ad free / subscription version of audioshark?

i fully realize the importance of ad revenue in supporting this site...

however, given the plethora of ads now populating every crease and crevice of audioshark.org causing poor site performance and injecting all sorts of cookies, data, trackers, etc, it seems logical / desirable to at least pose the question of having some type subscription membership which would be ad free.

i would certainly be willing to pay a subscription fee to use the site ad free. curious if others would as well?

btw and off topic: i thought politics were frowned upon here (see attachments) ;)

The ads are all managed by Google. We don’t have anything to do with it.

I’ll be interested to see what the response to your question is. I would be happy to accept $20/year from every member to run the site. But the last time I asked this question, people said they were fine with the ads and keeping it free.

We are working through a number of changes (server) and upgrades to the software. We are continuing to iron out the kinks and I’ve asked the developers to please do what they can to tweak the site back to our original ad layout (I never requested it be changed). We have worked through a number of updates and changes the past week and everyone’s patience is greatly appreciated.

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Originally Posted by Mike

The ads are all managed by Google. We don’t have anything to do with it.

I’ll be interested to see what the response to your question is. I would be happy to accept $20/year from every member to run the site. But the last time I asked this question, people said they were fine with the ads and keeping it free.

We are working through a number of changes (server) and upgrades to the software. We are continuing to iron out the kinks and I’ve asked the developers to please do what they can to tweak the site back to our original ad layout (I never requested it be changed). We have worked through a number of updates and changes the past week and everyone’s patience is greatly appreciated.

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...630f51fa9d.jpg

When I log in, this is what I see. Not sure why you are still getting a giant ad at the top. Is this recent?

yes -- the ad at the top of the page is recent / since the server change. it does not appear 100% of the time, but certainly over 50%

btw: i am suggesting some type of freemuim model... use free with ads, pay to use without ads.

another forum i frequent has a freemium model with the paid subscription unlocking certain content which includes the ability to post in the classifieds -- i.e. buy/sell. the paid subscription still has ads but i value the extra content and pay ~$25/yr. i would be happy to pay more to eliminate all ads if that were an option there.

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Originally Posted by aKnyght

yes -- the ad at the top of the page is recent / since the server change. it does not appear 100% of the time, but certainly over 50%

btw: i am suggesting some type of freemuim model... use free with ads, pay to use without ads.

another forum i frequent has a freemium model with the paid subscription unlocking certain content which includes the ability to post in the classifieds -- i.e. buy/sell. the paid subscription still has ads but i value the extra content and pay ~$25/yr. i would be happy to pay more to eliminate all ads if that were an option there.

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I’m totally open to that, but the last time I proposed it, folks didn’t want it. Let’s see what folks say this time.

For those who are less educated, let me explain the Google ads:

We assign locations on our site for Google ads (through Google Adsense) to run their ads. The locations on the forum could be like they are now, the far right column. We do not pick what ads show. Google decides on the ads based on your browsing history. So, if you’re looking for a new dishwasher online, you may see ads for dishwashers.

AKnyght, I have asked the developers to completely remove the large top banner that you were seeing. I actually don’t know why it was there at all since during our migration and upgrade, there was no discussion of increasing ad space. But I’ve confirmed this morning it has been taken care of and aKnyght, you shouldn’t see anymore large ads at the top when you log in.

thanks mike!

as much as people here spend on their systems to get as high a signal-to-noise ratio as technically possible, one would think a few bucks a year to get the same S/N ratio from this site would be a no-brainer ...right?

Mike, one option to consider is a set-up where people can choose to pay some amount (perhaps $15 per year or $75 for lifetime, etc.) and not get adds. The site would be the same, except people who paid extra would get the benefit of no ads. Think of Amazon Kindle giving customers the choice to pay a one-time purchase extra $20 to avoid ads on a Kindle.

Best,
Duke

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Originally Posted by Duke97

Mike, one option to consider is a set-up where people can choose to pay some amount (perhaps $15 per year or $75 for lifetime, etc.) and not get adds. The site would be the same, except people who paid extra would get the benefit of no ads. Think of Amazon Kindle giving customers the choice to pay a one-time purchase extra $20 to avoid ads on a Kindle.

Best,
Duke

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Absolutely! I would happily do this if folks are open to it. Just note, if we do go this route, I would likely ask the developers to put MORE ads on the free site and none for the paid user. And again, as always, 100% of the money is retained in an account to pay for all site costs - just like we do now with donations.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I'm in though to be honest I haven't had any problems other than the slow down which is effecting many sites.

I am not seeing any ads on my laptop.

no ads here - adblocker.

I am not seeing any ads.

I'd spring for a subscription as a means of supporting the site but that's because I've donated at least once and plan to try to remember to do so, yearly, as Audioshark has become a top visited audio site, for me.
That said, I don't find the ads offensive at this point. On mobile there have been occasional issues in the past but I mostly use a laptop when browsing and try use the desktop site when using a mobile device. The site works well on my end, though I have seen the spam and double posts, recently, too. But it looks to have been addressed in a rapid and effective manner. Great job!

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Originally Posted by Rnrmf

I'd spring for a subscription as a means of supporting the site but that's because I've donated at least once and plan to try to remember to do so, yearly, as Audioshark has become a top visited audio site, for me.
That said, I don't find the ads offensive at this point. On mobile there have been occasional issues in the past but I mostly use a laptop when browsing and try use the desktop site when using a mobile device. The site works well on my end, though I have seen the spam and double posts, recently, too. But it looks to have been addressed in a rapid and effective manner. Great job!

