New Advertisements on the Site

Lowlight

Lowlight

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Minuteman
    • Apr 12, 2001
    35,945
    42,140
    Base of the Rockies
    www.snipershide.com
    #1
    Okay before this gets out of hand, the site was not hacked and the ads are a function of the business, which is Sniper's Hide LLC.

    This site started in 2000 and since that time has been completely free to its members, but has continually cost me time and money to operate. Recently thanks to the financial meltdown of the markets a large part of the business that helped sustain Sniper's Hide was lost almost completely. It happens, I get it, and thankfully I have other opportunities to role into personally. But that means the site has to be paid for.

    For the most part, the site only charged commercial vendors that wanted to post. That charge was way undervalued, in fact it barely paid for 1/4 of the year to operate this site, which to date runs on 3 servers and uses a large amount of bandwidth. Even as undervalued as the service fee was, it was like pulling teeth to get businesses to step up to commitment.

    Another option and venue that was open was the classified ad section, however the majority of users, especially those who used it regularly did not want to pay and frankly would not be able to cover the cost of the servers per year, let alone anything else.

    Well recently we started the Online Training Forum which was a subscription based service. This service did really well, but still only scratched a small portion of this site's membership and value.

    So, I decided that targeted ads were the answer and spent the last 3 months in meetings regarding this point. I understand the vocal minority that is only happy complaining, will throw a fit across the room. I get it, you hate change the fact the ads have not been 100% focused yet pisses you but, hey, you don't pay the bills and never had once stepped up to make any effort.

    So the ads are here, soon they will be more targeted towards this audience so there will be a transition period. it's all understood, but also understand this is a business and need to support itself.

    For those posting work the stuff to block the ads, I would appreciate you not posting them in the forum. All you're doing is taking money away from this site to operate.

    Thanks,
     
    #3
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    CKA (shaking my head) it's no wonder you're pink.

    Frank, ads are obviously better than shutting the site down and I agree that paid sites don't work, people think they want a pay site and then when the time to ask for money comes the members suddenly disappear.

    I think it was just the shock and awe of it all. It would have been nice to get a heads up that some changes were coming, but hey it's a free site, what do we expect. It was just so nice to have a place to come that didn't load slow, have lots of blinking crap everywhere and the like.....it was just a shock when it happened.

    All that being said, I'm pretty sure we'll all still come here and we'll only complain for a little while
    smile.gif


    Thanks
    J
     
    #4
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just started an exciting new career in VCR repair! </div></div>
    The Beta models, I hope!
     
    #10
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    i thought that, but i didnt have the sack to bring it up. i have appreciated this site as long as i have been on it and still will. shit aint cheap anymore, i can ask LL to keep doing this on his dime for me. i would be willing to pay for a non ad site, but i do understand why he chose to do so. also it may generate enough extra funds to make some cool improvments. who knows.
     
    #11
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    I'm sorry man now I have to look at on line college courses ,
    airsoft training.


    This is retarded .

    AR15 also had to do this but did not do it with random sites from google.
     
    #12
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jimmykm21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm sorry man now I have to look at on line college courses ,
    airsoft training.


    This is retarded .

    AR15 also had to do this but did not do it with random sites from google. </div></div>



    did you even read lowlight's post?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
    So the ads are here, soon they will be more targeted towards this audience so there will be a transition period. </div></div>
     
    #13
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jimmykm21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm sorry man now I have to look at on line college courses ,
    airsoft training.


    This is retarded .

    AR15 also had to do this but did not do it with random sites from google. </div></div>

    guess you missed this part

    So the ads are here, soon they will be more targeted towards this audience so there will be a transition period. it's all understood, but also understand this is a business and need to support itself.
     
    #14
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    The cost of this sight can not be cheap. I relate this to a bar, a byob bar. Sure the drinks are free, but the establishment is not. LL will do what he needs to do, and this sight is such a great place to gain knowledge, meet cool guys, and see the latest and greatest.

    It was a rude awakeing to see it this morning, but it is what it is, and if this is what it needs to look like to stick around, and make it worth while for LL to keep in existence, so be it. It is what is it.

    Frank deserves to have this not cost him, and frankly, deserves to profit from such an excellant forum. More power to you.

    I understand that all complaints are being handled through CKA?...so please PM him with all your complaints.
     
    #19
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    Frank, as a small business owner I completely understand the need for the advertising support to keep the site free and open to us all. Thanks for all you have done over the past 8 plus years to do so.

    Note to all, as you frequent the advertisers on this site, please be sure to mention you saw them on the Hide! regards, Dale.
     
