Animated sigs

[geoffw]

We do NOT allow animated images in signatures or in avatars. We feel that while cute and amusing, this can be annoying and distracting to the real purpose of the posts.Sim',

While I respect the right of the people who run this forum to advertise as they wish, I feel that the advertisement for Jan's workshops contravene the rules as laid down for everyone else, as quoted.

In particular, a picture which is animated as busily as the one in the forum may draw attention to people who participate in the forum from their workplace (not that I'm one of them).

Can I suggest either:
.An animated gif with a MUCH longer interval
.A non-animated gif which goes across the page
or (preferably)
.A text hyperlink

Thanks

Geoff

(aka wet blanket :D )

[Sim]

You can suggest all you like. Jan wanted that - so that's what we got !

So go stick your head back under that wet blanket, geoffw :p

[craigc]

"In particular, a picture which is animated as busily as the one in the forum may draw attention to people who participate in the forum from their workplace (not that I'm one of them).

<tongue in cheek>Ok I'll fess up work is my ISP...... 70% of my traffic...... that's life in '03 , yeah ? </tongue in cheek>
craig

[Ruby]

Well I for one was very happy to see the banner ad appear. I think it’s about time that Jan and Ian started using the forum to advertise their workshops. Considering what they put into hosting this forum for us!!

Many people were totally unaware that the workshops were on, and for such a worthwhile and cost effect day it would be a shame for forumites to miss out because they didn’t know about the events. It will no doubt rival Steve’s structure courses for value for money! I know I’ll be there :)


Ruby

[Mike]

If using Internet Explorer...[list=1]
Open View or Tools menu
Click Internet Options...
Select Advanced tab
Scroll down to Multimedia
Uncheck Play Animations
Click Apply and OK
Open View menu
Click Refresh
[/list=1]Result: Animation stops.

Mike

[Jas]

In later versions of IE, 'Internet Options' is under 'Tools', but the rest is the same.

Jas

[XBenX]

not everyone has the reqd admin axs to change settings though

but thats not the point, the hosting costs money which somersoft pays, they can advertise as they wish i spose

keep smiling :)

[Sim]

Actually the point is that this is NOT a democracy, and the sooner people come to grips with this fact, the better they will sleep at night (even if under wet blankets).

Consider the forum as being run as a benevolent dictatorship - it is Jan and Ian's forum (with me as their major-domo).

We make the rules and we reserve the right to break the rules.

Obviously a forum without a community is useless, so it is within our own interest to serve the community as best we can.

If you have a complaint that is valid, it will be considered and acted upon if possible.

However, we cannot keep everyone happy all of the time - so we make the decisions that we feel will serve the greater good - within the legal, technical and financial restrictions that we have to work within.

Finally, the "rules" geoffw mentions refer to sigs and avatars, and not to banner adverts on the forum - there is no conflict here.

I do not expect banner adverts to be a permanent feature of the forum - this is just something to raise people's awareness of the upcoming events.

[Kevmeister]

For what it's worth, I had to look to find the animated banner, so it can't be too distracting.

[geoffw]

I do not object at all to Ian and Jan advertising on the site- that's not at all what I was saying. They've contributed hugely to many, via books, software, and this forum. They should be using it more.

The rules say that animations can be "annoying and distracting". One that is so fast I do find distracting.

I don't mind animations myself- I'd prefer one a bit slower.

[Les]

Ruby said:-

"Well I for one was very happy to see the banner ad appear. I think it’s about time that Jan and Ian started using the forum to advertise their workshops. Considering what they put into hosting this forum for us!!"

You're not alone there, Rubes.....

and

"Many people were totally unaware that the workshops were on, and for such a worthwhile and cost effect day it would be a shame for forumites to miss out because they didn’t know about the events."

I don't know how others do it, but I login direct to the forum - thus, unless I am specifically looking at the other Somersoft pages, I too would miss out on new info posted "outside the forum".

Therefore, I applaud the banner ad (and any subsequent Somersoft ads that might appear) that help me to keep "in touch" with the world outside the forum.

Regards,

[XBenX]

very true les, i go direct to the forum and wouldnt of noticed it without the banner

[Mike]

I've got a couple of questions:

1. Why wasn't the seminar announced in the Meeting Point conference? This would have allowed people to ask Jan and Ian questions relevant to the content of the seminar. Is it still possible to post an enquiry in Meeting Point? Will Ian or Jan answer questions about the seminar?

2. Is the animated banner ad likely to encourage more spamming of this forum? We've tried to minimise spamming by creating conferences where some marketing is allowed on the basis that it may benefit the forum members. The conferences I refer to primarily are Meeting Point, Caveat Emptor and, occasionally, Information Resources. I would prefer any advertising to remain in the format of a post in one of the conferences designated for it to allow the possibility for feedback and discussion.

For Geoff W: Geoff, how did you slow down the animation?

Last question: Is it possible to prevent this forum from being accessed directly? I know this forum can be linked to from the Somersoft site but having direct access to the site means that the Somers' site is usually bypassed resulting in many members and guests not realizing who the forum host is and missing out on useful information presented on other Somersoft site pages.

