This topic has surely been discussed before, but I've been thinking about it a lot lately.

For you newcomers, WHT was previously hosted by Matt, an individual. Popularity came very quick to WHT and money was needed to support the forums and keep them alive, so Matt sold the banner spot up top to various companies and got a host to sponsor a server for him. A few months ago, RackShack (link at very bottom of page) bought WHT from Matt (did anyone ever find out the final price?), a very controversial sale (does anyone know if anyone actually has stayed away from the forums since?). I was against it at the time (though my feelings have changed only slightly.

Matt was never a host himself, though I hear he is one now (anyone know the company name?), so the forums were not biased (the mods aren't hosts either). But now that RackShack, a commercial company owns WHT, the "bias" line has been somewhat skewed. Now I know WHT sucks up a lot of bandwidth, but I also think that because it is owned by a commercial company, the ads (at least the huge banner up top and the ubersmith ad at the bottom) should be removed. They are no longer needed since RackShack/EV1.net should be able to financially support WHT. I think WHT should return to the community it once was - without large intrusive ads.

Hence, I've made a poll that asks a simple question to get the public's view and opinions - hopefully one of the mods will see my light and make it sticky :rolleyes:

Should RackShack remove ads from WHT? Please vote and post your comments below.

I don't mind the ads. RackShack can probably afford to host WHT without the ads, but they did pay cash to buy the site, the hardware isn't free, and nor is the bandwidth.

Also, I haven't really noticed much change around here. HeadSurfer hasn't censored people talking crap about them, he's kept this fairly neutral. Heck, I've never seen a RackShack.Net ad on here.

But, you do have a valid point.

Originally posted by JTY
I don't mind the ads. RackShack can probably afford to host WHT without the ads, but they did pay cash to buy the site, the hardware isn't free, and nor is the bandwidth.

Also, I haven't really noticed much change around here. HeadSurfer hasn't censored people talking crap about them, he's kept this fairly neutral. Heck, I've never seen a RackShack.Net ad on here.

But, you do have a valid point. the

Thanks for your comments, you are right RS did not make a big impression on WHT, other than the Hosted By link at the bottom (hardly noticable), but I'm sure they can make WHT a registered NFP org and take a tax write off :rolleyes:

Actually, I have absolutely no problem with the ads. They aren't distracting, they are just there. I understand that ads are necessary, whether it be for financial gain or for simply advertising purposes, and I don't find them annoying on webpages - unless, they are the flash ones that jump around the screen, or the ones that when you hover your mouse over them and huge ad drops down (I see them often on tvguide.com), or the ones with music :) The ads on WHT are just company logos and some text, I don't see a problem with them being there. Who cares if RackShack makes money off of it? Financially successful as they may be, it's their right to do it and they can if they wish. They also help promote and bring customers to good companies, I don't see what the problem is.

Edit: Actually, to be honest, I'm glad that there have been more banner ads lately. For awhile it was just the same couple of ads rotating, and now I'm seeing a lot more.

The ads do not bother me either - just some extra money for the owner :stickout

thank you for your comments again.

the ads are not bothering me either, but i feel that if WHT is own by a commercial company, they shouldn't have to have advertisers...

I don't mind them... I would really like it if we had some of the ads that are on hostsearch.com ;)

I've got no problem with ads on WHT, either. Infact, I like seeing them. It gives me something extra to look at, and it's always interesting to see new advertisements. And it's not like the advertisements are for Britney Spears, Free Celluar Phones, or any of that crap. :D

Originally posted by Synthetic
And it's not like the advertisements are for Britney Spears, Free Celluar Phones, or any of that crap. :D

i think that's my problem.....maybe a britney flash animation with audio will change my mind :D

I don't have a problem at all with the ads.
Are you saying, because Matt didn't have a hosting interest at the time that ads were okay? But, because RS has an interest; they're not?
I really don't understand that logic.
RS promotes this site a lot. They deserve to recoup their costs. I don't think they should have to be expected to burdon the costs.
I think this has been talked about to death before and really don't see the point.

Yeah, I forgot about the ads that RS does for WHT. Those are very expensive... way more than most hosts would spend.

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
Are you saying, because Matt didn't have a hosting interest at the time that ads were okay? But, because RS has an interest; they're not?


Not at all, just saying that RS is a commercial company whereas Matt was a private individual.

Even if Matt was still the owner, I myself would make a private donation (meaning giving money in exchange for a thanks, not a banner position) to help with the costs - and still push for a WHT at least without the large banner.

