The Escapist's New Layout

[hooksashands]

Okay. Wow. I've seen some bad layouts before, but this one takes the cake.

Our entire front page is being squeezed from top to sides in an advertisement for The Secret World. Does this bother anyone? I thought sites were supposed to contain ads. Instead, an ad contains our site. By EA, no less.

To add (ha ha) insult to injury, there's a small banner for the exact same thing in the linkspace next to forum posts. Y'know, in case you somehow missed the giant one surrounding everything.

Redundant much?

I wouldn't even be that mad except you can clearly see how it breaks the forum highlight box.

 

[Able Seacat]

I'm not sure but I think going premium removes the ads.

 

[hooksashands]

The site needs a way to make money.

Translation: Let EA buy us out.

Besides if you're bothered by it so much install an ad blocker.

I shouldn't need to. An advertisement doesn't bother me. An obnoxious ad that literally breaks the front page bothers me.

I'm not sure but I think going premium removes the ads.

When it comes down to it, that $20 is better spent on pizza and a movie ticket.

 

[Esotera]

The only thing that irritates me about this layout is that when you receive a message, it's quite easy to accidentally bring up the forums menu which then prevents you from clicking on it. Asides from that, this is definitely my favourite layout so far - it's perfect.

 

[Lucem712]

Well, if you don't want to support the site, then just put up with the Ads. They aren't even that big a deal. The only time I even noticed them was that day or two that they were advertisements for that Porn streaming service on the PS3.

I think the layout is fantastic and runs surprisingly well. (For me at least) I mean, on the last layout, it wasn't even worth it to try and come on Wednesday.

 

[StriderShinryu]

The layout is fine and functional once you know where everything is.. as long as you can ignore the absolutely giant pointless auto scrolling image menu at the top.

 

[WoahDan]

Its not the ads that bother me, the layout is making things really hard to find. Its not a problem for regulars like us as we have that shit memorised but I would not be surprised if the newbies are turned off by it.If I was just introduced to the site now I would be.

 

[lord.jeff]

The site needs a way to make money.

Translation: Let EA buy us out.

Translation: the escapist is a business, if they don't have ads how do you expect them to pay for content?

 

[TheCaptain]

It takes quite some more time to load on mobile devices though. And I haven't been able to figure out how to get to a series' page without going to one of their entries first. I liked the popup menues from the old layout that let you - for example - open the overview of all the Miracle of Sound videos directly from the main page.

Also, the huge auto-scrolling header needs to go. If I'm interested, I will find it and I will read it, so no need to shove it in my face.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

The site needs a way to make money.

I realize the site needs to make money, but the ads should never ever detract from the sites main content. Nor should they be obnoxious and annoying. Obnoxious and annoying ads actually DIScourage me from buying the product/service/whatever. It'll be a wonder if advertisers'll ever get that through their thick skulls.

 

[Firia]

The site needs a way to make money. Besides if you're bothered by it so much install an ad blocker.

I actually thought this was a reasonable comment and suggestion. It was a little attitude ridden, but what commented doesn't on this forum from time to time. I think the mod warning here is a bit much. He's not suggesting piracy. He's suggesting the use of legal and legitimate software.

 

[YingDerpington]

We have lots of ads...? It would seem that I am completely oblivious and unaware of them than. This layouts been here for a while and I haven't had a single thought related to ads on this site... Or even noticed them for that matter.

 

[tippy2k2]

The site needs a way to make money. Besides if you're bothered by it so much install an ad blocker.

I actually thought this was a reasonable comment and suggestion. It was a little attitude ridden, but what commented doesn't on this forum from time to time. I think the mod warning here is a bit much. He's not suggesting piracy. He's suggesting the use of legal and legitimate software.

From The Escapist Code of Conduct (under heading Use Our Forums Appropriately):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Similarly, posts including, advocating, or linking to illegal or adult material are a very quick way to end your time as part of The Escapist community. An example of these are:
Piracy
Ad Blockers
Illegal Drugs in the United States
Illegal Acts in the United States
Pedophilia
Pornography
Sexist, Racist or Perverted Remarks
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That is why he got the warning (I'm surprised too, Total LOLige has been here plenty long enough that he'd get a warning for that). Ad Blockers may be legal software but the promotion of them in the forums is against the rules. When you use an Ad blocker, it blocks the cash-money that The Escapist gets for the ads.

OP: Yes, ads are here. Join the Publisher's Club [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/registration/subscribe] or sit back and enjoy/ignore the ads. They gotta keep the lights on somehow but if you've got a better idea to do this, feel free to let everyone know.

 

[Total LOLige]

The site needs a way to make money. Besides if you're bothered by it so much install an ad blocker.

I actually thought this was a reasonable comment and suggestion. It was a little attitude ridden, but what commented doesn't on this forum from time to time. I think the mod warning here is a bit much. He's not suggesting piracy. He's suggesting the use of legal and legitimate software.

From The Escapist Code of Conduct (under heading Use Our Forums Appropriately):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Similarly, posts including, advocating, or linking to illegal or adult material are a very quick way to end your time as part of The Escapist community. An example of these are:
Piracy
Ad Blockers
Illegal Drugs in the United States
Illegal Acts in the United States
Pedophilia
Pornography
Sexist, Racist or Perverted Remarks
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That is why he got the warning (I'm surprised too, Total LOLige has been here plenty long enough that he'd get a warning for that). Ad Blockers may be legal software but the promotion of them in the forums is against the rules. When you use an Ad blocker, it blocks the cash-money that The Escapist gets for the ads.

I was surprised that I had a warning when I logged on today. I didn't know that suggesting ad blockers were against the rules, I'm sure that I'd seen members posting suggestions of ad blockers when these ads first appeared. I don't mind the ads that much, they give the background a bit of variety.

OT: PubClub removes ads and I hear there's a secret forum for Pub Club members only.

 

[tippy2k2]

I was surprised that I had a warning when I logged on today. I didn't know that suggesting ad blockers were against the rules, I'm sure that I'd seen members posting suggestions of ad blockers when these ads first appeared. I don't mind the ads that much, they give the background a bit of variety.

OT: PubClub removes ads and I hear there's a secret forum for Pub Club members only.

Well that kind of sucks if you didn't know but it's your first warning so I'm sure you'll be on your best behavior from now on. Two years with one warning (that I can see at least), I'm sure you'll get it knocked out in six months : )

There was a giant killing field of a thread a long while ago. Warnings, suspensions, bans everywhere...the horror....the horror. Anyway, in that thread they (I believe it was a Mod but it might not have been) gave a nice long explanation for WHY Ad Blockers are banned and if I can find it, I'll kick it into this thread. It may have been nuked from the site...