    #21
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    Well again, I take no issue with the ads. I understand the need for them and their presence doesn't bother me in the least. The only thing that does bother me is the banner on the left, which is making it a pain for me to browse the site with my antiquated square monitor. If I had one of those swanky new widescreens I wouldn't care about that one either.
     
    #22
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dogtown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My only problem with the ads is they take up SO much space. </div></div>

    +1. Would be great if they were on top or bottom so as not to narrow the forum pages so much.
     
    #24
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I still think there should be an option to pay for membership and not have the ads for paid members.

    just my .02c </div></div>

    I understand the need to do the ads. This site is a great wealth of information and should not be free. I too would pay a fee for ad free browsing, as I do on other sites that I regular and am interested in the subjects.
     
    #25
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    I can see putting ads on the top/side/bottom of the pages, but I've yet to run across a site that forces ads into every threat itself.

    If it has to be done so be it, but man it's fricking annoying to have them inserted as posts in threads, I'd happily pay a yearly fee to get rid of them, but I understand the problem making a pay per use site, membership would TANK, current members might stay but you'd get no new members.
     
    #26
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ToddM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can see putting ads on the top/side/bottom of the pages, but I've yet to run across a site that forces ads into every threat itself.

    If it has to be done so be it, but man it's fricking annoying to have them inserted as posts in threads, I'd happily pay a yearly fee to get rid of them, but I understand the problem making a pay per use site, membership would TANK, current members might stay but you'd get no new members. </div></div>

    other sites i am on have a non-required membership. the membership gets you an ad-free forum. it also allows you a better/faster search. i could see having to be a paying member to post for sale ads in the classifieds also. if you don't want to be a paying member, you can deal with the ads. i have no idea how complicated that would be but i do know other sites do it.
     
    #30
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Free Front Sight DVD and Brochure being mailed to me right now! </div></div>

    CKA dont forget your discounted Mexican Viagra!
     
    #31
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    Frank,

    Dump the ads, diaper crowd, those that want to sell only, an fluff membership.
    Charge a Bone per member that can be paid yearly, via something other than paypal.

     
    #32
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    Would it be possible to offer a annual membership option that would eliminate the ads? That way people who wouldn't pay can deal with that ads and those that would rather pay $XX a year or something could have ad free viewing?

    Best of both worlds, those that want to pay can and get the benefit, and those that won't pay can deal with the ads and everyone still supports the site.


     
    #33
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    Does the new layout with the ads have anything to do with why I keep getting logged out?
    Anytime I leave a post I hae to sign back in. Just started happening today....just curious if anyone else is experiencing this problem.
     
    #34
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    I have been having this same problem for the last 10 days at least. Getting more frequent. Later evenings not as bad. Read about 2 forums then eveything freezes and I have to drop out and relog back in. This is the only site I have a problem with.

    Now with all this NEW FUCKING GARBAGE, yeah, I know the site was free and I know I PAID NOTHING but don't expect me to like this horseshit because of it!!!!! Being on dialup sucked ass before now with all this CLUSTER FUCK GARBAGE it is twice as slow and getting froze up twice as fast today. I know nobody cares, not even NOBODY. Guess I need to do something different with my time!!!!!

    There no pussy footing around about how great the NEW look is. If I get booted the lower number of viewers might cost a buck less in sponsorship. First time I have ever bitched so let me have it.
     
    #35
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SDWhirlwind</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been having this same problem for the last 10 days at least. Getting more frequent. Later evenings not as bad. Read about 2 forums then eveything freezes and I have to drop out and relog back in. This is the only site I have a problem with.

    Now with all this NEW FUCKING GARBAGE, yeah, I know the site was free and I know I PAID NOTHING but don't expect me to like this horseshit because of it!!!!! Being on dialup sucked ass before now with all this CLUSTER FUCK GARBAGE it is twice as slow and getting froze up twice as fast today. I know nobody cares, not even NOBODY. Guess I need to do something different with my time!!!!!

    There no pussy footing around about how great the NEW look is. If I get booted the lower number of viewers might cost a buck less in sponsorship. First time I have ever bitched so let me have it. </div></div>

    If it makes you feel better I have cable internet and recently upgraded my memory. The site has not slowed a bit here in Texas. It is 72 right now. I'm going to go smoke a cigar and have some bourbon.
     
    #37
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    Many of us hollered about girls in bikinis and or whatever on the right side of the screen - - - -

    no problem we were able to edit our profile or whatever we did but we could turn off all the junk on the right side of the screen - - - - -

    how do we turn off the junk on the left side of the screen ??? LOWLIGHT - - would you please make it possible for us to block the ads from appearing on the left ????

