User Support & Resources - ATTN MODS (and users): New tool to help teach users about stickies

It's a recurring theme on most all message forums -- frequently asked questions by members, and how to best get them to notice them.

Some people search and read stickies to find the answers themselves, and if they don't find the answer will ask. We love these folks.

Some others have a little patience, so they search once or twice, but not finding the answer in a couple minutes will post to ask. They're on the right track, and probably just need some guidance on how to better find things -- or we need to improve whatever systems we have to make things easier to find. This is probably the bulk, and where much time is focused.

Then, there's those users who pass right over every sticky, pass right over search, and just post without looking for anything themselves. These are the ones you see in this forum every day, asking why their post count isn't going up and such. We still want to help these people, but we also tend to ride them a bit to hopefully steer them on the path of being able to use the site in the most efficient manner. We want these folks to be able to find things themselves; they're ultimately happier being able to get the information they want, and there's fewer repetitive posts with the same questions for others to wade through. The question, is how to most effectively manage this. Well, I have a new idea -- moderators can now use the infraction system. I've added a 1 point, 10 day infraction to the system that lets a user know he asked a question that was answered in a sticky. At one point, the infraction really doesn't DO anything -- you don't get banned, you don't lose any privileges. It does give the user a notification though, and hopefully provides a little "reminder" to look for the answers next time. If the user is one of those who simply refuses, those infraction points will eventually add us, and then eventually would result in some loss of functionality on the site (undetermined at this point). The goal is not to cause users any pain, rather the goal is to make an impression on the user on how to seek information rather than "taking the easy way out" so to speak.

So, do you folks in here think this will help? Do you think it's a bad idea? Any suggestions?

oooo makes me all tingly inside!!! i like it!

oh maybe not like 10 infractions cuss that takes to long.... maybe 5?

I like the idea. I can see people whining when they get warned, but the threat of getting a vacation may smarten them up. I think 10 warnings is maybe a little much also, 5 may be better.

So, will the mods be have this power in all forums? For example, in the "Forced Induction" section:

"What's better, supercharger or turbo?"
or
"Found this turbo kit on Ebay!"

These topics are started about once a month and locked as soon as they're noticed by a mod.

I say go for it.

I think after the 1st infraction is given, they earn a pop-up window whenever the new post button is clicked.

"Did you try searching first or read the sticky threads in this forum?"

Yes or No

After about 20 posts, the pop-up can go away again. :jest:

lol. this will cause a new way of going about things.

as say good as long as you let me/us know it is in a sticky. i read the stickies and still miss some stuff.

i think this would be a great idea. maybe its just due to the amount of time i've been spending on the board as of late, but it seems like some of the above stated questions are getting posted much more often that usual.

i mean i think after 5 new threads like that... the perfect result would be to take away their ability to post and/or start new threads for a period of time... then they would HAVE TO SEARCH to find out any information they were looking for. :)

I think this is a wonderful idea!

I like the idea of the infractions, also I think the pop up that Nine Ball suggested sounds good. I also think a PM (or pop up?)when someone first joins telling them about the stickies and the mass amount of information that is in them would be a good idea. just my .02 :)

Im down w/ the idea. But everybody do themselves a favor and look at their first 20 threads/posts. I gaurantee that you said/asked something stupid. For instance, two weeks after i got my car i started a thread "408 + 300 shot, what parts?." Aside from being in way over my head, it was helpful when "nine ball" (or maybe one of the other mods) told me in a nice way to crack open a case of beer and start reading. Helped me determine some reasonable goals, and start to learn about these cars.

as say good as long as you let me/us know it is in a sticky. i read the stickies and still miss some stuff.

you know the stickies pretty much inside out once you've been here long enough, that and having to keep refering people to them and POINTING at which post number it is....you read them enough times to have them down in memory

Sounds fair to me. Maybe a pop up after the first 2 warnings that asks. "Is what you are about to post sound stupid to your wife/ mom? Is it in the stickies? If so do NOT post it."

Sounds fair to me. Maybe a pop up after the first 2 warnings that asks. "Is what you are about to post sound stupid to your wife/ mom? Is it in the stickies? If so do NOT post it."

thats really not fair because everything on this site sounds stupid to my mom and girlfriend.

but i love the idea. i think it will especially hit home to the newbs who get an attitude when we tell them to search for info on SLP lids or ebay lt's.

