30-08-2001 23:13									#31
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

It appears that DanQ has quoted himself extensively on the MOO3 announcement. I did not realise that it was germane to interview one's ownself.

Let's ask RedFred's opinion on the pop-up issue.
RedFred, what is your view on this?

"Well I have to say that I really would object to the popups. Apolyton is blindingly slow as it is and I really hate popups."

So you would favour the two ad option?

"The other option would be to not come here anymore. I am a long time fan of the Apolyton site and I would hate to see it decline in popularity due to pop-ups. For SMAC this has to be the best place on the whole net for information and meeting other players. Decimating the community is not in my interest and I doubt that even the site's owners would gain by it."

	30-08-2001 23:28									#32
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

quote: Originally posted by RedFred "Well I have to say that I really would object to the popups. Apolyton is blindingly slow as it is and I really hate popups."

perhaps if you read more carefully your interview would be better

1) it's one popup, not many
2) the option to have the popup actually removes one of the two normal ads which improves speed, not the opposite....

	31-08-2001 01:06									#33
	Increase the size of your Attachments

You guys really shouldn't be complaining. One popup (and I add that it's small) is a LOT easier to handle than 2-3 huge ads about casinos, online dating systems, and whatnot at EZBoard. I'm glad that Apolyton isn't ad-crazy like many sites that I've seen. Nor is it going bankrupt.

The best part is that it's an OPTION, not something where you have to pay $5 or more a month for just getting rid of the Godd*mned ads!

	31-08-2001 06:21									#34
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

MarkG, if closing the popup window causes new popups then that is more than one. If everytime I go out to the main menu I get a new popup then that is more than one. Even if I only get one per visit that would be more than one. So referring to popups (plural) is not that unreasonable.

My suspicion is that the reason for the slowness of Apolyton is not user volume or flood control but the slowness of the server that generates the ads. I don't see how moving to popups would dramatically improve the situation. Perhaps using a different sponsor would. But I freely admit that I am no expert on running a big site such as this.

	31-08-2001 06:26									#35
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

quote: Originally posted by RedFred MarkG, if closing the popup window causes new popups then that is more than one. If everytime I go out to the main menu I get a new popup then that is more than one. Even if I only get one per visit that would be more than one. So referring to popups (plural) is not that unreasonable.

Uhhhhh.... maybe you should have actually read the first post MarkG made to this thread.

quote: Notes on the pop-up: - Dont close it! Eitherwise, the next time you visit the front forum page you will get a new one.

	31-08-2001 07:39									#36
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Well to continue with the tradition of the interview theme in this thread. tniem will now interview tniem.

Q: What is the popup option?

A: The popup option allows you to get rid of one ad per page on every thread during your visit to ACS in exchange for one additional popup on the front forums page.

Q: Is the new popup option an option?

A: Yes, the option is an option. You can opt to use the option or it is your option to do the default.

Q: So this option could have no effect on most of the population of ACS?

A: Correct, since it is an option and not a default, most people probably will not see a difference. If you want to use the option, then the option is in place to be opted into. It really is just an option.

Q: Do you use the option?

A: I currently use the option. I have found it to be a fantastic option.

Q: Should someone else use the option?

A: It is all about weighing your options. Do you prefer one or the other. You get to choose the option and opt into the option that works best for you.


There I think I said option in every possible situation and that should end all complaints...

	31-08-2001 10:10									#37
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

Ming, I did read the first post. That is why I said "if closing the popup...etc".

I am not trying to troll, start an arguement or in any way denigrate this site or its moderators. I wouldn't be here if I didn't like Apolyton. I am merely registering my strong opposition to popups.

	31-08-2001 11:06									#38
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

quote: Originally posted by RedFred I am merely registering my strong opposition to popups.

And you aren't the only one... That's why the admin made them OPTIONAL

	31-08-2001 11:29									#39
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

thanks for the interview tniem

you are one of the 26 people who use the pop-up option

	31-08-2001 22:05									#40
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

Ming, call me a shameless cynic if you will, but I have seen other sites adopt popups. But I have never yet seen sites who had popups suddenly decide that they were no longer a good idea and abandon them. My feeling is that if pop-ups come to Apolyton they will never leave. Likewise that they will increase in number, size and obnoxiousness, never decrease.

Introducing pop-ups as an option is a clever strategy given the mass opposition the last couple of times that they just started appearing without warning. Particularly if the other option is made unpalatable enough that people start switching to pop-ups. Then, if they choose, in a few months the owners can suddenly say, "Some, many or most [pick one] users are now using popups. Therefore we may as well put everyone on the same system."

But I should apologize. I thought that this might be thread where people could discuss how they felt about pop-ups. And not a thread where people are expected to agree that they are a great idea, or get "special attention" from the moderators.

	31-08-2001 22:15									#41
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

quote: Originally posted by RedFred Introducing pop-ups as an option is a clever strategy given the mass opposition the last couple of times that they just started appearing without warning.

those previous time the pop-ups where not added by us or by our choice

quote: I thought that this might be thread where people could discuss how they felt about pop-ups.

you are wrong. this thread is about the specific option that we added on the forums. not a general discussion on pop-ups

	31-08-2001 22:36									#42
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

Again, I apologize for going off topic.

