Google Ads?
O HAI THAR. name's Chris 
Being more involved at engineering spheres, I can't really speak on behalf of IB but I'm told guys here have been on the phone and email with numerous vendors.
All I can say is that this thread is being read very closely and all the feedback taken into account.
Now let me point a few things i've learned from Brains, while working closely with him, which you might keep in mind as you unleash your collective anger at IB:
- Brains was keeping this site running. For years he's relentlessly worked to field the explosive growth of this forum on sub-par hardware with limited resources, for essentially free. IB came-in and 1) got more hardware for this forum 2) re-built search from the ground-up on dedicated hardware, on a kick-*** platform to replace the 200% defunct search that used to be there 3) Actually *hired* Brains full-time, to bring value to this forum and, without going into details, the vBulletin ecosystem in general.
- Advertisers need to do what's best for them. As Brains has taught me and from what i've observed from my limited participation on this forum, they're key to the value of LS1Tech. So it'd totally suck for *everyone* to see them leave, not to mention that'd **** Brains off, and when Brains is unhappy, it generally f's my day up. So I *really* hope we can arrive at a win-win set-up.
- Brains and I had scratched our heads trying to find solutions to improve the seizure-inducing wall of sponsor boxes in the right column. I've actually had tears stream down my cheeks trying to read each one of them, and I've seen other members complain about that before we'd finally brought-back the directory.
So we began to sketch ideas for a better format, that'd give most everybody a chance at a decent placement, a more visually-pleasing approach to making sponsors information accessible to all members, from any page.
We wanted, rather want to come up with something that works best for EVERYONE. We want members to be able to find vendors. We want vendors to be able to make themselves visible and known to the members.
And somewhere in there, obviously IB's got to be able to pay the bills, make a profit, and put more money into ideas that can accomplish these basic goals.
I know it seems like we're not listening but trust me -- these words are ringing very loudly in our ears.
Being more involved at engineering spheres, I can't really speak on behalf of IB but I'm told guys here have been on the phone and email with numerous vendors.
All I can say is that this thread is being read very closely and all the feedback taken into account.
Now let me point a few things i've learned from Brains, while working closely with him, which you might keep in mind as you unleash your collective anger at IB:
- Brains was keeping this site running. For years he's relentlessly worked to field the explosive growth of this forum on sub-par hardware with limited resources, for essentially free. IB came-in and 1) got more hardware for this forum 2) re-built search from the ground-up on dedicated hardware, on a kick-*** platform to replace the 200% defunct search that used to be there 3) Actually *hired* Brains full-time, to bring value to this forum and, without going into details, the vBulletin ecosystem in general.
- Advertisers need to do what's best for them. As Brains has taught me and from what i've observed from my limited participation on this forum, they're key to the value of LS1Tech. So it'd totally suck for *everyone* to see them leave, not to mention that'd **** Brains off, and when Brains is unhappy, it generally f's my day up. So I *really* hope we can arrive at a win-win set-up.
- Brains and I had scratched our heads trying to find solutions to improve the seizure-inducing wall of sponsor boxes in the right column. I've actually had tears stream down my cheeks trying to read each one of them, and I've seen other members complain about that before we'd finally brought-back the directory.
So we began to sketch ideas for a better format, that'd give most everybody a chance at a decent placement, a more visually-pleasing approach to making sponsors information accessible to all members, from any page.
We wanted, rather want to come up with something that works best for EVERYONE. We want members to be able to find vendors. We want vendors to be able to make themselves visible and known to the members.
And somewhere in there, obviously IB's got to be able to pay the bills, make a profit, and put more money into ideas that can accomplish these basic goals.
I know it seems like we're not listening but trust me -- these words are ringing very loudly in our ears.
I haven't been here since the dawn of the century, like alot of folks, but in the short time I've been here I've grown to like it alot.
Hell, I don't even own an LS1 and I've found all the help I need around this place.
