Don't panic, I'm testing banner ads

Logged out, cleared cookies, came back and the empty ad space is still there. Using Firefox.
 
Ok, I'm logged in with my testing account in chrome and IE and I'm not seeing the side columns anymore. What about you guys?

I'm not seeing ads, or the side column header, but the blank space still is there. This is FF, Safari, and Chrome, though I wouldn't expect any of this to be a browser issue.
 
When I click into a thread, the space is there...

But, when I Ctrl F5, it goes away...


And this happens everytime I go to a new thread.... (Of course, I only tried it a couple times...)

Not that I care, I really don't, but you seem to want the info...

Linux, FireFox


Marion
 

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Disabled them for now.
 
Ok, I think I've tracked this down. I'm going to reenable them and test again with some various messages. AGAIN, DO NOT PANIC. The desired end result is that the paid subscribers will not see any change to the existing forums layout.
 
Ok, I've reenabled the side colums. They should not be showing up for people with paid subscriptions, yes?
 
AGAIN, DO NOT PANIC.

For some reason, I'm very tempted to stand up and yell Fire! right about now. :D

I have no problem with advertising in the way that you're setting it up; after all, anyone who has been around here awhile knows that BF is a gigantic site not to have any ad revenue to offset operating costs. And it does seem like it's going to be entirely tasteful with no seizure inducing banners or those terrible fade in/out pop overs. So I'm really all for it. :thumbup:
 
No side columns or ads visible to me anymore, things look normal again. Un-panicking as I type. :)
 
Spark,
I certainly understand the need for banner ads and I would do the same if I was in your position but I got to tell you that blank space on the right side is awful.

The top mounted ad is very noticeable but unobtrusive, yet draws your attention whenever a new page loads which for an advertiser is good. Easy solution to the banner ad issue and painless to all of us non paying members. It doesn't seem to slow down the page loading too much on my antique computer.

The side banner space on the other hand compresses the reading space way too much and requires much more scrolling to be able to read stuff. That continous running side ad space is a complete turn off and may drive folks off or keep new non paying members from staying which ultimately is not what you want I am guessing. Maybe the reading space I am seeing is very narrow because I am using a 15" monitor so I will take a look when I am at work tomorrow and see on the 22" one there.

I hope you are very succesful with your banner ads and generate good revenue from them but if there is any way you can eliminate the side ad space or possibly move it to the bottom of the page I am sure it would be greatly appreciated by many and keep the site growing at a good pace forever.

Thanks for listening.

Alex
 
Skyscraper ads require a side column. Compressing the text actually makes it easier and faster for you to read, that's why newspapers have small columns. Since nobody likes the whitespace, I'll see what I can do to fix it
 
Skyscraper ads require a side column. Compressing the text actually makes it easier and faster for you to read, that's why newspapers have small columns. Since nobody likes the whitespace, I'll see what I can do to fix it

I actually wouldn't mind fixing the width, sometimes people will post a huge picture and completely stretch out the text into a single line.

800-900px width on posts is perfect, IMO. :thumbup:
 
Spark,
Thank you for considering the suggestion of doing away with the right side ad space.

I just noticed the three small ad spaces underneath the first post of every forum and those are certainly much better located in my opinion and more tolerable to deal with than the side ad space. That looks like it would work much better and be less obtrusive from a reader's perspective and still provide a good source of ad revenue for Bladeforums.
 
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