Advertisements in the Leica Forum

[admin]

Dear Forum members,

Things are progressing – with Leica's product range as well as in the Leica forum.

You may have noticed that the forum structure has changed slightly - I have introduced a section which specifically concentrates on "analogue" photography. When the original structure was setup digital photography was a special case; the centre of gravity has moved, now both areas are on par.

The introduction of the new Leica M8 has led to another special forum dedicated to discussions around this new topic and also to serve as a place for the exclusive pre-releases of new Leica product information; visible to registered members only. The content of this forum will be shifted to the digital section once the hot phase is over.

The “sneak preview” of the M8 was a full success – on September 14th –15th forum access doubled and around 300 new registrations have been encountered. Although the server was stressed to the limit, all information could be provided as per standard.

These kinds of special actions and the daily standard support for our members of course require some work and creates costs. Leica as our generous main sponsor supports all operational costs, but maintenance and development on the other hand are more or less voluntary work.

In order to provide new services and keep the maintenance ongoing we will start to place advertisements over the upcoming days.

To find a good balance between members interests and the aforementioned necessity for funding, we will stay away from annoying ads which might disturb content and appearance of our forum. Vendors will be selected so that their products and services “fit” to the forum. Currently I am talking to official Leica dealers, accessory vendors and service suppliers around photography as such. For those feeling irritated by ads please keep in mind that it helps to offer the forum for zero-cost.

If it becomes almost unbearable, simply scroll 70 pixel downwards… last measure would be to install a promotion blocker and provide voluntary donations to the forum…

Those of you who want to actively support the forum should consider the advertisers during your next purchase (and state this clearly!). You can also take the opportunity to inform the Leica dealer of your choice about this marvellous platform

Finally, in general: Good discussions about a subject and being respectful towards each other are helping the forum anyway.

Many thanks for your appreciation

Regards

Andreas

[rick123]

Thank you Andreas for helping to provide such a wonderful forum. As an avid amateur photographer and Leicaphile for some 40 years, I feel privileged to have the opportunity to associate with such a kind and instructive group.

[stuny]

Andreas -

I am sure I'm not alone in greatly appreciating all you are doing for us, and I for one actually look forward to advertising as you describe it. Regarding volunteerism, I am most willing to provide usability review of any Forum plans.

[telyt]

Thanks Andreas, this forum is among the most civil and helpful I've found.

[john_r_smith]

Andreas

firstly, congratulations on all your hard work for the Leica Forum. By the way, I like the new film section (although how times have changed, and we should need to have one!)

Secondly, if we are to have adverts from trade suppliers, why should we not also have now a members buy/sell/swap area too? After all, many trade suppliers of new Leica cameras also sell large amounts of second-hand gear too, so that prohibition will have been breached.

John

[leica_mage]

Wirklich vielen Dank, Andreas.

Your hard work is much appreciated. Everything you mention about advertising in sensible.

By the way, I originally thought I preferred the previous layout, but it turned out to be force of habit.

Great "place", with some very interesting individuals to "meet".

Cheers,

[garyp]

Sounds like you have a good handle on things and I don't object to ''mild'' advertising.
Thanks
GaryP

[albertwang]

Originally Posted by admin

Currently I am talking to official Leica dealers, accessory vendors and service suppliers around photography as such. For those feeling irritated by ads please keep in mind that it helps to offer the forum for zero-cost.

I like this idea because then it would make it easier to find good Leica dealers wherever you are in the world!

[cbretteville]

As long as you ban animated (gifs and flash based) adds I don't mind.

- Carl

[admin]

Originally Posted by cbretteville

As long as you ban animated (gifs and flash based) adds I don't mind.

We have to find a compromise between what the advertisers and the users want.

Advertisements have to draw attention - if they don't work dealers won't use them.

I'll try to keep all goals in mind - but as mentioned it will be a compromise.

Andreas

[mitchell]

I'm not crazy abouts ads, but they could be OK.

But, animations change the whole atmosphere and are very annonying! I really hope you don't go that route.

Thanks for all your work.

Best,

Mitchell

[vic vic]

andreas - of course it is good idea with the ads. indeed - work and maintanaance of forum should be payd somehow....

im also not a fun of the flashy ads, and the pop-ups. a dedicated banner would be great - it can be changed from time to time, or changed everytime the user inters the page. change randomly, or by activity of the forum (if the forum is usually active in certan times - it would be better to make ads at this time more expenssive).

another good idea is to use the clock. since the mnajority of the forum members are either americans, or europeans, the ads can be directed accordingly in terrms of time. but this requeres a more complicated "logistics".

[rob_x2004]

At the end of the day there has to be some way to cover expenses. And I am sure that often the administrators works in setting up and maintianing a site goes unappreciated.

I can understand no "buy and sell" forum, and personally I think it is probably a good idea. Would relaxing to allow existing members an informal "I am in the market for" and "I am looking to offload...if anyone is interested please message me offline" threads be positive?

At the moment whatever buying or selling I am involved in is through dealers, but I have in the past been given a heads up in here that resulted in buying from other members. (Blighter told me it was used and it turned out to be damed near brand new by the way )

[twom4]

Andreas,

Thank you for this wonderful Forum.

The ads will help us Leicaphile to get our gears easier and keep this Forum alive.

Well done.

[squanmis]

Andreas:

Thank you for great forum. I have found it very helpful and informative.

I also don't object to civilized advertisements.

Please keep up the good work.

John

[stuny]

Rob -

I told you not to trust those bl**dy Yanks

[beramos]

Andreas, thanks by your hard and efficient work.

[albertwang]

Originally Posted by cbretteville

As long as you ban animated (gifs and flash based) adds I don't mind.

- Carl

What's wrong with animated gifs?

[bill]

Originally Posted by albertwang

What's wrong with animated gifs?

You MUST be joking...

Regards,

Bill

[erl]

Probably I am alone in this (I didn't come out of a mold, I am told!) but I am have serious trouble with an ad for Amazon books that overlays the first page when I log onto the Forum. I suspect it should be confined to the Left hand column with other ads., but it covers the first two or three subject headings.

My inexpert opinion is that there may be something wrong with the original html or some such thing. It only affect my (preferred) Opera browser, and only that one page. Apart from being a great nuisance, I hate not knowing why!

WHY my browser?
WHY only that page?
WHY has it just started?

Puzzled,
Erl