I haven't really had too many problems with the pop-ups and clicking back, but I'm not digging the sidebar. I can see the sponsors going apeshit about this. If they begin to leave, or weren't there in the first place, I wouldn't have heard of the majority of them. I guess it's a bit of a double-edged sword. Stay here and get screwed while these RingTard guys are getting free plugs, and still get revenue through users, or hit the road and take a huge hit in the face by no longer running a banner here. It's one of those "choose your poison" scenerios for those guys.
I'd just hate to see this place go under because it's one hell of a community. I can search or ask someone and get an answer to any question I can conjur up, from how to remedy my nuts itching to what cam to run in the 400. If people put their tails between their legs and run away, and the site eventually tanks, there's a whole wealth of information and a great community that'll NEVER be the same. Honestly, you can't recreate this place, not quickly anyhow. It'd take years.
Don't run off just yet, folks. Stick with it and let's come up with a way to fix this ****. It's too good a thing to let these corporate **** gobblers ruin with their quotas and **** cream adds.
Hell, I don't even own an LS1 and I've found all the help I need around this place.
I haven't really had too many problems with the pop-ups and clicking back, but I'm not digging the sidebar. I can see the sponsors going apeshit about this. If they begin to leave, or weren't there in the first place, I wouldn't have heard of the majority of them. I guess it's a bit of a double-edged sword. Stay here and get screwed while these RingTard guys are getting free plugs, and still get revenue through users, or hit the road and take a huge hit in the face by no longer running a banner here. It's one of those "choose your poison" scenerios for those guys.
I'd just hate to see this place go under because it's one hell of a community. I can search or ask someone and get an answer to any question I can conjur up, from how to remedy my nuts itching to what cam to run in the 400. If people put their tails between their legs and run away, and the site eventually tanks, there's a whole wealth of information and a great community that'll NEVER be the same. Honestly, you can't recreate this place, not quickly anyhow. It'd take years.
Don't run off just yet, folks. Stick with it and let's come up with a way to fix this ****. It's too good a thing to let these corporate **** gobblers ruin with their quotas and **** cream adds.
Ban me thats a start, everyone needs to get banned or cancel their accounts. Most of you are too young to work on a car without internet help though so that sucks, most won't have the ***** to do either. Get the active member count close to zero, then we've done something. Letting this post get up to 6,000+ views just helps them out.
Pull your panties out of your asscrack and lets all get banned.
Pull your panties out of your asscrack and lets all get banned.
11 Second Club
iTrader: (32)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,701
Likes: 2
From: Southaven, MS (near Memphis, TN)
.... IB came-in .... 2) re-built search from the ground-up on dedicated hardware, on a kick-*** platform to replace the 200% defunct search that used to be there 3) Actually *hired* Brains full-time, to bring value to this forum and, without going into details, the vBulletin ecosystem in general.
The old search you say was "defunct" worked a lot better than this new and improved one.
Don't believe me? ask the members.
To address Chris's comments. The solution is simple. Get rid of the google adds. Blamo you're done and the problem is solved.
I've already been banned once for bullshit and don't intend on having that happen again. By the way I can't watch google videos, but from the tiny pic that looks like Jamie Hammer. Good choice.
I've already been banned once for bullshit and don't intend on having that happen again. By the way I can't watch google videos, but from the tiny pic that looks like Jamie Hammer. Good choice.
Last edited by Ragtop 99; Jan 10, 2008 at 07:54 PM.
boooooo, went searching through my emails and found the link to where it was talking about when tech got sold to IB....but hey it got clipped 
so all i can do is post the link to where it USED to be
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7477698
title was Internet Brands acquires LS1TECH & Others
oh god i just remembered, clubrx7 got shafted by IB too!! going to go check them out
so all i can do is post the link to where it USED to behttps://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7477698
title was Internet Brands acquires LS1TECH & Others
oh god i just remembered, clubrx7 got shafted by IB too!! going to go check them out
On top of that, he actually does give a ****, and is a really talented guy when it comes to figuring out solutions. He came here basically throwing himself in front of the bus, to let you guys know IB does give a ****. I think it's time we turn this thread around and try to help figure out solutions, rather than bandwagon and throw around talk about jumping ship to some new, blank forum. If there's one thing I've learned from working with Internet Brands for the past several months, is that while the first try may not be perfect, they *always* go back to the community to find a good balance. 