Im down w/ the idea. But everybody do themselves a favor and look at their first 20 threads/posts. I gaurantee that you said/asked something stupid. For instance, two weeks after i got my car i started a thread "408 + 300 shot, what parts?." Aside from being in way over my head, it was helpful when "nine ball" (or maybe one of the other mods) told me in a nice way to crack open a case of beer and start reading. Helped me determine some reasonable goals, and start to learn about these cars.

I agree with this also. My first post was about LQ4/LQ9 in my camaro. That was followed by a completely uniformed cam thread. I think the fact that so many of these threads have popped up recently is how many sections have restructured their sticky threads in an attempt to, "clean them up."

I'm really digging the idea. And hopefully with my post count it shows that I read stickies and threads. However I don't usually post because most of the times the answer has been provided (so why whore and run my post count up?)

Brains is suggesting that simply getting an infraction will be enough to get it through the really dense skulls, examples of which he gave, that they need to search and read the stickies. Other than its name, it has little to do with any form of punishment (i.e. banning). Like Brains said, "The goal is not to cause users any pain; rather the goal is to make an impression on the user on how to seek information rather than 'taking the easy way out' so to speak."

I agree with this system, and the principal behind it. You know some people will get pissed off though, and that's the same with anything. However, I hope the LS1Tech staff expects this and takes a good attitude about it.

I've been told that the mods keep a list of sigs that have been deleted. As a guideline for the mods, why not make a list of frequently asked questions, perhaps by section, that should receive infractions? You could let the users make it. For instance, I would be willing to contribute for some sections. Just saying "any question that's in the FAQ" would work for most sections, but I'm telling you right now it won't work for others. For instance, I still want people to be able to ask clarifications about cam specs, even if it's in JRP's Cam Guide, you know?

I would strongly suggest only the lightest enforcement of this policy in the New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech forum.

Brains, thanks for asking us for our opinions on this. :thumb:



BTW, what really gets me is when people ask a question that's been answered on the front page, sometimes even more than once. That should really get infractions.

Great idea Brains.

In for this

I'm all for it - 5 infractions and then you get a nice autominder saying "use search and read the stickies you fawkin noob, or you get a vacation!"

:D

I would strongly suggest only the lightest enforcement of this policy in the New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech forum.

Nope. I intend to use a HEAVY hand in that section, issuing multiple infractions daily (maybe hourly). 10 or 12 people will probably get banned every day. If you don't like it, I don't care.


:jest:

LOL! Just kidding. :D All in good fun. :)

When it comes to the new tech section, most threads are redundant in some way or other, and whether or not we let one live usually depends more on *how* a question is asked, rather than *what* question is asked. For example, someone starts a thread like "what lid is best", and in the body all they write is something like "I want a lid. Which should I get?" Well, that thread is useless and should be locked. But if the thread says something like, "I'm considering a lid for my first mod, I've read about the different brands and realize a lid is a lid, but I'm wondering what sort of gains I can expect now, and what it'll be worth with xxx mods in the future. Also, what suggestions can you give me for the lids that tend to fit best?" Granted, all that info can still be easily covered by a search, but considering some actual thought went into the post, and clearly they've done a bit of research, I'd let that live in the New Tech section.

When it comes to the new tech section, most threads are redundant in some way or other, and whether or not we let one live usually depends more on *how* a question is asked, rather than *what* question is asked.

Granted, all that info can still be easily covered by a search, but considering some actual thought went into the post, and clearly they've done a bit of research, I'd let that live in the New Tech section.Agreeing 100% with RPM WussyS6's direction here. Some people just have no respect at all and ask without thinking, polluting our forums with junk questions; others realize that their questions aren't groundbreaking, but they still need some answers and opionions.

Also, using RPM's example, do you notice how a "which lid is best" thread might get 10 times more answers than a much better question? Not to hijack, just a side note worth considering in this issue.

What keeps these people from just signing right back up? Is this truly a penalty?

Again, an infraction is not a ban or suspension, as stated. It's not meant to be a punishment or "penalty." It's meant to make people think before they post junk.

Otherwise, there are methods (such as IP logging) that sites uses to keep people from simply signing up under a different username. As far as I know, there is no site policy against signing up under another username unless it is for malicious reasons, such as bypassing a ban, spam, or creating "zombies" (for example, to make it look like you have other people which share your opinion in an argument or some such nonsense). Instead of making username changes, I've seen people be told to sign up again and stop using the old name.

