but seriously, when it comes to the point where I can't click on the topic because a flash animated fly gets in the way, that's really overdoing it.

but nonetheless, I understand that web-hosting is not free and these ads pay for our use of lowyat.net

as it is, I really don't like the fact the the Lineage 2 banner below slows down scrolling on the front page. It also takes up a good 40% - 50% more space than it actually appears to. The 'invisible area' goes quite far up, making me click the link unintentionally and thus irritating me because I wanted to read the headlines news in detail, not about an MMORPG.

I apologize if it sounds like I'm whining. Ads is what keeps Lowyat.net running, but I believe that there must be some control and regulation, otherwise the overall feel of the front page is just deteriorated.

It only expands once every session, and you don't see it again till you close your browser. There is also a close button at the bottom to close the window.

I'm sorry if you feel you can't bear with it. Advertisers are no longer interested in static normal ads anymore. Without advertising revenue, we're going to have to just shutdown the site.

We're trying very very hard to keep this site as a free site. Having to wait 5 seconds isn't that big a deal.

can we add a "CLOSE" button for the hp swat fly thingy too?

There is a close button, just that its overlapping with the text. It will be made more visible tomorrow.

se7en, again I apologise for complaining about this

I just thought you would like some feedback about it.

Nonetheless, I honestly understand the need for ads and the demanding criterias advertisers ask for. Thus, I consider it a 'necessary evil' and will learn to deal with it.

coincidentally, I met a Michelle Ding today, who works for an online advertising firm, who claims to have met you se7en.

I honestly didn't like her views on online advertising. She had a very narrow view on online marketing and kept on emphasizing on pop-ups and fancy flash ads.

As a result, advertisers are only aware of these 'irritating' ads and not other alternatives, which may or may not be more effective.

Well, i did accept your feedback as a constructive one.

We are actually extremely strict with the ads we accept. You can ask around most of the advertising agencies around Malaysia and they'll tell you why they think ten times before proposing their clients to advertise on Lowyat.NET.

Do people complain about ads on other large sites, yes, but none allow these comments to be published. We do. That alone should be enough to show that we value the opinion of the members and don't blindly accept ads no matter how much money is on the table.

I'm stuck with the same scenario in my day job, so i can tell you that advertisers are no longer satisfied with standard box-constrained ads. They have been exposed and been tempted with excessively fancy bouncing and jumping flash ads, and they believe that these ads are much much more appealing compared to normal ads. I don't think so, maybe you don't think so too, but its just extremely hard to convince them that the average web user just can't stand these fancy intrusive ads. The fad might pass, it might be replaced by something better, or worse, but while the transition takes place, we've got to adopt and try to accommodate some of these requests. Otherwise, the only way to keep the site afloat would be to charge the members - an alternative i do not wish to contemplate.

oo....so issit better we click on d adv whenever we r free? willl do that if it keeps d site free

no, that would not be necessary.

only click if you want to find out more about the products/services advertised.

if i have some money can i donate to LYN?

yes i agree with malayneum.

Would it be possible that the Lowyat.NET implements a simple feature to accept donations or some sort? Like a small donation link on top of the page.

I'm thinking something similar to head-fi's donation system.

Would like to donate too if the donations is useful for LYN(improvise)

Edit Typo

This post has been edited by temptation1314: Sep 24 2007, 09:20 AM

yupp.. maybe donation will work.. on per project basis

put a target goal for donation for a particular project. and public can see the progress of the collections. once reach target, the project can be closed and later report will be put online for people to see.

etc etc... anyone?

solution: dont close your browser

Alternatively, you could opt for Firefox with the Adblock extension installed.

Voila! No more ads. xD

how much does it cost to run lowyat forum?

normal la. their doing marketing, they only know about getting the message through.

it's people like us who are focused on usability issues.

anyway, DONATION does not seem like a right word to use. I would use CONTRIBUTION. it brings a better meaning. one sounds like BEGGING, the other sounds likE COME JOIN THE FUN.

i tot events like the t shirt competition also contributes to the forum's fund?not?
well, i guess these types of events is a good way of raising fund for the forum...

imagine this:

- purchase new mid end server for database every 6 months
- 10GB of bandwidth per day (not sure if 10gb / day is even enough)

the scripts, codes, indices, backups are all done by the admins for free - if it's charged professionally, that'd be tremendous

1. More like once a year.

2. I don't have exact figures right now but I think your estimate is off by at least a factor of 10

3. Haha yes, i can agree with this (if only to affirm my market value )

Gah.. When are these kids gonna finish using the swimming pool..

holy... are u real? do we suck THAT MUCH bandwidth a day?


accept it - yours is just about RM 1.50 per hour