Ads versus No Ads

[The Ref]

I am now getting 3 larger banner ads per page, space for forum threads is becoming smaller and smaller. I just want to throw out there an idea based on some software companies who offer a free program with commercials or a paid one with no commercials. Would it be possible for our forum to offer such a choice for those of us who are willing to pay a basic annual fee and get a forum with no ads of any kind. Personally I much prefer to pay for an ad-free forum that having all these ads popping out and using up my screen space. In addition if I am not careful how I move my mouse these pesky ads open themselves or move the text I want to read.

[paul-collins]

I'd pay for premium service too.

[Grizzly]

Why don't you just use a browser with a good add blocking extension? I use the opera browser with adblocking extensions and I don't see any ads at all. I imagine most other regular forums users have similar ad blocking stuff activated.

[socceronly]

3 banner ads?

I hope you don't consider Mission 2014 a banner ad...

[The Ref]

3 banner ads?

I hope you don't consider Mission 2014 a banner ad...
What do you call it? In any event I am just posting an alternative idea, without trying to offend anyone, that would provide equal or better income for us Voyageurs.

[paul-collins]

I would think the mission 2014 would be classified as a PSA, and I would want to see that even if I paid to not see the commercial ads.

[socceronly]

I hate ads.

I am a card carrying adbusters kind of guy. I even have black and white editions of that magazine before they went color.

There are things worth avoiding. Entitlement being one of them. You see this a lot in the team SG's. The notion of late comers, real supporters, ect... a divisiveness that is not helpful. A distinguishing characteristic like paid vs non paid members could lead there. How do you ban a ziggy if he has paid? Sure you just do it, but you see what I am getting at.

We could set a monthly goal which pays for the server and a bit extra to do things with like put scarves up in bars ect... fund small monthly projects. That might be interesting. It lays out where the money is going and is not subject to the whims of the ads, which have only ever made enough money to pay for the server once.

[ray]

We could set a monthly goal which pays for the server and a bit extra to do things with like put scarves up in bars ect... fund small monthly projects. That might be interesting. It lays out where the money is going and is not subject to the whims of the ads, which have only ever made enough money to pay for the server once.

I don't have a huge problem with the current ads but what kind of $$$ are we looking at to remove them entirely (Server cost per month or year)?

[paul-collins]

There are things worth avoiding. Entitlement being one of them. You see this a lot in the team SG's. The notion of late comers, real supporters, ect... a divisiveness that is not helpful. A distinguishing characteristic like paid vs non paid members could lead there. How do you ban a ziggy if he has paid? Sure you just do it, but you see what I am getting at.
There's no reason for the forum to distinguish between paid and no-paid users externally, it would be a "convenience charge" only. I understand what you're getting at, I've seen it at other forums where you get some sort of identifier attached to your profile, I think it's silly. But there's no reason to make it obvious.

However, the funding questions you raise are interesting and probably require more thorough discussion (in a larger conversation about the intent of the board, and the group in general). Wasn't there some discussion of a charter recently?

[The Ref]

I hate ads.

I am a card carrying adbusters kind of guy. I even have black and white editions of that magazine before they went color.

There are things worth avoiding. Entitlement being one of them. You see this a lot in the team SG's. The notion of late comers, real supporters, ect... a divisiveness that is not helpful. A distinguishing characteristic like paid vs non paid members could lead there. How do you ban a ziggy if he has paid? Sure you just do it, but you see what I am getting at.

We could set a monthly goal which pays for the server and a bit extra to do things with like put scarves up in bars ect... fund small monthly projects. That might be interesting. It lays out where the money is going and is not subject to the whims of the ads, which have only ever made enough money to pay for the server once.

I am just wondering, how much do you get paid for the 'roll over' ads? If you do not want to have paid service for no ads, maybe I can over bid for the space myself and that way not have the annoying ad.