Another new world

[gstark]

With the meltdown of the global economy, so too there has been a minor meltdown in other areas of the economy. This has presented me with a number of new challenges, and I've needed to have a serious think about how best to address them.

You would be aware that in the past I have supported this forum with finances and time, but due to this economic meltdown I now need to reverse those flows

I've discussed this at length with the mods, and we've tossed around all manner of ideas: charging members for access to the site, asking for contributions, placing ads on the site. I consider none of these options to be particularly attractive, and despite my personal aversion to advertising, I think that having the site host a small amount of advertising is probably the best of those alternatives.

Why?

From your point of view, it's totally passive; nothing changes, save a bit of extra content, and some extra cookies.

Were we to go down either of the other paths, that would have meant that perhaps I needed to implement some way to accept payments from you, and it would have also led to having me restrict the valuable resource that I think this site represents. I didn't like any of that, and I disliked the implications of those outcomes even more than I dislike advertising Further, I'm not sure that those paths would have been able to adequately address the challenges that I have, over the longer term.

So ... I have already added a Privacy Policy to the site. That was probably something I should have done a while ago. It's accessible from a link on the Portal Page, and that will always be the case.

I shall be starting to add some code to bring Google Adsense to this site later this evening. I promise to try to keep it as unobtrusive as I can.

And because of the challenges that I know several of us are facing at this time, there will be a new section appearing in the Members section shortly as well, where members may place notices of opportunities that they may have in order to be able to help others here. These may be in form of job vacancies, or perhaps just help wanted: maybe somebody needs some assistance with a short term or temporary task, and this will be where you may post such a notice.

[Alpha_7]

Sounds like a necessary evil.

[colin_12]

This sounds OK to me Gary. Better than going belly up and having no site.
We like it here.

[aim54x]

Totally understand the need Gary, lets just hope that it works for us all.

[asho]

I normally run adblock to stop adverts - but I like to support community sites and I have now whitelisted dslrusers.com so I will be sure to check out the advertisers to help with your costs.

[aim54x]

I normally run adblock to stop adverts - but I like to support community sites and I have now whitelisted dslrusers.com so I will be sure to check out the advertisers to help with your costs.

Yes that is a good idea!

[blacknstormy]

right behind you Gary ...
edit - just saw my first ad !!

[sheepie]

No problems with this approach at all Gary - and the use of Google appears to put aside the potential issues we've discussed over the years in regards to remaining impartial.

Just don't sell out on us completely! Oh - wait - you already did that one! ....And April 1 is fast approaching

[the foto fanatic]

Thanks for keeping everyone in the loop, Gary.

When I think how much I have gained from this forum over the four or more years that I have been a member, having to cope with some advertising on the site is no problem. I read newspapers and magazines - adverts. I watch TV - adverts. It is hardly anything that is new to any of us.

May the GFC be quickly over.

[Willy wombat]

Thanks for the update Garry. sign of the times.

Let us know how you go developing scope for donations too. Perhaps we can also register as a charity for taxation purposes?

[garyr]

When I think how much I have gained from this forum over the four or more years that I have been a member, having to cope with some advertising on the site is no problem

[gstark]

Thanx, all, for your support in this.

No problems with this approach at all Gary - and the use of Google appears to put aside the potential issues we've discussed over the years in regards to remaining impartial.

That was also an important consideration.

Just don't sell out on us completely! Oh - wait - you already did that one! ....And April 1 is fast approaching

Watch this space.

[fozzie]

Gary - thank you for your openness.

Should the need arise in the future, I personally have no problem with making a donation or annual fee.

fozzie

[radar]

Not a problem Gary, the Google Ads you have setup are pretty unobtrusive so if it can help, I'm all for it. Keep us posted on how things are going, I'm also willing to chip in if need be in the future.

cheers,

André

[ozimax]

May the GFC be quickly over.

GFC? What GFC? Doesn't bother me in the least. I went bankrupt during the boom years...

As for Gary's post, do what you need to do, no problems with me.

[Greg B]

Great to see the positive responses.

[Reschsmooth]

Does this mean we can finally access penis enlargement medication on our favorite site? I have no problem and see it as a necessary evolution.

[gstark]

Patrick,

Which part is the necessary evolution? That you need penis enlargement medication?

[ATJ]

I'm just so happy that I now have access to ads for "deer fence".

[Matt. K]

A small price for a great forum. Looks like a positive response from everyone...which says a lot for the quality of the members.

[rflower]

I'm just so happy that I now have access to ads for "deer fence".

I am seeing that as well ... The Google adds sem to be smart and want to advertise what is on the page. The first thing on the Recent Posts page is ... Show latest Posts. so the adds all seem to be for fencing ...

