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Geek Culture / Google Ads...

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Jiffy
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 15:05 Edited at: 27th Mar 2007 15:05
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Huge apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but it's kind of obvious that TGC has just added Google Ads to Apollo.

I'm curious as to the decision for this. I mean, presumably it's to do with funds or something of the sort but could there be a system put in place similar to other sites where if, say, you donate, the ads are removed? Maybe I'm a perfectionist, but the Ads seem to make Apollo a lot less clean, especially when you have one smack in the middle of a thread.


Evil has a new name. Demo out now!
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Lost in Thought
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 15:06
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The ads have always been here. They were just at the bottom of the page and not in between the posts.

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Jiffy
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 15:08
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Lost, I knew the Ads where at the bottom of the pages, but I just figured it was quite a difference considering they were out of the way whereas now, they're at the top of the page as well as in between thread posts.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I just thought it was interesting.


Evil has a new name. Demo out now!
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dark coder
22
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 15:13
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I have Adblock extension for FireFox and I don't see any ads, I however see the table for them, if I ever see ads I just find the link / name for it and add it to the blocked list, voila!

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Richard Davey
Retired Moderator
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 16:02
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The main 'banner' ad was moved into exactly half-way down the message list as opposed to being at the very bottom of the page. It's no more than before, just in a different place. The text links at the top are new however.

I didn't just do this randomly, Rick has been working with Google on this for some time. We get a decent amount of Adsense revenue from the forum, but it could be better - if this works, it stays. If it doesn't, it reverts back to how it was. That's about it really.

There are no plans to 'hide ads for donators', that's territory we don't want to get into at all. On a really heavily ad-laden site like Gamespot it works well, but here it really wouldn't.

Never trust a computer you can't throw out of a window
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Lost in Thought
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 16:03
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When I first seen them I thought I was way too sleepy to be up, then I tried reloading and refreshing my browser several times and playing with my forum profile settings (threads pere page), then I realized it wasn't my setup. Turns out it was the Apollo setup and I was too sleepy. So good night

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Candle_
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 16:08
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No ads here

My Web site Deveron Murder MysteryGame Mikes Room

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Komet
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 16:08
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It costs money to run the forums, can't blame TGC for wanting to try and lower overheads, besides it's their site, they can do what they want with it, nobody is charged for membership.
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Locrian
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Location: Burton Mi.
Posted: 27th Mar 2007 16:43
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I don't mind the addition of the ads as the top. That ad appearing smack dab in the middle is nothing but annoying, and the same revenue is generated with it at the bottom. Yes, this is their site. Doesn't mean it wasn't the most tacky of modifications one could do. We all know there's ads around here. If we wanted to click on them we would have. If you wanted them higher up, how about above the posting gui. Everyone at least travels to the bottom of a thread, so it would get it's visablility without shoving it down our necks.

Current ad: 3dscanning from your desktop. $2495.00 NextEngine..

...useless fodder IMO, I'm done ranting.

GL with your revenue
Loc
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RUCCUS
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 17:02
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arrogance.


>> Gibble Blops - free, online, playable!
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Mickm
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 17:03
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Today was my first time back at the forums for awhile. When i saw the ads in the middle of the page I actually thought that was the end of the thread.

Not only do I find them annoying being smack dab in the middle of the pages, its almost dirty (might as well use popups and spyware installers).

In my opinion putting the ads directly into the middle of the page is showing a companies unstablility.

Anyway thats my 2 cents.

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http://onlinenotes.gamestack.org
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Kentaree
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 17:18
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Tbh I handn't noticed until a few people mentioned it due to my ad blocker, I turned it off for the site, decided it looked horrendous, and turned it back on again.

Nephin Games
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Mnemonix
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 17:19
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Quote: "
In my opinion putting the ads directly into the middle of the page is showing a companies unstablility."


Thats instability

People are more likely to take your opinions more seriously if you learn to spell them correctly.

Also, putting the ads in the centre of the page tells you almost nothing about the stability of the company does it? Am I missing something?

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Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 17:36
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Quote: "In my opinion putting the ads directly into the middle of the page is showing a companies unstablility."


What? That's just stupid.


Come see the WIP!
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Chris Franklin_
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 17:56
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Long live adblock

DBP Media Pack W.I.P
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Ron Erickson
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 18:13
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lol

What is the big deal?