I am guilty of rarely visiting the Somers' site because I login directly to this forum. I think the Somers are entitled to feel a little miffed about that given the financial cost of running this forum. At the moment, if you did login via the Somersoft Home Page you would see a larger version of the animated banner. In this way, every time you logged in via the home page you would be reminded about the seminar.

Regards, Mike

[geoffw]

Mike,

The animation was slowed by using Animation Shop, which comes with Paint Shop Pro (I have version 5, which was still free- version 7 is the latest, and that costs). It allows you to specify the time each frame is shown.

Posting in Meeting Point would still be a good idea. You're right- some extra info about the content would be useful.

[Macca]

Well I think it is their forum and they can jolly well do what ever they want with it!!!!

I don't think the add is intrusive and I feel they definitely should post into the notice board when they have any "news" about seminars or books.

The small adds they do have are nothing compared with most other professionally run forums.

I think the forum is excellent "value for money" :D :D :D

[Sim]

Originally posted by Mike
I've got a couple of questions:

1. Why wasn't the seminar announced in the Meeting Point conference? This would have allowed people to ask Jan and Ian questions relevant to the content of the seminar. Is it still possible to post an enquiry in Meeting Point? Will Ian or Jan answer questions about the seminar?

There should have been some information posted in Meeting Point as well - I don't think they have got around to it yet. It was felt that this was a little too subtle - a lot of people would miss the information in Meeting Point... so they wanted it a little more visible.

The best way to ask questions about the seminar is to contact them directly - see the information on the workshop page that is linked to by the banner ad.

Originally posted by Mike
2. Is the animated banner ad likely to encourage more spamming of this forum? We've tried to minimise spamming by creating conferences where some marketing is allowed on the basis that it may benefit the forum members. The conferences I refer to primarily are Meeting Point, Caveat Emptor and, occasionally, Information Resources. I would prefer any advertising to remain in the format of a post in one of the conferences designated for it to allow the possibility for feedback and discussion.

No Mike. See my previous post.

Originally posted by Mike
Last question: Is it possible to prevent this forum from being accessed directly? I know this forum can be linked to from the Somersoft site but having direct access to the site means that the Somers' site is usually bypassed resulting in many members and guests not realizing who the forum host is and missing out on useful information presented on other Somersoft site pages.


While it would be technically possible (although easy to get around) - that would actually achieve very little as you would have to wade through a heap of other information to get to the forum anyway - what's the difference between that and an advert on this page ?

Originally posted by Mike
I am guilty of rarely visiting the Somers' site because I login directly to this forum. I think the Somers are entitled to feel a little miffed about that given the financial cost of running this forum. At the moment, if you did login via the Somersoft Home Page you would see a larger version of the animated banner. In this way, every time you logged in via the home page you would be reminded about the seminar.

There has never been any kind of discussion of trying to recover costs of running the forum by selling product or seminars. In fact these workshops are run mostly on a cost-recovery basis themselves anyway. The main driver behind the advert was to make sure that people did know about the workshops and that seats were filled (advertising for the workshops up until now has been very low key so seats are still available).

I'm not sure why we are still discussing this subject anyway ?

[Mike]

It was felt that this was a little too subtle - a lot of people would miss the information in Meeting Point... Is this true?

If it is then how can other groups advertise their meetings less subtley?- what's the difference between that and an advert on this page ?The main point I'm making is that as far as this forum is concerned the Somersoft Home Page is invisible and probably less visited as a result. Anybody accessing this forum directly would not know who the forum host is. Why not at least put a permanent logo at the top of the forum home page which links to the Somersoft Home Page. The logo could include the text: "Your hosts - Jan and Ian Somers." If the Somers' are unconcerned about that, fine. Just a suggestion which has nothing to do with the banner ad.

Mike

[Sim]

Originally posted by Mike
Is this true?

If it is then how can other groups advertise their meetings less subtley?

They can't. Why is this a problem ?

Originally posted by Mike
The main point I'm making is that as far as this forum is concerned the Somersoft Home Page is invisible and probably less visited as a result. Anybody accessing this forum directly would not know who the forum host is. Why not at least put a permanent logo at the top of the forum home page which links to the Somersoft Home Page. The logo could include the text: "Your hosts - Jan and Ian Somers." If the Somers' are unconcerned about that, fine. Just a suggestion.

There is a permanent link to the Somersoft page at the bottom of every page. Anyone who drops the /forums from the end of the URL (ie. enters http://www.somersoft.com/ ) - will be taken to the main Somersoft page as well. There is also a link from the registration page to the main somersoft site.

[Mike]

There is a permanent link to the Somersoft page at the bottom of every page. Anyone who drops the /forums from the end of the URL (ie. enters http://www.somersoft.com/ ) - will be taken to the main Somersoft page as well. There is also a link from the registration page to the main somersoft site. Found it! Had to scroll down to find it, though. Since I rarely see it, IMHO, it would be more visible at the top of the page rather than at the bottom. Somersoft could be Somersoft Home.

Regards, Mike

[geoffw]

I agree Mike- I think they deserve to at least have their home page link be made a bit more prominent (as long as it's not with a fast moving animated gif :D )