Overall, I do not mind the adds - whatever it needs . I am also happy to help out

[gstark]

Russell,

The first thing on the Recent Posts page is ... Show latest Posts. so the adds all seem to be for fencing ...

Thanx for that. I've been trying to understand the connection, and the logic had been escaping me.

[NeoN]

I rather have adverts ,than no Forum at all , and the fact that we had it good for so long ,we should all be grateful,for not many sites if any ,will give you the same help, and constructive advise ,and to all Moderators and Gary ,thanks to your input and hard work ,we all of us enjoy a GREAT SITE .Thank you
NeoN

[ATJ]

I am seeing that as well ... The Google adds sem to be smart and want to advertise what is on the page. The first thing on the Recent Posts page is ... Show latest Posts. so the adds all seem to be for fencing ...

Ah, that explains it. And also why the ads on the page I see now (mode=quote) are:

Ads by Google Love Quote Funny Bible Quotes Best Quotes Stock Ticker Quotes

[chrisk]

Gary - thank you for your openness.

Should the need arise in the future, I personally have no problem with making a donation or annual fee.

fozzie

x2. i am totally oblivious to the cost of keeping this site going. i dont see why a small contribution from all of us cant be made to keep the site afloat. these are tough times aproaching and we should all be looking to help eachother out.

if you dont want to make it a compulsory thing, then ad a "donations" tab linked to an account and give people the opportunity to help in any little way they can.

[whitey]

With the recent outages I realised how much I need my daily fix of the site. Would be happy to make some contribution to the ongoing running.

[glamy]

Gary - thank you for your openness.

Should the need arise in the future, I personally have no problem with making a donation or annual fee.

fozzie

Same here

[big pix]

I have been here so long it just feels like home....... if a few ad's makes the difference between having a forum or, may I not be struck down as Gary has some big time friends, not having a forum, I will take the one with the ad's......

I have meet a lot of people through this forum, thanks Gary, who are still good friends today, and I am sure others have as well........

..... and may I also say if we have to pay a membership, so be it, I am in

[blacknstormy]

Does this mean we can finally access penis enlargement medication on our favorite site? I have no problem and see it as a necessary evolution.

 LOL - that comments begs to differ - no problem indeed  LOL

[biggerry]

One primary reasons for me initially choosing this forum over several other australian based ones was the clean and ad free look, however I understand the costs involved in running such a site, so this (ads) was a necessary path. However I would support a donation system in preference to ads, mainly since, like someone also mentioned previously, I block most ads on sites I regularly visit, hence my support would be higher through donation

Nonetheless, I agree with the fact I would rather have ads then no forum

[Oz_Beachside]

it is a solid club of valuable members indeed

on a commercial note, if we are enjoying "Google Ads", should consideration be given to provide some commercial space for our members to advertise? understandably contained, but a natural progression in fairness to enjoying google ads one would think. i dont mean a flogathon, but just thinking outside the conditions we have had in the past... food for mods thoughts...

[ozczecho]

Geat job Gary...its a great forum and what ever helps finance is all good.....as far as ads go google ads are the best of a bad bunch

...also not a bad idea suggested by Oz_Beachside.

[Reschsmooth]

Patrick,

Which part is the necessary evolution? That you need penis enlargement medication?

If I meant that, I would have said 'overdue' (although given one and a half issue, probably unnecessary). But enough about me...

[dawesy]

One imagines we actually need to click through occasionally for the site to reap any financial reward? On that assumption I have done so during today's visit. It was even a relevant add, D300 batteries!

[gstark]

One imagines we actually need to click through occasionally for the site to reap any financial reward? On that assumption I have done so during today's visit. It was even a relevant add, D300 batteries!

I'm still experimenting with ad quantity and placement, and I'm trying to figure out what works, and what might not.

I would encourage anyone to click through on any ads that they may happen to hold an interest in. I would not suggest, nor encourage, clicking just because it may gain me a financial reward.

[muzz]

I haven't been here long enough to get used to the specifics of the site but I'm certainly not bothered in any way by the ads. I only come here for the articles (honest cre8tivepixels!) so they don't distract me.

I hope to continue to gain great tips and helpful information from the wealth of knowledge present here - I'm sure a few lines of blue text and the odd gif here and there won't pose a problem.

I would not suggest, nor encourage, clicking just because it may gain me a financial reward.

I think it would take a lot of clicks to send you to Monte Carlo but I don't have a problem clicking through even if I'm not interested if it means that the site can continue.

[gstark]

I would not suggest, nor encourage, clicking just because it may gain me a financial reward.