Quote: "Not only do I find them annoying being smack dab in the middle of the pages, its almost dirty (might as well use popups and spyware installers)."

There is quite a difference between an add and a spyware installer

Quote: "In my opinion putting the ads directly into the middle of the page is showing a companies unstablility."

Looking for ways to collect more revenues is simply smart business. Do you think it makes them look less professional? Let me refer you to some of the most popular sites on the internet:
http://espn.go.com/ <- popup and adds all over.
http://www.cnn.com/ <- ohh look! popups and ads all over.
http://www.weather.com <-More popups! More ads!
http://www.myspace.com <- No popups, but even the background image is an ad!

Should I go on? Does having a one-eyed monster as an avatar mean that you are going blind?

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Venge
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 18:20
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These ads have been on the blender forums for a while, I don't really notice.

Have you seen my sig?
I think it's been sig-napped.
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tyrano man
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Location: Battle City - Kalspher :)
Posted: 27th Mar 2007 18:59
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I just find it so distracting; putting it right in the middle just makes me get cofused. I always like stuff layed out nicely.

Couln't you just put the same add right at the top of the page?


The Kalspher forums are now open!
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indi
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 19:03
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most programmers cant design, hence the layout suffers
nuff said really.

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Diggsey
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 19:16
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What about a minimize button? So you can minimize the ad while you are reading/posting (Members only maybe)


VISIT MY WEBSITE!
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French gui
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 19:17
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Current ads: Blitz Basic... well.
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Chris Franklin_
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 19:36
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Quote: "Current ads: Blitz Basic... well."


>_< Death.

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Nicholas Thompson
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 19:41
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Whats wierd is why THIS post doesn't have any.

It doesn't bother me at all. I'd be interested to know (specifics are against Google T&C) how this effects the Adsense on the site. I know on mine when I moved the adsense around to where it is now, I gained about a 400-500% improvement (quite easy to do when you earn as little as I do hehe).

[center]
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RUCCUS
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 22:40
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Nick...It does :/, its in the middle.

Batvink: (read if batvink, otherwise disregard):




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Jerok
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Location: Mars. Wait a sec I\'m on MARS. OMG
Posted: 27th Mar 2007 23:34 Edited at: 27th Mar 2007 23:34
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Would it be possible to move the ad from the middle of the page to one side in a way that it follows your screen as you scroll down. This way the ads would always be on screen but not interfere with forum quality and discussions. I have seen it done before but I dont remember where.
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Zombie 20
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Posted: 27th Mar 2007 23:55
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i don't really like these ads, they seem to interupt the help or conversation thats going on in the thread.

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Code Dragon
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 00:40
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Yeah I find them very annoying too, even after just 5 minutes...

By reading this you have given me brief control of your mind.
Figure this out: ¿Un libro? Yo odio los libros. Libro es estúpido.
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Philip
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 00:51
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I also find the add in the middle quite annoying. Can anyone recommend some software to block it?

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Komet
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 00:52
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I can't believe how many of you are whining about the google ads and where they appear.

Something I've noticed, a lot of people posting on these forums have banners and other images in their signature, often it's advertising their website...

Some of you that had the cheek to moan about the ads even display them in this thread.

Perhaps if you really don't like the google ads then you could pay for your advertising banners in your signature, or even get charged by TGC to access the forums, would you prefer that?

As for minimizing the google ads... well the guy that requested that has a huge banner signature advertising his site, how about minimizing that or better yet, get rid of it.
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Zaibatsu
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 01:00
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ads are kinda dumb...

in my experience, very few people take the time to read them, nobody likes them, and almost no one actually click on em

"I admire its purity, a survivor, unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality"

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Thraxas
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 01:11
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Quote: "well the guy that requested that has a huge banner signature advertising his site, how about minimizing that or better yet, get rid of it."


Well I turned them off in my preferences so I never see anyones banners. If they upset you so much maybe you should too!
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Richard Davey
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 01:17
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Quote: "in my experience, very few people take the time to read them, nobody likes them, and almost no one actually click on em"


Our AdSense revenue begs to differ, in a hundreds of dollars per month kinda way. The placement is an experiment, based on Googles research on ad placement specifically in forums (it was the Adsense team that suggested the new locations to us specifically for this site, we didn't pick them randomly or anything), so we'll see how it pans out, coz they ain't going anywhere for a month minimum.