Originally posted by akashd
Matt was never a host himself, though I hear he is one now (anyone know the company name

Spenix (http://www.spenix.com/)

Originally posted by appletreats


Spenix (http://www.spenix.com/)


thanks, he's got a great design there (but that's a whole different thread ;) )

I wonder this: Matt's starting his own hosting company; if he still owned WebHostingTalk would anyone object to him placing ads for his company here? That is, how much of this is "personal" because RS is a big, successful company and a formidable competitor?

Anyway, I voted choice "C" even though it's not really accurate: I do understand ("see") your point, I just don't agree with it.

if he still owned WebHostingTalk would anyone object to him placing ads for his company here?

Yes I definitely would - and as I said earlier, if Matt had still owned WHT now, I would probably post a similar poll (with slightly different choices of course).

Those of you who said, "RS has the right to regain its lost expenses." Totally see your point and agree with you to a certain extent. I'm sure that many of you long-timers would have no problem donating cash for the benefit of WHT. I know I would. How they earn their money back is what I disagree with.

The stickies in the ad forums are ok in my book, so long as they only put 2-3 max per forum. The huge ad is a little over the edge...maybe its time of a little change?

I don't see a problem with Rackshack recouping costs or (God forbid) even making a couple bucks running WHT. The ads here are well done, well targeted, and well screened. You don't see POWWEB advertising it's $7.77 thing here.

I guess I just don't understand that line of thinking. What makes it so terrible that a larger company makes money? I guess I'm a hopeless capitalist, but I say if they can make money without ruining the community, more power to em.

1) You're only upset because you want a free place to advertise. Period.

2) So how much did RackShack pay for the site?

Originally posted by RandyL712
1) You're only upset because you want a free place to advertise. Period.


Actually no, while free would be nice (who wouldn't want it), that is not why I posted this. In fact, I probably would advertise here (hey if the oppurtunity is there, take it), but I don't because a) I don't think I'm ready for another splurge in sales from my other campaigns, and b) I don't think I have enough money to get a good ROI (as compared to my local advertising)

I've spent well over $2500 in ads this month alone, I have no problem spending money on advertising and what-not, so don't try to assume or make it look like I want something for free.

Originally posted by akashd
. . . . . .I probably would advertise here (hey if the oppurtunity is there, take it), but I don't because a) I don't think I'm ready for another splurge in sales from my other campaigns, and b) I don't think I have enough money to get a good ROI (as compared to my local advertising). . . . . Uh-Oh. :cartman:

You can't stand the ads, but you would advertise if you could afford it and could handle the extra clients you would gain. :eek:




:pimp: So; what's this thread about, really?

And he says earlier that he doesn't think RS has clouded any of the conversations with their bias. If it ain't broke...

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
Uh-Oh. :cartman:

You can't stand the ads, but you would advertise if you could afford it and could handle the extra clients you would gain. :eek:




:pimp: So; what's this thread about, really?

first off........is anyone else experiencing the same s l o w n e s s that I am when trying to access WHT?????

second, i never said i can't stand the ads, im actually not terribly bothered by them, just feel that if RS can support it without the ads, they should - I mainly posted this to see other peoples opinions on the matter.

yes maybe i am being a little hypocrtical, but even if i had the funds or the ability to handle another splurge, i probably wouldn't advertise here first, from what I see now, there are more and more people that want everything for a nickel - i think i would get a better targeted market elsewhere. WHT would probably be the last place I'd advertise at, but I would still do it.

So how much did WHT sell for anyway?

How much was the publically stated asking price before the sale, or was there one?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Me too, I want to know.

I dont really mind the ads a few of them are kind of on the large site but hey it does not cost me anything to use the forums so why should I complain. In this day and age I am sorry to say but how many places is there that you can go without looking at an ad on the site.. I hear WHT sold for about 50k (again that what I heard nothing confirmed) I mean if I dumped that much into something I would want to make atleast what I put in.. I am glad they cut them down in size a little finally and other that that I have to say I was a little skeptical at first also when RS bought WHT but they pretty much kept up on there word about everything so I dont have any complaints..

What I really bother me is it the favoritism with some host advertising here, I reported at least 4 threads about an advertiser, which were deleted, but the user wasent banned.
I saw a lot less of patience with non-advertiser host, who were banned for less things like that, but I think that I'm going off-topic :)

About the The ads, I have no problem with them, well, when I access from my home/office computer with a 17''/19'' monitor, but when I access with my laptop using 800x600, the ad cover almost half page.

I'm okay with it the way it is. RackShack owns the board themselves and it's theirs to do as they wish with it. And if they can recoup the costs with (by Internet standards) relatively unobtrusive advertising, that's all good with me.