Im just throwing this out there but sometimes its damn hard to search for an answer you are looking for. As often times people dont use the same wording you would or in many cases (atleast mine when i just started with this hobby) people dont know jack about cars and really need to ask very simple questions just to get by... how do you search a topic you know none of the terminology for.

I think trying to cut down on the bullshit posts is great but maybe another method of stopping it is better. I really think all you are going to end up doing is scaring away users that are new to the hobby. Just my 2 cents, so take it for what its worth.

Fantastic idea and great "learning tool".

00transamnh -- that's why I don't foresee this as a "punishment" as much as a "gentle push in the right direction." Each infraction can include a message, which I'd hope the staff uses to help guide folks. You can explain what the infraction is for, in addition to the "title" of it. If you got a couple, nothing happens to your account -- they just sit there for 10 days to remind you, and then go away. If you have better ideas, I'm all for hearing them as well -- it is exactly why I opened this discussion to the whole community rather than just implementing it behind the scenes. :thumb:

Just as long as the Mods are more helpful than reprimanding it will work excellent.

I think after the 1st infraction is given, they earn a pop-up window whenever the new post button is clicked.

"Did you try searching first or read the sticky threads in this forum?"

Yes or No

After about 20 posts, the pop-up can go away again. :jest:

:stupid: that sounds like it would work...

dont forget that if no one every posted asking the same question. We will be left with only knowing something of the past.

Now some questions wont ever have a new option for an answer. example- what head came on xx year car?

while some questions that may seem repetative such as, which nitrous dry system is the best? I have seen questions like this get made fun and locked. While if we are stuck reading old stickes, they would never know of the new NX dry kit coming out unless they asked.

You never know when some random person might join and be able to answer a everyday question with such an answer that no one ever thought of.

The one thing that bothers me WAY more than when people post redundant threads is when people get sticky/search happy and all of the sudden anything that may be found in a search or sticky gets responded to in the following (or similar) manner:

----------------------------

:search::search::search::search::search::search::s earch::search::search::search::search::search::sea rch::search::google::nono::nono:nono::nono::thinke r::thinker::thinker::thinker::thinker:

----------------------------

I personally think people who do this should get banned for a week or more.

You have to keep in mind that this is a hobbyist/tech forum and there are TWO reasons people join, not one:

1) To find information

2) To BS about modifications, share stories, speculate about races and power, and just plain talk cars with other people who share the same automotive interest. Most people don't care if they can find the information through a search or sticky because they just like talking with other people and hearing opinions. It's like when you go to a car show or meet up with friends and stand around talking about nothing in particular (meaning cars) for a few hours.

If people came on the site strictly to access technical information, most would just buy a manual, a Haynes, and a few modding books and be done with it, and just call manufacturers directly (which, of course, is what SOME people should be doing).

I know I personally have some "redundant" threads I've started on here; I would imagine almost everyone does. But most of them weren't started because I actually thought I was going to get the factual truth about which product was "the best"; I started them because I felt like talking about it. With other people who shared an interest and had stories and experiences of their own; not to mention, I wanted CURRENT information and experiences, not some stories I found in a thread from November 21, 2003.

Now, all that said, if you do implement this system, which I am actually in full support of assuming mods will use it how I personally think they should, which is as a reminder rather than a punishment (as Brains said), you will just need to make sure you implement it in a fashion that doesn't cause people to get scared off or afraid to start a new post.

This tool should be a friendly reminder that the stickies and search function are there if your ultimate goal is to just get information, but it shouldn't deter members from enjoying conversation will fellow enthusiasts.

Joe

^Cliffs Notes version please. :)

Good idea. Sounds better than a registration where you can't get on unless you have read the stickies.

Only downside are those that can't help but try to argue with the moderator that left the infraction.
That part will never go away...

I think its great :chug: When I see those threads I let them know the info could be found with a simple search or in a sticky BUT still provide the info to them :)

On a side not, what wheels do you think would look good on my car? :jest: :jest: :jest:

It sounds like a good idea to me. An idea for the last warning would be to take away the New Thread feature for a few days. Or make them click ok on several popups asking questions like Nine Ball posted lol.

In my opinion.....

