I can deal with popunders for a while if it keeps the site up.
[1] This facsimile operated in part by synAC.I know this was awhile back, but since nobody responded to the point: what about making the Donate button more visible, such as adding a "Donate" link to the bottom of the "Troperville" left menu, and revamping the Donate page into its own full-length (and locked) article rather than just the current two lines and a Paypal link? Right now, the easiest way I know to find the Donate page is to come to the forums and click on certain troper signatures. I know it can't replace Google's ads, but most tropers who aren't forum members probably aren't aware that donations are even an option, much less that the site costs so much to run. Just having the Donate button visible on most screens would greatly increase traffic through that page, and donations would be sure to increase as well.
The same revamped page could also explain how the site's kept alive by ads, and encourage people to click through them for any purchases they'd like to make anyway.
edited 29th Oct '10 12:38:23 PM by BritBllt
"And for the first time in weeks, I felt the boredom go away!"Random question: Are we still doing a click through page for external links on the wiki? I know there was talk of putting up a "You are now leaving Tv Tropes, we not responsible for this content" kind of thing, but I don't know if it ever got more elaboration.
Reaction Image RepositoryI was under the impression that there was a minimum donation code-enforced in some fashion, now.
"Proto-Indo-European makes the damnedest words related. It's great. It's the Kevin Bacon of etymology." ~MadrugadaOkay, well, could the mod who skipped right over my message to respond to another question in this thread offer some kind of official feedback on why this is a bad idea? I'm trying to think of ways to help the site, and it feels like I'm shouting into the void.
edited 29th Oct '10 1:02:11 PM by BritBllt
"And for the first time in weeks, I felt the boredom go away!"Mad probably didn't reply directly because blackcat is probably exactly correct and thus Mad would only be repeating what has already been said. The mods don't necessarily feel the need to weigh in "officially" on every suggestion - most of their posting is done unofficially as ordinary users.
BTW, I'm a chick.blackcat may not be a mod, but she's exactly right about why the donate button was moved off the main sidebar. We had a vandal who thought that it was hilariously funny to donate $1.00, then demand a refund immediately. The admins were spending huge amounts of time dealing with it, because each refund required a bunch of forms to be filled out and submitted.
@Brt Bllt: We'll look at that after this initial crunch. The fixed-donation button could be more visible without the risk of vandals, I think. They very nearly got our paypal account suspended, before. Took Janitor on the phone from Switzerland in her best wheedle mode to prevent that.
edited 29th Oct '10 1:08:13 PM by FastEddie
Goal: Clear, Concise and Witty![]()
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Blackcat's answer is correct. Troper Demographics also indicates that the majority of our users are likely to be turned off by a donation-only scheme and/or lack the finances to support the site in the long term.
edited 29th Oct '10 1:07:01 PM by Fighteer
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"I see.
Maybe making the donation page registration-only would help stop people like that, but as Yami said, that can come after the crisis has passed, and increasing donations alone probably wouldn't be enough financially anyway.
(Ninja'd, but that reply works for Eddie and Fighteer too - thanks all.)
edited 29th Oct '10 1:12:23 PM by BritBllt
"And for the first time in weeks, I felt the boredom go away!"Tv Tropes becoming a foundation makes me think of Asimov's Foundation trilogy, and that gives me the mental image of Tv Tropes as the last refuge of science, technology, etc. With Janitor as Hari Selden and Fast Eddie as Salvor Hardin. Pretty cool.
@Fighteer: You're exactly right about the troper demographics.
^ Wow. Even Madrugada is scared of Janitor in Wheedle Mode. Madrugada for pete's sake!
edited 29th Oct '10 1:35:53 PM by AlirozTheConfused
Never be without a Hat! Hot means heat. I don't care if your usage dates to 1300, it's my word, not yours. My Pm box is open.I got a pop-under as well. My pop-up blocker sucks.
And the ads I'm seeing are nothing but Evony and some "change your computer cursor" place. Even if it helps keep the wiki up, it's annoying as hell.
Let's Play Final Fantasy IV!

Clearly, Fast Eddie needs to go wave a big stick or something at Casale Media. (Yep, it's them doing it.)
Expergiscēre cras, medior quam hodie. (Awaken tomorrow, better than today.)