Comments on: User Revolt! http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/ About Newshutch and other web development stuff. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:56:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Gordon Brander http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-429 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 11:35:47 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-429 +2 text ads (as it were). I really like the idea of the ads underneath the feed list, if it's reasonable and feasible for you guys. It was actually my first thought when you guys introduced ads. In any case, awesome app. I love using it, and appreciate you guys listening to the people who use it. +2 text ads (as it were).

I really like the idea of the ads underneath the feed list, if it’s reasonable and feasible for you guys. It was actually my first thought when you guys introduced ads.

In any case, awesome app. I love using it, and appreciate you guys listening to the people who use it.

]]> by: dan http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-422 Sat, 26 May 2007 00:56:20 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-422 +1 text ads Smaller individual news items as well. +1 text ads

Smaller individual news items as well.

]]> by: Orri http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-419 Tue, 15 May 2007 02:42:02 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-419 Just the addition of a border would be a huge help, so your eyes aren't tricked into thinking the ad is the end of the feed content, but an independent entity. It would also help if it spanned the whole width of the page, to further distinguish it from rss feeds. My two cents. Just the addition of a border would be a huge help, so your eyes aren’t tricked into thinking the ad is the end of the feed content, but an independent entity. It would also help if it spanned the whole width of the page, to further distinguish it from rss feeds. My two cents.

]]> by: Qvl http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-418 Mon, 14 May 2007 15:07:39 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-418 In between nth posts is fine with me. An ad as big as the logo on the left, underneath the logo would also be OK. I'd rather not see a fee. And no extremely flashy ads please. We're trying to read here. ;) (I was stunned to see that sort at Huffington Post) In between nth posts is fine with me. An ad as big as the logo on the left, underneath the logo would also be OK.
I’d rather not see a fee.

And no extremely flashy ads please. We’re trying to read here. ;) (I was stunned to see that sort at Huffington Post)

]]> by: Neil http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-417 Fri, 11 May 2007 09:03:20 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-417 "Having the ads at the bottom gives the impression that the end of the feed has been reached - I still get that impression even with the tiny ad that is at the bottom now." I agree. It completely interrupts the flow. “Having the ads at the bottom gives the impression that the end of the feed has been reached - I still get that impression even with the tiny ad that is at the bottom now.”

I agree. It completely interrupts the flow.

]]> by: Matt http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-416 Thu, 10 May 2007 18:57:23 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-416 A third column wouldn't be wrong - I reckon you could build a hybrid system: - A skyscraper ad on the right for free users - No ads for paying subscribers If you go all-out and make NH subscription only, you'll lose a big part of your audience, however, if you only offer an ad supported version, then the Advert Haters will snub you. Having the ads at the bottom gives the impression that the end of the feed has been reached - I still get that impression even with the tiny ad that is at the bottom now. Good luck fellas! A third column wouldn’t be wrong - I reckon you could build a hybrid system:

- A skyscraper ad on the right for free users
- No ads for paying subscribers

If you go all-out and make NH subscription only, you’ll lose a big part of your audience, however, if you only offer an ad supported version, then the Advert Haters will snub you.

Having the ads at the bottom gives the impression that the end of the feed has been reached - I still get that impression even with the tiny ad that is at the bottom now.

Good luck fellas!

]]> by: meg http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-414 Tue, 08 May 2007 23:38:28 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-414 I don't mind the current quotebook ad -- it displays continuously, but it doesn't interfere with my reading experience, so everybody wins. Barring that, I'd say an ad every nth feed. The other possibilities seem suboptimal. I'd probably try other free readers (I've only used this and the wretched Bloglines) before I ponied up the lincolns (sorry!). I don’t mind the current quotebook ad — it displays continuously, but it doesn’t interfere with my reading experience, so everybody wins. Barring that, I’d say an ad every nth feed. The other possibilities seem suboptimal. I’d probably try other free readers (I’ve only used this and the wretched Bloglines) before I ponied up the lincolns (sorry!).

]]> by: Rob http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-413 Tue, 08 May 2007 17:18:16 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-413 Depending on how many pageviews you get per day, you can apply to a CPM network like ValueClick; they pay around $0.20-0.30 per 1,000 impressions so we don't have to click the ads to make you money. They offer all of the popular ad formats. Depending on how many pageviews you get per day, you can apply to a CPM network like ValueClick; they pay around $0.20-0.30 per 1,000 impressions so we don’t have to click the ads to make you money. They offer all of the popular ad formats.

]]> by: Nathan http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-412 Tue, 08 May 2007 17:09:16 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-412 Another thing, does anyone have any experience with implementing ads that work with dynamic content? We could just slap Google ads in, but they would likely just be PSAs or random silliness. Google ads work great for "static" content like blogs but not so well for application style sites like Newshutch. Another thing, does anyone have any experience with implementing ads that work with dynamic content? We could just slap Google ads in, but they would likely just be PSAs or random silliness. Google ads work great for “static” content like blogs but not so well for application style sites like Newshutch.

