bobdole369

I think I speak for the majority when I say the following:

I am your typical average user. I come to this particular site for assistance and information on a particular kind of car that I happen to own. I find it fun, enjoyable, and informative. I contribute in the forums when I can, and aim to help everyone out.

I don't know or never knew anything about the particulars of running this site, nor who owned it. It costs me nothing so I just wasn't interested. It seemed like a well-run community type thing, I could see the sponsors right up top there, utilized there services (especially hawks), never was anything rammed down my throat, and above all it was free. My cost was part of the community, namely my own time and bits of knowledge.

As part of the proletarian I can do nothing but watch, and express my opinion.

The ads appearing are sometimes not related to thirdgen vehicles, and are very much intrusive and annoying. We also have no opinion of the vendor, a site such as this thrives because of word of mouth and recommendations from superior vendors, ALL of the sponsors are trustworthy and I would not mind spending money at them. However I don't pay attention to things that are annoying. This is my opinion. For example:

Those are ads on the front page. These have nothing to do with the subject matter on this site. It is just clutter. Now I do know that you are also powerless to do anything about it. Unfortunately that comes with the territory. I've worked with google on many occasions in several different industries as a webmaster, VP, technical contact, MIS, and simple salesman, I personally do not think they are a good source for revenue for a site such as this. This is merely my opinion.

Now when I go deeper in the forums I get much better ad hits, like "700r4 free shipping", "Great deals on Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Shop on Ebay and save!" Much better, but I'll tell you right now I personally never have and never will actually buy something from a google ad. Well I hope those never turn into the annoying popup ads, or even worse those retarded page covering animations, or page transition ads.

As long as the community exists to offer support and help, and is there to receive my help and support, I'll probably be here. Just please don't make it so unbearable that I can't enjoy it. That might make me sell my car.

I know you're hard at work on the search. Honestly the search is the other half of the value of this site, so I hope you get it right. It was working fine before............ At least as far as I knew. I typed in what I wanted, hit search and within a second I had my answer. It appears to me that you just broke it.

Lest ye forget that the "property" that your company now owns (i.e. the site, database, and information contained within) was generated by the users over the past several years. Don't forget about the users.... this is the absolute best site in my opinion, but there are alternatives.

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

My thoughts exactly.

There are alot of nice things with this update, like fast editing options and quick replies. Also the AIM/Yahoo/MSN thing under my avatar, that's nice. This version is also much more stable.

What I dont like are those damn ads, and you hit the nail on the head. Of course those came with the company that bought the site, not the software. And you know damn well that the company bought it because of the amount of traffic that comes through here. What an easy way to make some cash. You (the company) ****ing disgust me. This site was built by the thousands of users that have come and posted here over the years, and it's a site with community and friendships, a site that is dedicated to helping people with their thirds, and you bought it to make a buck with your worthless advertising. I hope no one clicks on it, no clicks mean you don't make any money.

JT

iTrader: (1)

You guys did read the comments on the main page, https://www.thirdgen.org, most specifically:

Jason and Dave work for the company that purchased TGO. They get paid for their time. You may have notice they both have contributed a lot of time into upgrading and fixing the forums. I, as well, have put in a lot of time and effort in the short time that I've been in the power to do so. However, I do not get paid as I don't work for the company. I'm also not quite on the skill level of Jason or Dave in their field, either.

That said, it would help by doing something to help, such as suggesting fixed sponsors who might be interested in advertising on TGO, as Jason asked for, rather than just stating that you don't like the google ads (I think that is a given, does anyone really like them ???).

It disgusts me that there is hope that no one clicks on the google ads. Do you really think this is going to help TGO? Do you want TGO to go offline? The new company is likely not going to pay for TGO's costs. This isn't smart, business wise. Instead of continuing to post your dislike about the google ads (which is obvious), please DO something about them, such as helping the new owners find 3rd gen FBody vendors who may be interested in advertising on TGO, to possibly eliminate the need for the google ads.

The above message isn't directed to any one person. It is to all who continue to post their dislike about the google ads, which is obvious, and does not help matters.

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

While no one likes the ads, they probably won't always be here. We'd also appreciate it if the bashing would stop.

bobdole369

Thanks for saying that. I'll thank you again if I see it happen.

JT

iTrader: (1)

Unless people help TGO by finding long-term vendors to advertise on the site, to help with TGO's expense, I have doubts that it will be pulled so easily. I'm being realistic and upfront. The business that owns TGO likely will not pay for TGO's expenses out of pocket. I imagine Dirk's position helped allow TGO run the way it did, but I could be wrong on that.

Please do not simply assume that they will just disappear (and hence, do nothing). PLEASE help TGO by helping find vendors that have interest in advertising on TGO, to help pay for these expenses. Your help is needed, otherwise I doubt things will change. I'm being upfront and realistic, not just fluff.

