to type this on my Android based phone (Samsung Captivate) but I did want to throw it out there to Carl and Co. that I have hit the in the past few weeks via my [smart]phone while killing time somewhere and it looks stunning, even in the small screen format offered by today's standards. I miss adblockplus in FireFox, but the site looks great from a mobile device. If things [business] stay glued together for the next week or two, my next post will hopefully be via SeaTel. Kudos.
Hi PB, Out of sympathy, I'm typing this post on my iPhone. Thanks for the kudos on YF's banners, which brings me to a story. Like you, I'm not a fan of ads either, so for YF's banner program, I've stuck to a strict protocol that includes NO flash and no billboards. I don't want any advertiser here bad enough to place distracting ads that readers would resent. I don't know if anyone noticed, but we don't have a Google AdSense/AdWord program here either. While it could be a nice source of revenue, I don't want YF cluttered up, looking like a collage ripped from a Websters dictionary. Which brings me to my story... We've lost a couple of accounts because I've declined banners that didn't meet certain guidelines. One of these accounts was Huckins. The art director wasn't happy with me because I declined a banner that was nothing more than a picture of a cleat. After 7 years, I've learned a thing or three about which banners will generate interest. The click-thru rate would have been dismal, thereby lowering YF's stats. In another case, I declined Raymarine because the URL supplied (as a hyperlink) took readers to a sign up page, requesting your name, address, number and email. I thought it was wrong to "herd" readers into a database corral. They promptly let me know that's the last time Raymarine would work with us, which was fine by me. I won't be pushed around by corporate bullies. YF is OUR community. The builders that advertise here were chosen to compliment the community. And their banners are designed to "fit-in", not stand out or distract. It helps that they build beautiful boats and the product is the centerpiece in each banner. Again, as part of my protocol. Thought I would share...
Whenever I end up on a sign-up link for someone who wants to sell me anything I hit "close". Why should I voluntarily put myself on a mailing list (or worse, somehow sign up for some useless service for which I'll be charged) just to look at a product? I also stay far away from the site that lead me there. Keep up the good work.
Me too. I agree totally. Good work Carl. FWIW, I really like the voice/text entry on my Motorola Droid 2. I have the fattest of fat fingers.