It should only be when a user uses the NEW THREAD button, not necessarily on a "quick reply" like I'm doing now.

What I have noticed is NEW threads being started as the problem, not necessairly posts that were put inside of a thread. In some forums, threads are sometimes "conversations" where info is just going back and forth. Just because the same info is on a sticky, doesn't mean it wasn't relavent inside a particular thread.

So when can we start dishing out infractions and bans? *warming up ban hammer :judge: lol

I think this idea is awsome, the infraction system has helped with some of the sig problems. So I'm sure this will help as well. And to the cry babies, if a new "lid" or other mod comes out cool, post it. If search is down, post it in your thread saying I tried to search but its down, or I didn't find my answer in the search.

Peace,
Craig.

sounds good to me as well

I think this idea is awsome, the infraction system has helped with some of the sig problems.

Peace,
Craig.


hehe! i keep telling people but no one listens i need some sig mod power on tech!! :judge:

I think after the 1st infraction is given, they earn a pop-up window whenever the new post button is clicked.

"Did you try searching first or read the sticky threads in this forum?"

Yes or No

After about 20 posts, the pop-up can go away again. :jest:

I love this idea

I like the idea. How would you let everyone know though when this goes into effect? Would you send a PM to everyone?

Brains, is there an infraction we can add for "NWS" sigs, posting pictures ect? Members are pretty good at letting others know if an avatar, pict or sig is NWS but some are boneheaded. (this includes dead things too). Would it just fall under a current infraction on the list?

I like the idea. How would you let everyone know though when this goes into effect? Would you send a PM to everyone?
It is in effect, the part where give infraction for sigs and such has changed in what type of infractions and points for each. Brians usually has everything in place first then tweaks it as needed. He is one hard working mofo!

So when can we start dishing out infractions and bans? *warming up ban hammer :judge: lol
Look up 5 posts above yours..keep looking to the lower right side of the post. :devil:


Originally Posted by CRAGER
I think this idea is awsome, the infraction system has helped with some of the sig problems.

Peace,
Craig.


hehe! i keep telling people but no one listens i need some sig mod power on tech!! :judge:
Cuz its your job to get the word out where you are a mod? :jest:
Mine doesn't cross over either but then again, we all know why that is :loco:

This infraction is in place, mods can feel free to use it at will :devil:

I'll add the NWS infraction as well :thumb:

Brains, is there an infraction we can add for "NWS" sigs, posting pictures ect? Members are pretty good at letting others know if an avatar, pict or sig is NWS but some are boneheaded. (this includes dead things too). Would it just fall under a current infraction on the list?

This infraction is in place, mods can feel free to use it at will :devil:

I'll add the NWS infraction as well :thumb:
Wow, I have a 6-month old avatar that I recently got an infraction for a few days ago. Looks like I got an infraction from GEARHED before that ability was even asked for and created by Brains.

this whole thing is just funny. And this is comming from someone who almost exclusively uses search. I post a little bit but just lurk for the most part.

This is a discussion board people.. do you really think there is that much new stuff every day to keep this place interesting if everyone just used the search? I mean what are all the arm chair mechanics going to do with their time if they cant answer the most basic questions. I think about every topic or post created on here is most likely a duplicate and could be found in a search. But this place isnt just an archive where you can just come to read old information... Its a forum where peoples opinions and attitudes towards something are always changing. Sometimes its just nice to have the warm fuzy feeling telling you that 6 months ago someone ran x heads with y cam and made z horsepower and when you ask today its still a good combo to spend your hard earned cash on.
There are only so many head cam combos. There are only so many ways to have forced induction. If we dont want to talk about this stuff how long is it before this place just becomes an archive because nearly everything posted today has been asked in the past i can almost guarantee it...

i realize there are the newbs out there that post for the most basic information that is clearly listed in the stickies, but i think these posts are also quickly ignored and fall off the first page quickly, i know i dont click them, why do you? But sometimes someone will ask a frequently asked question and get ridiculed for it even if they did use the search but the information they found didnt exactly answer their question or didnt exactly fit their needs with their setup or mods. Not everything has a cookie cutter answer that can be answered in a stickie and were all here to help one another after all.

