps somebody could work with making something out of it?
Could something be done like pandora where every 20 minutes a video opens up and plays a video. Then the ads attracted could at least not be so poorly wrought and uninteresting. If someone wanted to continue to peruse gamebanshee they need only watch a 30 second video.
It would be much better experience than my AXE cologne thread (you can merge) that has caused me constant aggravation moreso than every 20 minutes a quality produced commercial.
Could something be done like pandora where every 20 minutes a video opens up and plays a video. Then the ads attracted could at least not be so poorly wrought and uninteresting. If someone wanted to continue to peruse gamebanshee they need only watch a 30 second video.
It would be much better experience than my AXE cologne thread (you can merge) that has caused me constant aggravation moreso than every 20 minutes a quality produced commercial.
Right Speech has four aspects: 1. Not lying, but speaking the truth, 2. Avoiding rude and coarse words, but using gentle speech beneficial to the listener, 3. Not slandering, but promoting friendliness and unity, 4. Avoiding frivolous speech, but saying only what is appropriate and beneficial.