I think it would take a lot of clicks to send you to Monte Carlo

That is certainly true. The whole thing is steeped in mystery and to some extent, confusion. Google do not tell you what the actual earning rates might be, and looking at the numbers, there is no semblance of consistency from one day to the next.

And from what I'm seeing, one day's earnings won't even buy your lunchtime sandwiches.

[muzz]

The whole thing is steeped in mystery and to some extent, confusion. Google do not tell you what the actual earning rates might be, and looking at the numbers, there is no semblance of consistency from one day to the next.

The Google adds sem to be smart and want to advertise what is on the page.

Hey Gary, once you get a handle on it, maybe we could have a competition to craft the post that gets the highest premium from the ads, or see who can generate the weirdest ads from a post! All that clicking would have to stimulate the economy a little. PS. Just clicked an ad to win a Canon "Professional" Digital SLR - turned out to be a 450D !!!

[gstark]

Hey Gary, once you get a handle on it,

I suspect that that's a challenge that's beyond a mere mortal like me. For instance (and bear in mind that today's numbers don't complete till 7pm Sydney time ...

Yesterday ...

Code: Select all

Page impressions     Clicks     Page CTR    Earnings
3,293    17    0.52%    $y


Today

Code: Select all

Page impressions     Clicks     Page CTR    Earnings
3,271    13    0.40%   $y/3


I've removed the actual $ amounts because that might be in breach of the Ts&Cs, but I think you get the idea. With over an hour still to go for today, there's barely a guitar nipple's difference between the number of impressions, and while yesterday has only four more clicks-through, that seems to have about tripled the earnings available to me. And none of those daily earnings numbers reach into double figures.

maybe we could have a competition to craft the post that gets the highest premium from the ads, or see who can generate the weirdest ads from a post! All that clicking would have to stimulate the economy a little.

I'm not sure how we could gather that metric. I guess that people could, when they see a weird ad on a posting page, capture an image of the page and then post that; that would perhaps address the second part of what you're suggesting.

Of course, while the sarcastic/silly part of me really likes that concept, the forum admin in me might be inclined to wonder whether that might not be considered to be a tad off topic. Even within our Media Watch thread.

PS. Just clicked an ad to win a Canon "Professional" Digital SLR - turned out to be a 450D !!!

Please be careful to not tread in that pile of steamy, smelly marketing over there.

[Killakoala]

I think I agree with the majority of what has been said above, with the exception of the penis enlargement bit. Everyone knows it's money, fame and a flash car that matters.

I can understand how much trepidation you must have had to add ads to the site, knowing your personal feelings on advertising and marketing in general, so I salute your testicles. It's a good job you are doing this now and not in late March or I would not have believed you

As has been suggested, a donation link might be a good idea. There are plenty of us that can afford to help out this magnificent forum in a financial way and we would be happy to do that to ease the burden. I'm not sure how you could add that option though and I would say many of us would not trust Paypal. Maybe there is some other way, I don't know as I have no idea about setting up a commercial venture online. I know this would be the last option you choose, but please consider it. We are generous too.

I can't see an annual fee or subscription working. I would envision that it would destroy the site rather than save it.

Another option not yet mentioned is maybe you could petition Kevin47 for some of his 'Economic Stimulus Package' money. It would be nice to see my taxes being spent on something I can obtain value from rather than see it pissed up a wall.

[sirhc55]

Although I’m not adverse to paying for something good I do believe that paying money to a forum would open a can of worms with the tax office.

[biggerry]

I would say many of us would not trust Paypal

a donation link might be a good idea

[Onyx]

Hi Gary - long time member, infrequent visitor...

Reading between the lines, am I right to assume you have had a significant change in yer dayjob arrangements necesitating this site to be more financially self sufficient?! If so, my condolensces, if not - well just ignore me.

I'd be in support of a donations system for this site. eg. mini-meets attracting a cover charge, with first timers getting it refunded or something.

[Raskill]

I salute your testicles..

Is this a navy thing....?

[Killakoala]

I salute your testicles..

Is this a navy thing....?

Could be!!...... Sometimes it's unavoidable.

[Ben.bb]

I think a three chears, and a round of beers and a big thank you is in order for garrys time and effort keeping this site going!

[surenj]

Oops I was wondering these ADs were until I realised I had to turn off ADBLOCK for this site!

Gary you will have to do what you will have to do. We are behind ya.

[stubbsy]

PS. Just clicked an ad to win a Canon "Professional" Digital SLR - turned out to be a 450D !!!

And if you look at what you need to do for the free entry (I've circled the "juicy" bit) it demonstrates TANSTAAFL:

[gstark]

Which begs the question: what in the world are you subscribing to, that would cost (and might be worth) $20/week!

[Ben.bb]

$20/week!

$20 twice a week, read it closely gary