Web Hosting Talk : Advertising Forums : Community Reviews : Web Site Reviews : Take a look, what do you think?

[linux-tech]

For the past couple of weeks, I've been working on tvonthebrain.com, design, features. What do YOU think, how can it be made more attractive for individuals?

[greg2007]

At a quick glance the colours and layout look smart.
Although the top images around the SEARCH are broken in my browser:
Firefox 3.0.10 in Ubuntu 8.10

It's something to do with the table layout you have. (CSS divs are so much better for this IMO)

[XSV]

I get the same issue in FF 3.0.10 and Safari 4 on a MAC.

[rankris]

good design!

[linux-tech]

I'm aware of the design issues for mac/Linux users. Realistically, that's a rendering thing that I am trying to get my head around but just can't. The thing looks beautiful in FF3 and IE8 on Windows, so I'm just stumped why it's not working as well on Linux/Macs, though I know it's got to be some sort of a rendering issue.

The design itself I'm not as worried about, as I didn't do it. I'm more focused on the navigation and usability of the site, as there's a LOT of content there (hence the second navbar), and I'm not sure that everyone's going to grab onto it right away.

[Dan_EZPZ]

We have detected that you are using an advertisement blocker, which violates the terms of this site. In order to continue browsing this website, you must allow this site to display advertisements, or purchase a VIP Subscription which will allow you to browse completely ad free.

While we apologize for the inconvenience of showing ads, they are a necessary factor in running a free site such as this. Many hours go into development, many hours to into unique content for this site, and this is all done at no cost to you, the user. We can not allow individuals to block advertisements at all

Fail...........

[TrueHacker]

Looks very clean. I may try using other colors besides that blue just for a little variety.

[linux-tech]

Originally Posted by Dan_EZPZ

Fail...........

If you're blocking ads, then don't even bother. Thieves aren't welcome

[Dan_EZPZ]

What have I 'stolen'?

Lots of people use ad blockers - by doing that you're going to lose a lot of visitors.. who would purchase a "VIP" subscription without even knowing what the site's about?

[greg2007]

Originally Posted by linux-tech

If you're blocking ads, then don't even bother. Thieves aren't welcome

That's a really bad attitude to have.
Nothing has been "stolen" by not clicking ads or initiating an impression ad, you just haven't "gained" anything.

Originally Posted by linux-tech

The design itself I'm not as worried about, as I didn't do it.

SO you don't want design feedback, so Linux/Mac users are out.
You don't allow people with ad blockers.

Anyone else you want to single out? Getting visitors is hard enough without making it difficult for people to even see the site, let alone not allowing those who don;t see ads.
You think those people will tell their friends or link to your site when they get a message basically saying "If you can't click or see ads I don't want you here"?

It's not the way to go about getting popular that's for sure.

Good luck.

[linux-tech]

Originally Posted by greg2007

That's a really bad attitude to have.
Nothing has been "stolen" by not clicking ads or initiating an impression ad, you just haven't "gained" anything.

A LOT of time and work has gone into that forum, bandwidth is taken by those wanting to not pay the price for viewing a website, as is content. Will those (few) individuals make a contribution to the forum? Not too likely, as they can't even be bothered to pay the price for the content itself. You wouldn't walk into a store and walk out with something without paying for it would you? Well, this is the same concept. You go to a website, you pay the price. If you don't want to, hey, that's fine, but don't expect to be treated like anything but the thief you are.

Originally Posted by greg2007

SO you don't want design feedback, so Linux/Mac users are out.

I'm not solely after design feedback, no. As far as Linux/Mac users, I'm STILL looking into the issue itself, the possibility of switching to another theme hasn't been ruled out, it's going to take some time and work though.

[Dan_EZPZ]

I block ads here at WHT but I pay for premium membership and sticky threads in the advert forums so your statement about not wanting to pay towards the site is utter rubbish.

[linux-tech]

Originally Posted by Dan_EZPZ

I block ads here at WHT but I pay for premium membership and sticky threads in the advert forums

That's well and good, but that still doesn't mean you pay the cost of viewing the website. You get other benefits of those, none of which entitle you to ad free viewing.

Originally Posted by Dan_EZPZ

your statement about not wanting to pay towards the site is utter rubbish.