	05-09-2001 19:03									#43
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

I use Pop Up Stopper. To access a second window, one must hold down shift or control, while clicking on link.

It can be deactivated at will.

I like it fine.





(let me try this new smiley, hmmm)

	05-09-2001 19:06									#44
	Get a bigger avatar today!

quote: Originally posted by SlowwHand I use Pop Up Stopper. To access a second window, one must hold down shift or control, while clicking on link. It can be deactivated at will. I like it fine.

since you're not using one of the special styles, there are no pop-ups to stop on apolyton....

	05-09-2001 19:36									#45
	Got spare money?

quote: Originally posted by MarkG thanks for the interview tniem

You are very welcome.

quote: you are one of the 26 people who use the pop-up option

and acording to earlier posts by you, I am one of the few that use the light feature. I have enjoyed many of the additions that you have added to the forums and will continue to try new ones. Although the one I disliked and turned off was avitars. I hate waiting for silly images to load, I can always look in Personal if someone claims to have a good one.

	06-09-2001 17:34									#46
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

You guys just haven't been husbands for long enough. Like the women are always complaining. Not only do we tune them out along with crying babies and screaming kids, but we can ingore anything unless we want to pay attention.

I just close the pop-ups and ignore the ads. I don't even really see them on the pages any more even the flashing banners that some sites end up with. When I do notice them they aren't selling anything I care about anyway.

Ken

	18-09-2001 03:03									#47
	Increase Your PM Length

Ummm. Mark. Sorry to be a bother but have there been any script changes or somesuch in the past couple of days?
I ask as my browser now seems to be spawning multiple popups - a new one for every time I change forums. I didn't close the original and now I have three.
Heeeellllllpppppp I'm drowning in popups Well, not really. I was just curious.

	18-09-2001 10:12									#48
	Full PM-box? Change here!

quote: Originally posted by ravagon Ummm. Mark. Sorry to be a bother but have there been any script changes or somesuch in the past couple of days? I ask as my browser now seems to be spawning multiple popups - a new one for every time I change forums. I didn't close the original and now I have three. Heeeellllllpppppp I'm drowning in popups Well, not really. I was just curious.

I'm afraid that the advertising network we're in have changed their code(the script loads from their server so the change was automatic)

Every time you re-visit the main forums page you will get a new pop-up even if you havent closed the first

Of course the code is always only on the main forums page and not in any other forums page.

I dont know if this is a permanent change

	25-09-2001 21:18									#49
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

Markos, et al.:

As one of the folks who has chosen the pop-up ad option on the main screen, I've noticed that the ad went from a small, behind-the-main-window thing to a gargantuan 2/3rds of the screen in-front-of-the-main-window thing over the last 1 1/2 weeks or so.

Is this another change instituted by the advertiser?

CYBERAmazon

	26-09-2001 09:52									#50
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

quote: Originally posted by CYBERAmazon Is this another change instituted by the advertiser?

yes. we have no control over the size of the ads.

	06-10-2001 23:01									#51
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

Does JavaScript have to be on in order to get pop-ups?

	08-10-2001 14:39									#52
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

well, the only adds I ever see are at the top-right corner, and they are not very large or obtrusive.

I never get a pop-up, and I have my 'style' set to default.

	08-10-2001 14:57									#53
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

quote: Originally posted by Anunikoba I never get a pop-up, and I have my 'style' set to default.

that's the idea

change your style to one of the "Special" ones and visit the front forum page

	08-10-2001 16:11									#54
	If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Got spare money?

This is doubly true of banners and pop-ups.

I will keep it as is..

	09-10-2001 02:09									#55
	Full PM-box? Change here!

It's alright, I've gone to default special and it's working fine now.

David

Last edited by Crouchback on 09-10-2001 at 02:14

	11-10-2001 01:50									#56
	Got spare money?

I've got a question concerning banner adds. If some one clicks on a banner add and then immediately closes it, does the site get any money. Seems worthless to the advertiser.

What if they click on the add then leave the page in the background never touching it again until they close it.

I know some adds i.e. Compuexpert adds don't pay the referring site unless the person buys something. I think Chips&Bits work the same way.

This have probably been answered but I'm curious. Oh and could you get a more applicable pop-up the current one is boring. How about some neat flash adds that play a movie.

	11-10-2001 03:31									#57
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by Moral Hazard I've got a question concerning banner adds. If some one clicks on a banner add and then immediately closes it, does the site get any money. Seems worthless to the advertiser.

actually, when it comes to the pop-ups we are paid according to the number of people who see it, not click on it....

	11-10-2001 09:15									#58
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

quote: Originally posted by MarkG actually, when it comes to the pop-ups we are paid according to the number of people who see it, not click on it....

So pop-ups are really good for the site? I will continue to use the popup choice then for the good of all.

	11-10-2001 11:43									#59
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by tniem So pop-ups are really good for the site? I will continue to use the popup choice then for the good of all.

yes, it's really good for the site. although only 2% of the registered forum users and the guests get them which means that currently they dont make a big difference. if everyone got them we would have more or less solved our problems but what the hell....

	17-10-2001 12:02									#60
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

Has there been complaints on that liitle
T-shirt pop-up?