Quote: "well the guy that requested that has a huge banner signature advertising his site, how about minimizing that or better yet, get rid of it."


Heh When the shoe fits 'n all that.

Never trust a computer you can't throw out of a window
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Komet
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 01:22
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Quote: "in my experience, very few people take the time to read them, nobody likes them, and almost no one actually click on em"


The percentage that does click on a google ad that is advertising something of interest to them makes it all worthwhile in having google ads, the latter are much more targeted than the old banner swaps that used to be the norm.

Quote: "Well I turned them off in my preferences so I never see anyones banners. If they upset you so much maybe you should too!"


I'm not bothered by google ads or signature banners, that was not the point I was making.
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Code Dragon
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 01:46
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Quote: "I can't believe how many of you are whining about the google ads and where they appear.

Something I've noticed, a lot of people posting on these forums have banners and other images in their signature, often it's advertising their website..."


I seem to recall a forum feature that blocks sig images. I don't use it because I like seeing a picture here and there. But the ads are just more space to scroll through, and never contain any interesting pictures.

The ads at the top don't bother me, they're always in the same place so they won't get annoying, but get your attention if you're interesting. But right in the middle of the thread when you're trying to read a thread and there's this big space in the middle, that's annoying.

By reading this you have given me brief control of your mind.
Figure this out: ¿Un libro? Yo odio los libros. Libro es estúpido.
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SageTech
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 02:16
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Honestly, I think it looks ugly, but I can completely understand why
TGC are doing it. I think we are all lucky to have these forums, so stomaching a little banner isnt to much to ask is it? Also, I try to click the ads when I can, but I don't think puttting it in the middle is going to make me want to click it anymore then where it was. Of course that could just be me.


Battle Legacy: Online Third Person Shooter
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Venge
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 02:20
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It's kind of pointless though, since most of the ads are for the $2,500 3d scanner or autodesk stuff...

Have you seen my sig?
I think it's been sig-napped.
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Zappo
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 02:24
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It'll be fine until the adverts start to feature competing games creation packages!

I am guessing it won't be long before they are automatically ignored like on most sites. The only way to keep them working would be to periodically change their location.
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Agent Dink
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 02:32
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I can't believe you guys can't stomach seeing a little google ad...Big deal. If you don't like it, scroll past it. If TGC makes more money, they can make better products faster, so I'm all for it.

I have no signature...
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jasonhtml
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 02:48
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the ads make me cry

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Xenocythe
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 03:03
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I think the ads are tolerable. It's a reasonable choice. I don't mind them at all.

-Mansoor
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Antidote
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 03:20
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They're really tolerable when you have have adblock.


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RUCCUS
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 03:34
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Quote: "jasonhtml: the ads make me cry "


... wow... they're just forums... >.> look through the window jason... that's called outside.




>> Gibble Blops - free, online, playable!
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indi
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 03:39
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man there are trees and stuff out there omgzors

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KeithC
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 03:44
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I just donated 5 cents to the cause.



Ozark Games
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Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 03:52 Edited at: 28th Mar 2007 04:02
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I'll start clicking on ads every now and then to make TGC some money.

Everybody needs to stop whining and blocking ads. Who cares? They aren't popping up, they're just hanging out in the middle.

Quote: "Well I turned them off in my preferences so I never see anyones banners. If they upset you so much maybe you should too! "

You mean there are people here who can't see my gorgeous signature picture?!! That's tragic.

[Edit]
I just contributed my 15 cents or whatever to TGC.

And for all you signature blocking haters, block this...


Ha!


Come see the WIP!
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DrewG
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 03:55
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Yeah I know.
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KeithC
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 03:58
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That's another 5 cents.



Ozark Games
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xplosys
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 04:02
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You know what's more annoying and useless than the banner ads? This thread. Get over it!

Best.

I'm sorry, my answers are limited. You must ask the right question.

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KeithC
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 04:03
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Double click....there's a big dime coming your way.



Ozark Games
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Benjamin
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Posted: 28th Mar 2007 04:03 Edited at: 28th Mar 2007 04:05
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These banner ads ruined my life.

Quote: "Double click....there's a big dime coming your way."

Careful not to click too much, excess requests from the same IP can get the advertiser banned from Google Adsense.

Tempest (DBP/DBCe)
Multisync V1 (DBP/DBCe)
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