Actually it's not at all.
When you walk into a store, can you just pocket a pack of smokes, a beer, or whatever you like and walk out? Of course not. You must first pay for them.

When you view a website, a publicly available, free website, such as this forum, or even WHT, there is a cost associated with viewing that website, it's advertisement viewing. Now, just because you don't want to pay that cost doesn't give you the right to take content without paying, nor does it give you the right to steal from that website.

I've disabled the blocker temporarily, it was just something I was testing out anyways. I doubt it being disabled will have a thing to do with the actual forum participation or performance, but we'll see.

Theft is still theft. You can hide behind your "I don't want to see ads" argument all you like, but you don't have the right to steal a site's bandwidth without paying for it in the manner that they require.

[greg2007]

Originally Posted by linux-tech

A LOT of time and work has gone into that forum, bandwidth is taken by those wanting to not pay the price for viewing a website, as is content.

Welcome to the internet mate.
90% of websites make no money from simply people being there, they have to have a subscription, paid service, donation etc etc.

Wanting money from everyone from the start is nonsense, and what I and others have said is REALLY good advice. Choose to ignore it if you wish, I really DO feel your pain with the costs of running a site/forum/blog etc.

But singling out certain people is a bad thing. You can't expect popularity from blocking those who have ad blockers and giving nothing to those who don't have VIP.
Links from people who like your service are how you get popular. Pleasing as many people as possible is the key, eliminate a bunch of them from the very start is going to be negative on the site's popularity.

Originally Posted by linux-tech

Will those (few) individuals make a contribution to the forum?

The normal way is that a "few" members/visitors from a LOT of members/visitors pay for something. That is the norm for sites and forums, and the more people you have the more chance of a "few" paying, and more chance of that "few" being a larger number.

Less visitors, less hits, less people linking to you and telling others about you gives you an even BIGGER headache of running costs as you get nothing at all.
AS with any website/forum/blog etc.

Originally Posted by linux-tech

When you walk into a store, can you just pocket a pack of smokes, a beer, or whatever you like and walk out? Of course not. You must first pay for them.

Physical stores permit "browsing/window shopping", they don't expect you to buy something. Sure an unfriendly one will, but an unfriendly store or website/forum means no-one will come back, link to you or tell anyone about it.

I want to come to your site or forum and "browse" what you have to offer, get some stuff, chat to some people or whatever, and THEN if the VIP or premium or subscription gives me something I want I pay for it.
If I get it rammed down my throat from the start I leave and don't even join. As then it appears you are nothing more than a greedy person trying various ways to MAKE me pay for something.
That's neither friendly-like or allowing me to visit with ease and no pressure.

Originally Posted by linux-tech

they can't even be bothered to pay the price for the content itself.

What is all this you seem to be so fired up about of people "paying for your content"? You make the site and it's publicly available. I don't have to pay a dam thing when I come to your site. If you want payments for me even coming to the homepage, make me pay before I see anything (of course be ready for having 1 member in 10 years of service) but don't tell me I'm STEALING by simply visiting your site.

have you paid anything to webhostingtalk to advertise your site here? Or to get feedback? Are you STEALING their content and services by not doing so? Of course not, that's preposterous.

Originally Posted by linux-tech

Theft is still theft. You can hide behind your "I don't want to see ads" argument all you like, but you don't have the right to steal a site's bandwidth without paying for it in the manner that they require.

Is this really what you are saying?
The dam site is there for me to go to. YOU put the site up live and YOU haven't stopped me from going there. If you don't want me to come to your site password protect it.
How the hell can you make a publicly available website and then claim someone STEALS THE CONTENT as they don't click ads?


You need to really take in some of the advice here and what people have said, and alter your attitude. Or you will be very disappointed in the internet world. Very few sites make people rich, very few sites make any money at all.
Hell, if after 6 months you start to break even you have done well.


Again, good luck - sincerely and without sarcasm!

[MonteCarloHosting]

Glad to see WHT is as it was when I last was an active member a few years ago - A simple review about a site (Which, is a very, very nice design! Just needs a bit of work on the header images, as they are out of whack on a Mac/Firefox combo) has turned into a flamewar about advertising, and the blocking thereof...



-Christian