This is a discussion board people...
It's a forum where peoples opinions and attitudes towards something are always changing...
If we dont want to talk about this stuff how long is it before this place just becomes an archive because nearly everything posted today has been asked in the past i can almost guarantee it...
But sometimes someone will ask a frequently asked question and get ridiculed for it even if they did use the search but the information they found didnt exactly answer their question or didnt exactly fit their needs with their setup or mods. Not everything has a cookie cutter answer that can be answered in a stickie and were all here to help one another after all.

This guy has some great points.

the issues, and thus the infractions, are more for the posts which should be completely obvious:

1. "Why is my post count stuck?"
2. "Can I get a name change?"
3. Anything else found in the stickies in this and other forums ;)

Not everything has a cookie cutter answer that can be answered in a stickie and were all here to help one another after all.

Do you have any idea how many people have asked why their post count isn't rising in this forum? It's easily over one thousand.

this whole thing is just funny. And this is comming from someone who almost exclusively uses search. I post a little bit but just lurk for the most part.

This is a discussion board people.. do you really think there is that much new stuff every day to keep this place interesting if everyone just used the search? I mean what are all the arm chair mechanics going to do with their time if they cant answer the most basic questions. I think about every topic or post created on here is most likely a duplicate and could be found in a search. But this place isnt just an archive where you can just come to read old information... Its a forum where peoples opinions and attitudes towards something are always changing. Sometimes its just nice to have the warm fuzy feeling telling you that 6 months ago someone ran x heads with y cam and made z horsepower and when you ask today its still a good combo to spend your hard earned cash on.
There are only so many head cam combos. There are only so many ways to have forced induction. If we dont want to talk about this stuff how long is it before this place just becomes an archive because nearly everything posted today has been asked in the past i can almost guarantee it...

i realize there are the newbs out there that post for the most basic information that is clearly listed in the stickies, but i think these posts are also quickly ignored and fall off the first page quickly, i know i dont click them, why do you? But sometimes someone will ask a frequently asked question and get ridiculed for it even if they did use the search but the information they found didnt exactly answer their question or didnt exactly fit their needs with their setup or mods. Not everything has a cookie cutter answer that can be answered in a stickie and were all here to help one another after all.



Of all the info this site has to offer....this has got to be the best post I have ever read here. Thank you got-a-ls1 for this.

This place has an interesting "how do I:go find the sticky" ratio going.

Here's my opinion on the whole thing. Most forums have a nifty little hack that auto-sends a PM to any new user that signs up. As soon as you log in for the first time you have a PM that usually welcomes you to the forum.

Due to the size of this forum, it might be a good idea to get something like that rolling with sort of a 'mini-faq' inside of it that points to links for new users to read stuff and get familiar with all of the general stuff inside the forum. You can also put in there that if they choose not to view said links and read all of the newbie faqs that they will get an infraction which could lead to temp. ban.

This way you aren't blindsiding new sign ups and giving them a fair warning that if they choose not to read up and post useless questions, they will receive a infraction leading to a temp. ban.

That's teh route I would take at least.

I think its a great idea brians.
We should just take away their ability to create new threads after so many infractions...5+

Here's my opinion on the whole thing. Most forums have a nifty little hack that auto-sends a PM to any new user that signs up. As soon as you log in for the first time you have a PM that usually welcomes you to the forum.

Due to the size of this forum, it might be a good idea to get something like that rolling with sort of a 'mini-faq' inside of it that points to links for new users to read stuff and get familiar with all of the general stuff inside the forum. You can also put in there that if they choose not to view said links and read all of the newbie faqs that they will get an infraction which could lead to temp. ban.

This way you aren't blindsiding new sign ups and giving them a fair warning that if they choose not to read up and post useless questions, they will receive a infraction leading to a temp. ban.

That's teh route I would take at least.

That sounds like a good idea but you'd have to make reading the FAQ a requirement before they could post for it to have the desired effect. Most would likely ignore the PM but if they had to open it and read it before they could post it would be effective. JMO.

Do you have any idea how many people have asked why their post count isn't rising in this forum? It's easily over one thousand.

i realize that. If it bothers everyone so much just ignore or lock the threads like that. its the nature of this beast called the internet. But that is one example of an obvious annoyance. There are tons of new threads made everyday where someone just says do search!!! without even trying to help the OP. Sometimes search or stickies just leave some details unanswered. Look around at some of the posts on this site. Someone will ask a question and have to defend themselves before anyone even responds. They have say things such as "yes i already tried a search!" I think people just need to relax a bit. If you dont want to help by giving them information they asked for then why do they feel the need to waste their time to tell them to use the search. Just ignore it!

