New banner ad at the bottom, please read

[Scream And Fly]

Hi All,

It has always been my rule that I would always explain any changes to the site, and then rely on you all for how best to guide changes. And so, I wanted to bring something to the attention of all in the forums, and welcome your feedback.

As I have also promised, I would never allow any advertising on the site to interfere with your use of our site here. I say our, because it’s a place that we all own and build.

With this all said, some of you might have noticed a new banner that will sometimes appear at the bottom of the page. This site relies on Google advertising as well as support from you all as a steady source of funding to pay for our server costs. The new banner that appears on the bottom is part of a temporary experiment by Google, and I can terminate it at any time.

For two years now, the S&F site has seen its highest traffic to date, which is a great thing. The downside is that website ad blockers are becoming more and more common, and the use of those prevents the Google banners from displaying, which in turn denies the site income. With the increased site traffic, server and bandwidth costs have also risen exponentially with that increase site traffic.

I would always ask, if possible, to consider whitelisting this site if you’re using an ad blocker, but that is of course entirely up to you. It means more to me that the site is enjoyable to you, so if using an ad blocker accomplishes that, then by all means that is fine.

The banner at the bottom is, as I mentioned, an experiment for a very limited time. It was suggested by Google as a possible means of helping to offset those losses in revenue.

So if this banner at the bottom becomes a nuisance in any way, please let me know. As it stands, the banner will be terminated very soon, and if it becomes an issue for anybody, I want to know so I can take steps immediately.

Thank you all, and thank you so very much for your incredible and generous support for me and S&F over the years.

Greg

[Frank Molé]

it comes all the time and blocks quarter of the page....gotta pay the bills

[CUDA]

Sucks

[tnelsmn]

It isn't nearly as bad as many other sites. The fact that it stays on the bottom and doesn't come to the middle of the screen or become embedded in forum posts, it's not that big of deal. If it helps keep the lights on, I can deal with it and click the little downsize button.

Thanks for all you do here, Greg.

[XstreamVking]

I have no issue with it. If it provides income keep it. No ad blockers on my puter.

[keith scotton]

Would Like it to go AWAY. I am tired of being bombared by GOOGLE at work and home on the phone and on the computer. I have asked them to quit calling at work for adds and web site info for there site witch I have given them more than once. Sometime 4 or more calls a day. IT JUST SUCKS THEY WON'T leave you alone.
Enjoy Life Keith

[dream4ta]

As someone who has attempted to run small forums and keep everyone happy and understands the expense and what not behind it and is also a long time member and very active reader of this site even if I never post anything to it I think the only people that should have a say in the advertising done on this forum are the supporting members. I am not one so I will deal with any adds you see fit! You run one of the best sites on the internet and you do it well! Thank you Greg!

[Dave Strong]

Not a big deal just click on the arrow on the tab on the left and it goes away. Never mind it comes back as soon as you change page.

Dave

[mr fun]

got annoyed at first, makes the screen that much smaller. understand the monetary aspect. I really appreciate what you do here, so if this necessary so be it . Fun Out :cool:

[John S]

Not a big deal just click on the arrow on the tab on the left and it goes away. Never mind it comes back as soon as you change page.

Dave

Still not a big deal. Finding toilet paper in a porta potty at work is more annoying than the banner in my day. :D I swear guys eat the stuff or take it home. I do think that it (all ads) should be removed for members that pay in. That's how the other sites I'm a part of do it. My 2 cents.

[mr fun]

Starting to be really annoying at this point, have to make an additional 4 clicks to get to go away only to have it reappear ,,, my 2 cents

[Onetime]

Have found that if you enlarge the screen a little, which is a big help for old eyes, it goes away. The enlargement blocks the pop up on the bottom of the screen. Works on tablets, don’t know about pc’s.

[Greg G]

]Hi All,

It has always been my rule that I would always explain any changes to the site, and then rely on you all for how best to guide changes. And so, I wanted to bring something to the attention of all in the forums, and welcome your feedback.

As I have also promised, I would never allow any advertising on the site to interfere with your use of our site here. I say our, because it’s a place that we all own and build.

With this all said, some of you might have noticed a new banner that will sometimes appear at the bottom of the page. This site relies on Google advertising as well as support from you all as a steady source of funding to pay for our server costs. The new banner that appears on the bottom is part of a temporary experiment by Google, and I can terminate it at any time.

For two years now, the S&F site has seen its highest traffic to date, which is a great thing. The downside is that website ad blockers are becoming more and more common, and the use of those prevents the Google banners from displaying, which in turn denies the site income. With the increased site traffic, server and bandwidth costs have also risen exponentially with that increase site traffic.

I would always ask, if possible, to consider whitelisting this site if you’re using an ad blocker, but that is of course entirely up to you. It means more to me that the site is enjoyable to you, so if using an ad blocker accomplishes that, then by all means that is fine.

The banner at the bottom is, as I mentioned, an experiment for a very limited time. It was suggested by Google as a possible means of helping to offset those losses in revenue.

So if this banner at the bottom becomes a nuisance in any way, please let me know. As it stands, the banner will be terminated very soon, and if it becomes an issue for anybody, I want to know so I can take steps immediately.

Thank you all, and thank you so very much for your incredible and generous support for me and S&F over the years.

Greg[/SIZE]



How has the site had the highest traffic to date over the last two years since it started 20 years ago? There is a noticeable decrease in boating content.

[rgsauger]

This is a pretty entertaining and very informative group. A couple of people show their hind end every now and then but that’s true in life also. All in all, very respectful and informative and entertaining. Personally, I get a lot out of it. It’s also cool to seeing new guys jump on that have two or three posts looking for help and 20 people reach out to give them a hand. That’s what this whole thing is all about.

[rgsauger]

I still say we need T-Rex and Mr Demeanor back!

[Scream And Fly]

How has the site had the highest traffic to date over the last two years since it started 20 years ago? There is a noticeable decrease in boating content.

Remember that site traffic includes people that view the site, but don't post. So, site traffic as reported by Google Analytics is not tied to actual post frequency, nor does it distinguish between registered viewers of the site and non-registered viewers. The classifieds area has also been more active than it has been in a few years. With all of that said, I really do welcome any and all feedback and ideas on the site.

When you say there's a decrease in boating content, are you referring to the non-boating areas of the site, or just the boating sections? The General Discussion, Tech Discussion, and other boating sections have been extremely active.