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

    for what its worth-- my computer is a Dell Mini which starts out with a 8 wide inch screen - - - bikini babes on the right and the "hot mama" on the left leaves me with about a 4 1/2 inch viewing area of the stuff I come here to read !!!! Blocking the Right side bikini babes leaves me about 6 inches of viewing area to read the already small print in the posts and forums.

    And yes loading the ads and updating or changing ads as I pull up different posts does seem to slow things up for me.
     
    #38
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    You can always just turn off the right side column to widen the center screen, as far as membership, please, it would never happen on the scale necessary and is not going to happen...

    Love the fair weather bullshit though, it doesn't even begin to inconvenience anyone yet, and still you'd think the world was ending.

    Appreciate all the ADVICE, it's really, really helpful, and would do wonders I'm sure. I figure taking the advice would have me needing to sell off shit in 3 months as opposed to actually cashing a check. May sound crass, but frankly, I don't care.

    I weighed the options, and made my decision, so you might as well go complain to your wives and girlfriends about it as I think it would have about the same impact.
     
    #41
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    Sounds like its a done deal and there are no alternatives that are going to be offered. Your house, your rules. If that is the case please delete my account for me, was good while it lasted.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can always just turn off the right side column to widen the center screen, as far as membership, please, it would never happen on the scale necessary and is not going to happen...

    Love the fair weather bullshit though, it doesn't even begin to inconvenience anyone yet, and still you'd think the world was ending.

    Appreciate all the ADVICE, it's really, really helpful, and would do wonders I'm sure. I figure taking the advice would have me needing to sell off shit in 3 months as opposed to actually cashing a check. May sound crass, but frankly, I don't care.

    I weighed the options, and made my decision, so you might as well go complain to your wives and girlfriends about it as I think it would have about the same impact. </div></div>
     
    #42
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    Hate the Left side BS but, I will SUPPORT LL with anything he has to do to keep the site up and running. I was unaware that a site cost very much to keep going but, I am NOT a computer person by any stretch. Plus CKA is getting an education now and I found out I am a HOT MAMA from the quiz on mydailymoment.com
     
    #43
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OregonShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like its a done deal and there are no alternatives that are going to be offered. Your house, your rules. If that is the case please delete my account for me, was good while it lasted.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can always just turn off the right side column to widen the center screen, as far as membership, please, it would never happen on the scale necessary and is not going to happen...

    Love the fair weather bullshit though, it doesn't even begin to inconvenience anyone yet, and still you'd think the world was ending.

    Appreciate all the ADVICE, it's really, really helpful, and would do wonders I'm sure. I figure taking the advice would have me needing to sell off shit in 3 months as opposed to actually cashing a check. May sound crass, but frankly, I don't care.

    I weighed the options, and made my decision, so you might as well go complain to your wives and girlfriends about it as I think it would have about the same impact. </div></div></div></div>

    Cool, a Forum Suicide... although not a very imaginative one.

    I like them when you rant and rave and then tell the world to fuck off.

    PS, log off you pansy, I don't "delete" accounts, this way I can be sure to sell it... LOL
     
    #44
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    I actually think we need more.

    They suck, but bills have to be paid. I don't buy lottery tickets, but I am going to start buying one every week. If I win, I will donate enough money to get rid of the ads. The only catch is that they will be replaced with pictures of me, with guns, in semi nude poses. This should cut down on the bitching. Glad I could help Frank.

    Standby for lotto earnings.


     
    #47
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cool, a Forum Suicide... although not a very imaginative one.</div></div>

    The late William F. Buckley, Jr. collected notes and asides, many of them connected to his ownership/editorship of <span style="font-style: italic">National Review</span>, in a volume he entitled, <span style="font-style: italic">Cancel Your Own Goddam Subscription.</span>

    This is the best site there is for information about shooting precision rifles. Those who have a problem with the ads should <span style="font-weight: bold">stop reading it</span> - which will be their loss.
     
    #48
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    Cool, a Forum Suicide... although not a very imaginative one.

    I like them when you rant and rave and then tell the world to fuck off.

    PS, log off you pansy, I don't "delete" accounts, this way I can be sure to sell it... LOL [/quote]

    LMFAO! Thanks for all you do EL, I appreciate it.
     
    #49
    Re: New Advertisements on the Site

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">PS, log off you pansy, I don't "delete" accounts, this way I can be sure to sell it... LOL</div></div>

    You big meany! I'll get you for this. LOL

    logging off Mr. Sellout
     
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