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blackcat Since: Apr, 2009
#526: Apr 7th 2012 at 9:22:36 AM

We use more than one ad provider, the one that generates the most revenue is the one that went away. So, no change.

edited 7th Apr '12 9:23:53 AM by blackcat

abstractematics Since: May, 2011
#527: Apr 7th 2012 at 9:25:08 AM

@#506

Thank you, robster 2001. That's what I'm talking about. This pressing issue is, I believe, part of a general concern regarding the identity and direction of the wiki, as I've stated here.

And I really think we should consider the potential of making use of wikimedia software, if not migrate to that system entirely. Some, like Mario Wiki and Touhou Wiki, have done very well gaining independence (from Wikia) and establish useful wiki site. The wiki software allows sleek and organized content while still being invaluable source of information to the respective fandoms.

edited 7th Apr '12 9:26:33 AM by abstractematics

Now using Trivialis handle.
SCMof2814 Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: I don't mind being locked in this eternal maze!
#528: Apr 7th 2012 at 9:55:50 AM

But this system is INFINITELY easier to use!

SilentReverence adopting kitteh from 3 tiles right 1 tile up Since: Jan, 2010
adopting kitteh
#529: Apr 7th 2012 at 9:59:49 AM

All systems are infinitely easier to use if you have been already using them.

Mediawiki and other wiki engines have the advantage of being public, shared, tested and in some cases audited code bases, but setting up to even start moving content in some of them can be a PITA. Migrating to Mediawiki, for example, might require an entire reengineering of the database backend.

Fanfic Recs orwellianretcon'd: cutlocked for committee or for Google?
Sixthhokage1 Since: Feb, 2013
#530: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:16:44 AM

Migrating to MW would be a major pain in the ass due to backend differences with PMWiki. PMWiki stores pages as flat files, while MediaWiki stores them in a database, so pages would have to be moved and syntax changed manually.

edited 7th Apr '12 10:17:50 AM by Sixthhokage1

lu127 Paper Master from 異界 Since: Sep, 2011 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
#531: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:18:33 AM

I think we've stated that pm wiki is an Artifact Title as far as the site is concerned. They've been so many changes, it's barely a pm wiki anymore.

I might be wrong on that though.

"If you aren't him, then you apparently got your brain from the same discount retailer, so..." - Fighteer
TwoGunAngel The Demon Slayer Since: Jul, 2010 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Demon Slayer
#532: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:19:51 AM

Yeah, and then there's the formatting to deal with. pmwiki's formatting (or more accurately, the formatting that this wiki uses) is not the same formatting that Wikia and various other wikis use.

edited 7th Apr '12 10:20:32 AM by TwoGunAngel

ThatHuman someone from someplace Since: Jun, 2010
someone
#533: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:19:52 AM

[up][up] I think it is something like that. But this site is far from being MediaWiki as well.

edited 7th Apr '12 10:20:05 AM by ThatHuman

something
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#534: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:20:25 AM

I am not really a programmer, but I've heard that such a migration was considered in the past bur rejected because of the immense coding nightmare.

Also, this site's software has been modified so much over the years that moving the site to a different format without losing the functionality would be a huge undertaking.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
shimaspawn from Here and Now Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: In your bunk
#535: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:20:59 AM

Any moving would be a huge labour intensive thing. It would not make things easier in any sense of the word for anyone.

Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#536: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:22:23 AM

Yeah, migrating the wiki is far more of a pain than cutting stuff or moving the forums.

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Psyga315 Since: Jan, 2001
#537: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:26:39 AM

Yeah, I more prefer moving the forums than just cutting it off.

FastEddie Since: Apr, 2004
#538: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:26:40 AM

Catbert: After the last scare, we diversified our ad providers so that we were not totally at the mercy of Google. They now provide about a third of our revenue. The ads you are seeing are from the other providers. We are shopping for an additional ad provider to close the Google gap, should it be permanent. If we can replace them altogether, we certainly will.

Goal: Clear, Concise and Witty
SilentReverence adopting kitteh from 3 tiles right 1 tile up Since: Jan, 2010
adopting kitteh
#539: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:28:38 AM

Uh... The discussion of a possible wiki engine move is better suited for Tech Wishlist and others, I guess...

Fanfic Recs orwellianretcon'd: cutlocked for committee or for Google?
Catbert Since: Jan, 2012
#540: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:35:19 AM

In the meantime, does it help the site if I make a point of clicking on ads once or twice a day?

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#541: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:36:09 AM

[up]No. That would be click fraud, I heard somewhere.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Catbert Since: Jan, 2012
#542: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:37:50 AM

So I should only click through if I actually pay for something?

Considering how rarely anything is advertised that is worth buying, and not like I have a lot of money to spare.

ThatHuman someone from someplace Since: Jun, 2010
someone
#543: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:39:46 AM

Well, the best way to directly support the wiki is by donating.

something
Psyga315 Since: Jan, 2001
#544: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:40:11 AM

Yeah, most of the ads I got were full of insurance and other stuff that I am not interested in.

[up] Not really. There was this trolling incident where someone payed five bucks, then asked for a refund, and then repeated. Nearly costed TV Tropes the paypal account.

edited 7th Apr '12 10:41:01 AM by Psyga315

SilentReverence adopting kitteh from 3 tiles right 1 tile up Since: Jan, 2010
adopting kitteh
#545: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:43:35 AM

Can't donations be designated nonrefundable? If you are donating you are giving away, not lending or something.

Fanfic Recs orwellianretcon'd: cutlocked for committee or for Google?
Catbert Since: Jan, 2012
#546: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:44:07 AM

I'm a little vague as to how anyone is supposed to tell the difference between "I click on it to support the website" and "I clicked on it because the ad attracted my interest".

Now, if we had a special efforts thread to organize clicking on ads, or a script to simulate clicking on websites, that would be an issue.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#547: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:44:43 AM

[up][up]Not without some "confirmation" page, methinks. What does happen if you accidentally donate something?

[up]I'd rather not risk it.

edited 7th Apr '12 10:45:01 AM by SeptimusHeap

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
BobbyG vigilantly taxonomish from England Since: Jan, 2001
vigilantly taxonomish
#548: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:47:34 AM

^^ Well, the fact that you just said you were planning on doing it, for one.

But also, they keep track of patterns in users' clicks. Every time you access a site running ads they get a bunch of feedback about your browsing preferences.

Seriously, don't commit click fraud. It is a criminal offence.

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ThatHuman someone from someplace Since: Jun, 2010
someone
#549: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:47:52 AM

Regarding ads: See, the money has to come from somewhere. If advertisers don't get money despite all the clicks, yet they still have to pay, they'll be less interested in advertising here. If you click on ads just because you expect them to pay for the site means you're expecting companies to throw away money.

edited 7th Apr '12 10:48:42 AM by ThatHuman

something
MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#550: Apr 7th 2012 at 10:49:33 AM

If the migration is a logistical nightmare, then how the hell did the Unofficial TV Tropes Mirror Wiki manage to transplant so many articles to the Mediawiki system/format?

... Or did that site implode upon itself when I wasn't looking?

Not without some "confirmation" page, methinks. What does happen if you accidentally donate something?
Then why don't we have such a page?

edited 7th Apr '12 10:51:49 AM by MarqFJA

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.

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