Search and stickies are some of the best tools on this website, and like i said i use them A LOT.

I think the private message idea to new users would be a great idea. Another good idea would be for people with under 5-10 posts or something like that, is a little reminder that when they go to post a new thread. It would remind them to check the stickies in the forum for basic site and mod information. if they still need help after that then post the thread!

It would also be good if ALL stickies were accessible from one central location instead of being scattered about in the different forums. That way someone who doesnt look in all the forums will still be able to see all the information available.

Of all the info this site has to offer....this has got to be the best post I have ever read here. Thank you got-a-ls1 for this.

This place has an interesting "how do I:go find the sticky" ratio going.

thanks man:D

That sounds like a good idea but you'd have to make reading the FAQ a requirement before they could post for it to have the desired effect. Most would likely ignore the PM but if they had to open it and read it before they could post it would be effective. JMO.

Well that's the whole thing. If the PM is not opened or read (ignored) then the infraction would stand clearly. New users that choose to ignore the contents of the PM and post anyways will have to suffer the consequences.

What Joe said.

Isnt this site a Resource for info...

AND...

a place for casual discussion?

Who wants to frequent a site and then worry about whether they are being "redundant" with a question or thought?

Yeah, I only recently joined after I picked up my WS6 but I've been browsing as far back as '03.

There's a real simple, non-antagonizing way to deal with the redundancy. Just dont read/reply to that New Topic.

Personally, I dont care what ya'll wanna do here, as I just spend hours of old thread reading...without posting, but "Thread Police" are universally disliked by the majority of users.

Peace.

Not sure if it's possible, but make each of the forums so that you can not post untill you have clicked on (and hopefully read) each sticky on the individual forum.

And like posted above, this site has been here for so long, you can't help but re-ask the same questions.

On the flip side, the which lid is best, or how to tell if it's a real SS get old.

Brains, I feel very strongly both ways. Happens as you get older. With what you guys are charging sponsors, they really want as many people as possible flipping through the site. If the forum continues to provide a great resource AND entertainment, people will keep coming, and sponsors will be happy. However, if you start nit-picking new guys, you drive them away pretty quickly. This hurts you bottom line, and the overall industry.

If mods get heavy handed with people that are just tech savvy enough to be able to make a post (people like my 73yr old Dad), they will get pissed off, and give up on this "internet thing." While I understand your need to keep the database usage in check, the call for "use search" and "read the stickies," will drive some people away.

For starters, the search on this forum is not great. You get a lot of redundant returns, which people quickly dismiss. Some of this stickies on this forum have a LOT of pages. A guy will only spend so much time (usually less than 5 minutes) searching before he just asks. Another problem is that people will get scolded for bringing up old threads, but if that is where they found part of what they wanted to know, that is where they will post if they cannot start a new thread. I tend to frequent the Conversions/Hybrids section (usually 30-60 min daily), and try to answer questions if I know an answer, post drawings when I can, and point people in the right direction. Sometimes, I am the guy that is lost and needs help right now. Several key questions are always coming up on mounts, oil-pans, intake tracts, etc, and there isn't a good, up-to-date sticky covering the latest and greatest, and the needs of every conversion. These parts and ideas are changing weekly, and ongoing discussions do help. There are a lot of junk posts in that section, and they generally fall away pretty quickly.

As for the signature and avatar issues, there is a lot of friction there because so many older members have large signatures or avatars, and newer guys getting hit on them look around and get pissed when every one else has more than they do, but they got dinged. That is a common thread. I know you have a LOT of members, and few mods, and that it will take FOREVER to get every member in compliance with newer rules, but I am poiniting out why that comes up so often.

Overall, I think you guys are doing a pretty reasonable job with a very difficult task, I just don't want to see you loosing valuable members because of heavy handed infractions. Remember too that some of us are still pretty new to the Gen II, Gen IV platform, and things that seem so obvious to old hands are pretty confusing to newbs.

Oh, one last thing, sometimes the PM's don't show up, or are fairly delayed. Not sure if there is much you can do about that. And on a personal note, I am not very fond of the goofy advertising banner you have towards the top. The images never fit, and look very amateur because of it.

Just my 2 pennies...