dr
In response to rudyk's post, I thought that perhaps further explanation is required as to what brought the whole ad thing on. But before I go further, let me say that first and foremost, I'm not trying to make a profit; not at all. The Google ads are an attempt at cost recovery. I have always maintained that the site will be free to use and for the past six and a half years the site has also been free of advertising. But maintaining the site isn't free nor is continuing development of the site.
You may have noticed that the site hasn't been updated since January 2005 and that the postal code database is a couple years out of date. And there are hundreds of unanswered emails in my CMT inbox that will likely never get answered. This is mostly because I'm really busy. But it's also because I already bear costs for the server (and it's maintenance) and internet connection. I do that because I like having my own server to host my personal websites and email. But I can't simply afford to buy a new postal code database every year (or the USA zip code DB for that matter).
In 2002, when I wrote this message the site had some pretty heavy traffic, but nothing like today. And at the time also, most ads found on various websites were pop-up windows, flashing text, big images or combination thereof. And I still maintain that I will not have those intrusive kinds of ads on the site ever. Since I wrote that email, I've changed service providers twice and upgraded the server. Not to mention all the hours I've put in.
I could solicit donations but as I've said before, I hate taking money from individual users because when you do that, there needs to be some accountability. That's not to say I would waste the money, but with donations there is often the feeling of 'I've donated now where are the results?' But with AdSense we have a system that will hopefully pay for a new PC database every year and doesn't cost the users anything. It's free for all… still. On a related note, the WW site has a 'Friends of the Site' program, which is similar to donation and asks for $9 per user per month. That's $108 per year. I love CMT to death but I can't honestly see myself paying that amount to use the site (and I'm the developer).
You obviously can't always please everyone, and while rudyk's actions obviously count (and are important to me), I don't think it's fair to simply give up without a trial run. And there will likely be some users (regular or otherwise) who view the ads as a commercialization, but as sad as it is, the world is like that. Even CBC Online has advertisements now, but I'm okay with it as I like to think that the ads result in better content. Like everyone else, I respect rudyk's stand but hope he reconsiders his decision.
And for the truly cynical, I promise to report (to those that care) how much money was generated and what the money was used for (in order of desires: updated PC database, USA zip code database, pay a designer to create some other 'looks'). In fact, I think we will have a vote and I will use the money on what you decide I should use it on.
I don't know how this will work out and only time will tell. Perhaps we'll get a couple hundred dollars and it will pay for our yearly postal code update will be paid for. And what if this system generates a couple thousand dollars? We could spend what we need and donate the rest to charity. Or organize a gathering and have it sponsored so there were no costs to anyone. Realistically, the possibilities are endless. And at no hard cost to users other than a few ads on the left hand side of the screen.
Update: Should the trial prove successful and we decide to keep the ads, I will set up the site to allow anyone who is absolutely dead-set against the ads to 'opt out' when I release the next version of the site.
-dr
