Site Changes

**Nick** · 01-31-2010, 04:17 PM

B&B Site Changes

We've finished making some minor site updates which should help increase usability, as well as fix some minor glitches. At the same time, we've modified how ads are displayed on B&B. In order to help defray some of our costs, ads will now be viewable on the front page, to guests on all pages (as has been the case for some while), and to members ONLY on non-content/non-shaving related forum pages, like in The Barbershop, or BST. The ads should hopefully be minimally intrusive, but are necessary for a site of this size. We remain committed to keeping our content ad free, and hope that just showing ads on forums with non-shave-related banter and discussions strikes a healthy compromise.

As a perk/thank you to our contributors, all forum pages will remain ad free for all contributor levels. If you are interested in contributing to B&B, or would like to view all forum pages ad-free, you can contribute by clicking the green "contribute" link at the top of every page.

**Darjeeling Express** · 02-01-2010, 04:43 AM

I think the moderators have handled this tastefully and intelligently. This is an incredible forum and for it to continue these innovations are necessary. The mods have done it in a way that has remained true to the original spirit of B&B. Thank you for all of your hard work. Darjeeling

**blackfoot** · 02-01-2010, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Darjeeling Express

I think the moderators have handled this tastefully and intelligently. This is an incredible forum and for it to continue these innovations are necessary. The mods have done it in a way that has remained true to the original spirit of B&B. Thank you for all of your hard work. Darjeeling

+1

**DirtyDave** · 02-01-2010, 06:13 AM

As a bottom rung paying member, I have no problem seeing ads on any page. If advertising helps defray the costs involved, or even helps the founders of this site show a profit, I am all for it.

If they start showing too much of a profit, they can always lease some Beemers as an expense.

**TimMechEngr** · 02-01-2010, 06:19 AM

I knew of a few reasons why I became a contributor, namely giving back to this forum that provides so much for me. Now, I have another reason! Thanks Nick!

**slantman** · 02-01-2010, 06:35 AM

Not intrusive at all. The ads are small and in good taste

**davecmu** · 02-01-2010, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by slantman

Not intrusive at all. The ads are small and in good taste

I know this sounds strange, but as a contributor, there may be a time I'd want to see the ads (either for appreciation of the design or because I'm shopping for something and seeking inspiration). Is there a location I can see those without sacrificing my contributor status or the otherwise-ad-free surfing experience?

Dave

**Gruder** · 02-01-2010, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by davecmu

I know this sounds strange, but as a contributor, there may be a time I'd want to see the ads (either for appreciation of the design or because I'm shopping for something and seeking inspiration). Is there a location I can see those without sacrificing my contributor status or the otherwise-ad-free surfing experience?

Dave

You could simply log out, then view and click on ads as appropriate.

**Carlin** · 02-01-2010, 08:22 AM

I do not approve of the "bookmarks" toolbar on the bottem of every thread. While I understand that the purpose is to increase the chances of a user coming back, I believe that this is not the way to do it.

Not many people use the "book mark" function of any of the four sites listed there. The majority of the people use the built in browser bookmarks and the largest minority a mozilla bookmark manager which is already fully integrated without any work.

I petition the site to remove the "Bookmarks Toolbar" on the grounds of how useful it is not.

P.S., Thumbs up on the increased advertising :) (especially the green "Contribute" button)

**Baloosh** · 02-01-2010, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by davecmu

I know this sounds strange, but as a contributor, there may be a time I'd want to see the ads (either for appreciation of the design or because I'm shopping for something and seeking inspiration). Is there a location I can see those without sacrificing my contributor status or the otherwise-ad-free surfing experience?

Dave

Originally Posted by Gruder

You could simply log out, then view and click on ads as appropriate.

Do you really want to see this?

**gister** · 02-01-2010, 10:43 AM

I use Firefox with Adblock Plus so I don't see ads if I don't want to.

**DanOK** · 02-01-2010, 02:32 PM

Thanks Carlin, I didn't have a clue what that bookmark/toolbar is for and would be curious how many uses it gets. I would hope someone will get/monitor numbers to determine if its useful and if not make it go away.

I would echo Darjeeling's thoughts, mods do a great job.

**mdunn** · 02-01-2010, 02:51 PM

ps some of the other stuff like 'notifications' is awesome

**christhach** · 02-01-2010, 03:42 PM

You've got to make money after all! For a great site like this, you could put on dancing Coke polar bear mascots and I don't think most of us would blink!

**Gruder** · 02-01-2010, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by christhach

You've got to make money after all! For a great site like this, you could put on dancing Coke polar bear mascots and I don't think most of us would blink!

**Mr. Scruffy** · 02-01-2010, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by christhach

You've got to make money after all! For a great site like this, you could put on dancing Coke polar bear mascots and I don't think most of us would blink!

link --> Or how about this? <-- link

**KiltedShaver** · 02-01-2010, 06:00 PM

A big thumbs up sirs! This is splendid, I had noticed the addition of the green contribute button and thought it was brilliant. Opposed to others in the responses the bookmark bar is a great idea. That will make it easier for me to share thing with other that wet-shave but are not members here. However, may I suggest the addition of Facebook and Twitter to the bookmarks? Keep up the excellent work gentlemen!

Aaron