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Thank you! [emoji3590]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I would definitely be interested in an add free subscription.

I also wonder, would there be an interest in an executive or prime subscription where there is content that only prime members get. That might be something you are not interested in Mike, but was thinking would there be any interest or advantages to doing something like that?

I would say that for 15-20 $ a year i would also be in for that. As i also know there are cost with running a site like this.

I don't see any adds. This is what I get when I log in. Using FireFox, maybe that has something to do with it Attachment 28425







PS: $20 a year is not a problem.

As requested:

1- After logged in to the forum, go to this URL:
https://www.audioshark.org/payments.php

2- Select 25 USD, click ORDER.

3- Click ORDER USING PAYPAL

4- In the redirected paypal page, make the payment.

The $25 per year will give you ad free access along with a special members area which will soon be created.

For the record, I’m not a fan of this idea, I really wanted to keep everything free. But there were repeated requests for it, so I had it developed.

We are still testing, so be patient while we iron out any kinks. If you pay the $25, we will manually confirm your membership will be ad free


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

wow -- ok, i am in !!

that being said, my primary motivation for the OP was site performance. i certainly did not intend to start anything that would end up making the administration of the site more complex or difficult ...nor, something that goes against a vision for free access to the community.

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Originally Posted by aKnyght

wow -- ok, i am in !!

that being said, my primary motivation for the OP was site performance. i certainly did not intend to start anything that would end up making the administration of the site more complex or difficult ...nor, something that goes against a vision for free access to the community.

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Oh my, you certainly didn’t. This has been requested by several people - privately. I didn’t want to start having a fee because I like free! I also don’t want gigantic industry ads either. Not because of the ads themselves, but because of past experiences. “So and so said our amp was not good! Take down that post and ban him!”

I prefer to see ads for new dishwashers. Speaking of which....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

aight -- just successfully subscribed !!

I never see any kind of ads.

I do use Firefox. Will try Chrome & Safari now to see what happens.

No ads with Chrome.

Some ads appear in a right-hand column on Safari, but no large ones and none at the top of the page.

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Originally Posted by Mike

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...630f51fa9d.jpg

When I log in, this is what I see. Not sure why you are still getting a giant ad at the top. Is this recent?

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Same here. No ads.

Even though I do not see ads, am OK with signing up. Not sure if it's as much as I already donate, though...

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Originally Posted by aKnyght

i fully realize the importance of ad revenue in supporting this site...

however, given the plethora of ads now populating every crease and crevice of audioshark.org causing poor site performance and injecting all sorts of cookies, data, trackers, etc, it seems logical / desirable to at least pose the question of having some type subscription membership which would be ad free.

i would certainly be willing to pay a subscription fee to use the site ad free. curious if others would as well?

btw and off topic: i thought politics were frowned upon here (see attachments) ;)

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That is too funny. :D

* Right now, on my end here, @ the right, I have an add about a bank recently that had an employee stealing money from few hundreds customers! It's a Canadian add because I've read the article recently on Google internet. So what's funny too; Google makes sure to give us the best add to help people in distress...that bank, that guy you have in your add above, ...

It's all Google, nothing to do with the Shark lounge, or our gentle host Mike.

Personally I'm not an Audio dealer just an Audio nuts. It's for the love of music ...
It's for the fun of exchanging life online with other nuts and the music we love.
No subscription needed for that. That's me.

But, if I was an Audio dealer and making in the six figures and above a year in sales I would put adds of the products that have the best financial profit margin for me. And of course they'd have to pay beaucoup much on my hiend audio site...it's just normal (same with Google choosing their target adds for each one of us). Nothing is free in this country...just ask Mike.

I enjoy the place for the people and the music they/we love. The rest is strictly business as usual.
I'm all good, adds or no adds. Because music matters first.

But that's just too funny to have an add of Donald Duck. :D Good one!
I never had one of those...yet. Thx for sharing, I had a good laugh this morning.

Just signed in with Google - no ads of any kind, same as Firefox, & Chrome...

Only Safari has ads - but only in the far right column.

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Originally Posted by still-one

I am not seeing any ads on my laptop.

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You must have an add blocker?

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Originally Posted by FDPDK

I would say that for 15-20 $ a year i would also be in for that. As i also know there are cost with running a site like this.

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Yes it costs money to run a site like this, nothing's free.
1. Or adds pay for part of the expenses (it can cost $1,000 a month).
2. Or members pay a subscription, plus donations, a fee to relax the expenses add-free, and the site is run cooperatively.
3. Or the site owner is rich. :D

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Originally Posted by Jim Smith

I never see any kind of ads.

I do use Firefox. Will try Chrome & Safari now to see what happens.

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Same here, the adds appear on the right...vertically. Right now, various Canadian banks because I read financial news in my country. That's with Chrome. I could use a dozen different browsers if I wanted too, and I can also use a dozen different free addblocker apps.
I can also contribute financially to the Shark site...say couple hundred bucks a year so that Mike can use the best version with dark mode, all the stuff polished to the max for the most attractive visually audio site in the world. ...With free music samples.

The sky's the limit ...