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

Get to work:

http://www.camaroz28.com/misc/vendorindex/
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/sponsors.php

Cyfun

Now I like banner ads just as much as the next person (assuming that the next person hates banner ads), but I think its a small price to pay for such a resource. Of all the banner ads that could potentially be used, the Google AdSense ones are probably the least intrusive or annoying.

I would estimate that over several years of referring to this board, I have saved thousands of dollars and countless hours, so having a few white bits of text up top that say something like Find Camaro in Washington's Online Local Search is fine by me.

I know hosting such a popular site doesn't come cheap, but having a handful of devoted sponsors and a couple banner ads(and a well-coded Search function that doesn't bring down the whole damn server) ought to cover it. Having said that, if there were a PayPal account set up for donations, I'd gladly toss in twenty bucks without a second thought.

Whether or not the ads are kept, I would hate for this site to become members-only, where us folks have to pay dues just to gain access to the forums period. A good compromise might be to allow both members and guests to have access to the same information, but those who pay to be members gain access to a faster search function, have bigger signatures, potential discounts on merchandice, and maybe a bit of file hosting or web space.

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

I've been on the boards since 1999 (different screenname from 99-02) and this is a little too much change. I was checking it all out. And the google ads that used to be there (I have adblock for firefox) And then to my suprise i read a little thing at the bottom.

No part of this website may be reproduced without the expressed, documented, and written consent of ThirdGen.org's Administrators.

That's bull****. We make the website not the admins. I used to be dedicated here, but that has changed as I have found other forums that are more like what thirdgen used to be. A club and awesome tech. I've already noticed the decreased amount of posting going on here. I was on this site probably 2-3 times a day sometimes for a few minutes sometimes for hours. Never have I seen such a decline. I don't know how you managed to **** off so many thirdgen guys but you really should put us ahead of the profit margin. Since we are what makes this site worth coming to. Just an idea guys.

I'm not bashing you all some things have been made better. But there are alot of things that alot of members don't like. I think someone already mentioned the online/offline under our names. Among other things. Alot of these guys consider each other friends. And friends are easily influenced. I love TGO i just don't want to see it run into the ground like various other fancar websites.

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

What I'm seeing here is alot of misinformation. The copyright has been there for years now and it's what stops other sites from stealing all our stuff on the main page and board names/descriptions. Also, a reason for recent decline in posting is because of various things, mostly work on the search and issues with the boards being up and staying there. It's taking work. But, it's going back up and only a few days ago, TGO set a new record for most Members online at once.

As for the online/offline thing, I don't know why anyone wouldn't like that and you don't have to have it on if you don't want. BTW, the boards also had that for years too. We used to have those Chevrolet and Pontiac emblems all over if you'll recall and there was one in each post telling if the person was on or not. One of the things I want is a choice between this look and a TGO Retro look to satisfy all the people that want the original TGO look back, which there are many of.

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

I would LOVE to do this to help out this site, however I'm not an official representative of TGO, I have no information on how sponsorships work, I have no idea what kind of rates you charge.

I'm willing to bet sponsors from ls1tech or cz28 would be willing to sponsor here, but like I said, I have no real information to pass on except "Hey email TGO because they're looking for sponsors." Hell I know a company or two that would probably be interested, give me the information to pass on and I WILL!

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

I'll be happy when it gets running smooth again that's the biggest part for me. I wish i knew more about coding than i do that way i could help with the search problems.

jasonlitka

I will forward those links to the person who handles the advertising.

vrtc350

iTrader: (1)

What about the "report this thread" button to keep crap like this out? Where did it go?

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=353932

JT

iTrader: (1)

Underneath each user's name, there is the following icon:



That is the "report this post" link.

I've taken care of the thread you mentioned.

Thanks.

400Z28Racer

iTrader: (4)

If they want to sell it, I can buy it. Another thing, if they bought TGO to make money, I think it will be fair to pay the moderators.

vrtc350

iTrader: (1)

I agree, that would be nice as they spend a great deal of time policing and tackling tought questions.

Regarding the Google Ads, I don't find them as obtrusive. They are just in the top banner. The constant blinking of the site sponsers is more annoying in my opinion.

Change is a very disliked thing. We as humans tend to be very stubborn and set in our ways. There are things with the change that I don't much care for but oh well. I will adjust and keep racing . Getting use to all of the new buttons is one of them.

Xophertony

if you dislike the google adds do somthing. here, i will make a proposal:

a moderator (i am not a mod, but would voulanteer my services for this) needs to administer a paypal account. the "TGO members sponsership." we could make a "banner add" the same size as the TDS, spohn, hawks etc.. banners. it would be the fourth in that row. it would have the old TGO logo and it would say "thanks for making this site great with your donations" . whwn you clicked it it would take you to a page on here describing how to donate with a link to the paypal acount. now the great thing about this is the word "donate" does not mean money specificaly. the add would be thanking the members for there donations of time and knowledge, as well as money.

ok mods. make it happen.