]]> by: Nathan http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-411 Tue, 08 May 2007 17:03:29 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-411 Here's what on my brain: 1: Some sort of ad and sponsored "subscribe" links on the "Welcome page". 2: Ads in between every nth feed entry with a maximum of 2 per feed. These would be part of the scroll. 3: What kind of extra features would be worth paying for? 4: We add users in fits and spurts depending on who links to us or reviews us. We don't do any official promotion beyond word of mouth. I was thinking about this: The top two or three websites that give us traffic that results in new users could have free ad space. The only thing is that I wouldn't want previously impartial and spontaneous reviews to be corrupted. It would have to be some standard banner or something. Any thoughts on this? A skyscraper on the right could work, but adding another column feels wrong somehow. I will talk to our host and see if I can wrangle a price break for placement out of them. We'll investigate more cost effective options like grid hosts. Thanks for the offering advice Andrew Sutherland, I might take you up on it. <a href="http://quizlet.com" rel="nofollow">Quizlet</a> looks really cool, I wish they had the internet when I was in school :) Thanks to everyone for feedback and comments. Here’s what on my brain:

1: Some sort of ad and sponsored “subscribe” links on the “Welcome page”.

2: Ads in between every nth feed entry with a maximum of 2 per feed. These would be part of the scroll.

3: What kind of extra features would be worth paying for?

4: We add users in fits and spurts depending on who links to us or reviews us. We don’t do any official promotion beyond word of mouth. I was thinking about this: The top two or three websites that give us traffic that results in new users could have free ad space. The only thing is that I wouldn’t want previously impartial and spontaneous reviews to be corrupted. It would have to be some standard banner or something. Any thoughts on this?

A skyscraper on the right could work, but adding another column feels wrong somehow.

I will talk to our host and see if I can wrangle a price break for placement out of them.

We’ll investigate more cost effective options like grid hosts. Thanks for the offering advice Andrew Sutherland, I might take you up on it. Quizlet looks really cool, I wish they had the internet when I was in school :)

Thanks to everyone for feedback and comments.

]]> by: Chris http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-410 Tue, 08 May 2007 16:33:23 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-410 Two words: text ads. Huge graphic image ads are unbelievably distracting, especially since the entire rest of the site is text only. Also, please don't forget those of us that read Newshutch via a relatively low resolution mobile phone. I would vote for a well identified simple text ad after every nth post, or before the feed entries (at the top). Google works well with text only ads, and since they are context sensitive as well, it means that I am much more likely to actually find an ad to be of interest. Incidentally, have you considered just using Google's AdSense service for your ads? Two words: text ads. Huge graphic image ads are unbelievably distracting, especially since the entire rest of the site is text only. Also, please don’t forget those of us that read Newshutch via a relatively low resolution mobile phone. I would vote for a well identified simple text ad after every nth post, or before the feed entries (at the top).

Google works well with text only ads, and since they are context sensitive as well, it means that I am much more likely to actually find an ad to be of interest. Incidentally, have you considered just using Google’s AdSense service for your ads?

]]> by: Andy http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-409 Tue, 08 May 2007 15:55:07 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-409 I agree with the overall sentiment that the ads detract greatly from the user experience. I don't even like the small "quotations" ad currently displayed at the bottom of the page. It really takes away from the simplicity and clean lines of Newshutch and still uses valuable space. It seems that any ad ought not to be in the "direct path" of the reading column, but would be better placed under the feed column. What about ads on the welcome page and also a "donations" link at the top of the page with your other links? I really like Newshutch, and any ads below the news items is just too "cheesy", in my opinion. That being said, I realize you have to cover your costs and nothing's "free". Newshutch is really a standout product in the vast array of RSS reader options, and I for one would hate to see it marred with ads. I agree with the overall sentiment that the ads detract greatly from the user experience. I don’t even like the small “quotations” ad currently displayed at the bottom of the page. It really takes away from the simplicity and clean lines of Newshutch and still uses valuable space. It seems that any ad ought not to be in the “direct path” of the reading column, but would be better placed under the feed column. What about ads on the welcome page and also a “donations” link at the top of the page with your other links? I really like Newshutch, and any ads below the news items is just too “cheesy”, in my opinion. That being said, I realize you have to cover your costs and nothing’s “free”. Newshutch is really a standout product in the vast array of RSS reader options, and I for one would hate to see it marred with ads.

]]> by: Adrian Lansdown http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-408 Tue, 08 May 2007 11:31:12 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-408 So glad that banner ad has gone. I agree with the $5 a month subscription idea. So glad that banner ad has gone.

I agree with the $5 a month subscription idea.

]]> by: Mark J. http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-407 Tue, 08 May 2007 10:34:03 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-407 Semms to me, you have the perfect place for a 336 x 280 px Large Rectangle (http://www.iab.net/standards/adunits.asp) just below the scrollable feed-list (left side). I did not mind the ad that much and I would even mind it less below the feed list. Keep up the great work! Semms to me, you have the perfect place for a 336 x 280 px Large Rectangle (http://www.iab.net/standards/adunits.asp) just below the scrollable feed-list (left side). I did not mind the ad that much and I would even mind it less below the feed list.

Keep up the great work!

]]> by: Luke http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-406 Tue, 08 May 2007 09:12:46 +0000 http://newshutch.com/2007/05/07/user-revolt/#comment-406 As soon as I saw the new ad placement I started looking for the subscribe button so that I could get rid of them. I guess that means that I am more than happy to pay for an uncluttered Newshutch service. The suggestion above of $5 a month seemed a bit much for me, but I then realised that I probably use this site more than any other on the web (as it's always open in my browser, always updating my feeds), so it seems a none too bad deal (especially as $5 is only about 50p for us Brits these days :-)) As soon as I saw the new ad placement I started looking for the subscribe button so that I could get rid of them. I guess that means that I am more than happy to pay for an uncluttered Newshutch service.

The suggestion above of $5 a month seemed a bit much for me, but I then realised that I probably use this site more than any other on the web (as it’s always open in my browser, always updating my feeds), so it seems a none too bad deal (especially as $5 is only about 50p for us Brits these days :-) )

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