And if anyone really had issues with the bias that may be posed by a web host owning a board about web hosting, they wouldn't post here. (I don't mean to come across as being harsh but it's just the way I see things.)

OK... Just the facts..

RS/EV1 Owns WHT...
--- They can do what they wish with the site. They could host porn made with Chia pets if they wanted. They essentially bought the user base IMO, as with all boards the users are the most valuable part.

Ads
--- I personally perfer the current WHT w/ Ads then Chia porn. They probably factored in the revenue generated through the ads and placed ads (in forum) into the price that they paid for it. I know I would. If I had to pay $600/month on the loan and I knew I could generate $700/month in ads I'd buy it in a heartbeat (Made up numbers for the sake of disucssion)

The $$$ paid
---- EV1/RS is not a public company (I'm 80% sure) therefore they do not need to disclose their financial transactions. Sure, it'd be fun to know but, I doubt it'll happen. They more than likely have a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) on the sale so I wouldn't bother annoying Matt or HeadSurfer with the question. You don't have a legal right to know and it doesn't bother me.

Mods and Hosting
---- There are some Mod's here that DO own their own hosting companies. They never talk about it and thats fine w/ me. It's their business they can do with it what they wish as well.


Conclusion

The status quo is fine with me. I personally think RS/EV1 made a good purchase. The advertising base here is very marketable (wouldn't that be a reason you would buy WHT?) and very good for demographically based ads. Bravo for their purchase and I would like to see them continue running it in the same fashion (Only if they like to of course)

If they change WHT in a fashion I disliked, you know what I would do? I'd go somewhere else. WHT doesn't have a monopoly on this discussion (although clearly the best currently) and there are readily available substitues. I'd have to give up my glorious post count but, I'd do it if WHT became unbearable.

I like the ads as well.

Since they are targeted I find them quite relevent.

In fact, sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night just to refresh through the ads at WHT and it's the first thing I check in the morning.

Well, maybe not, but I say keep the ads.

Heh, don't mean to be rude but I think that RackShack should sell WHT :rolleyes:

If I'm not mistaken, RS charges around a grand/month for the top ad, and they currently have 9 (unless I missed some) paid ads running. In addition, they have their sticky posts. I did see a full-page ad in Hosting Tech, and I'm sure they spend month other places as well.
I think they are definitely making their money, but I don't see a problem at all with it. They paid for the site, and they are doing a lot to promote it. Also, they are allowing web hosts to advertise their services which may bring them more business. Anyone in business should see this as a positive thing, as its creating an effective place to advertise. Whats wrong with that?

Well I really dont see this ad problem as much of a issue. This is Rackshack forum they can do what they wish. There are many other forums outside wht if you do not like it. I also do not see the rackshack takeover as that controversial at this point. WHT has not changed that much. On top of that as much as many people may not want to see this, this is a business as well. Though you may not want to see that, a forum makes money off every time you post and every time you click. The return to the advertisers is increased revenue and corp branding.

I have talked to many not just here but else where and they have generated enough leads and or sales from these forums that they want to advertise.

Keep the ads and keep it as is. Also it should not matter what Shack paid for this, its none of our business.

The ads dont bother me at all its not like they are annoying popups, why would rs remove the ads, if the ads cover at least the server costs and even a little profit then there is no reason on earth why rs or any other successful business would remove them.

This is an old thread, why it was brought back to life to ask, "How much did the forum go for?" is beyond me. If you owned a site, would you really appreicate people harping on you about how you run it?

Very little has changed ad wise.

Originally posted by Jedito
What I really bother me is it the favoritism with some host advertising here, I reported at least 4 threads about an advertiser, which were deleted, but the user wasent banned.
I saw a lot less of patience with non-advertiser host, who were banned for less things like that, but I think that I'm going off-topic :)
I have no idea what you're talking about, but feel free to PM me to discuss it. I honestly don't pay much attention to who advertises on the site (as it isn't my dept.), so anything that was removed was removed because it deserved to be moved. If they are banned, it is because they deserve to be banned.

Anyhow, PM me to discuss it if you like.

note that i started this thread at a time when the ads were a little bigger and stickies were 2-3 in a forum..

i still think that if RS is going to own and make money off of WHT from their high ad prices then at least one of the following should happen:

1)kill the big banner
2)kill the sticky ads
3)pay the mods for their hard work...


i've requested chicken to close this thread as it was brought up to ask an unrelated question...there are a couple threads in the suggestions forum hwere you can discuss the topic, or start a new one ;)

Originally posted by akash
i've requested chicken to close this thread as it was brought up to ask an unrelated question...there are a couple threads in the suggestions forum hwere you can discuss the topic, or start a new one ;)
Done.