We wanted, rather want to come up with something that works best for EVERYONE. We want members to be able to find vendors. We want vendors to be able to make themselves visible and known to the members.
And somewhere in there, obviously IB's got to be able to pay the bills, make a profit, and put more money into ideas that can accomplish these basic goals.
And somewhere in there, obviously IB's got to be able to pay the bills, make a profit, and put more money into ideas that can accomplish these basic goals.
I could find vendors a heck of a lot easier with the old setup than this new thing, and as far as paying the bills go the sponsors already were paying over 4x per year what the google ads were projected to get. I know which revenue stream I would be focusing on if I wanted to maximize profit. Since the sponsors are clearly not happy with the current arrangement, I would think you would want to address that before putting in the Google ads in such a way that decreases their involvement.
11 Second Club
iTrader: (32)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,701
Likes: 2
From: Southaven, MS (near Memphis, TN)
boooooo, went searching through my emails and found the link to where it was talking about when tech got sold to IB....but hey it got clipped so all i can do is post the link to where it USED to be
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7477698
title was Internet Brands acquires LS1TECH & Others
oh god i just remembered, clubrx7 got shafted by IB too!! going to go check them out
so all i can do is post the link to where it USED to behttps://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7477698
title was Internet Brands acquires LS1TECH & Others
oh god i just remembered, clubrx7 got shafted by IB too!! going to go check them out
SO IB is responsible for both ruining the search and ruining the vendor security here; good going guys.
You see, if Sponsor shop XYZ screws people over, they get dropped as a sponsor and there was some accountability and some help with it. If they f-d folks, PSJ and NB used to help track them down. How will you do that with your Google Ads? How can you protect users from people that you CANNOT HOLD ACCOUNTABLE??
What if every vendor dropped sponorship and signed up with google ads? There is no fair palying field when you burn their asses with unGodly, unreasonably high sponsorship fees (which is why I sponsor on other LSx boards and NOT here) but at the same time allow other competitors to do it for pennies through Google...
And for the last time, can SOMEBODY PLEASE FIX THIS, I SEE NO SPONSORS, JUST OPEN *** WHITE SPACE!!! Sponsors, does this not bother you? Your high coin banner does not exist.
You see, if Sponsor shop XYZ screws people over, they get dropped as a sponsor and there was some accountability and some help with it. If they f-d folks, PSJ and NB used to help track them down. How will you do that with your Google Ads? How can you protect users from people that you CANNOT HOLD ACCOUNTABLE??
What if every vendor dropped sponorship and signed up with google ads? There is no fair palying field when you burn their asses with unGodly, unreasonably high sponsorship fees (which is why I sponsor on other LSx boards and NOT here) but at the same time allow other competitors to do it for pennies through Google...
And for the last time, can SOMEBODY PLEASE FIX THIS, I SEE NO SPONSORS, JUST OPEN *** WHITE SPACE!!! Sponsors, does this not bother you? Your high coin banner does not exist.
Last edited by Frost; Jan 10, 2008 at 07:57 PM.
I think it's time we turn this thread around and try to help figure out solutions, rather than bandwagon and throw around talk about jumping ship to some new, blank forum. If there's one thing I've learned from working with Internet Brands for the past several months, is that while the first try may not be perfect, they *always* go back to the community to find a good balance.
Last edited by infinitebird; Jan 10, 2008 at 07:51 PM.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,036
Likes: 1
From: Lake Zurich, IL
these ads definetly suck... and I agree on the search feature too....
Between the machine gun when the site is loading... being much slower now (hmmm if the old hardware was defunct why'd it work better before all these changes?)
I can't use my freakin back button because some asshat put these google ads up ... and what really pisses me off... all the mods work for free to help others, note free while IB is making a buck for basically fubaring the site!
IB can go f*** themselves
Between the machine gun when the site is loading... being much slower now (hmmm if the old hardware was defunct why'd it work better before all these changes?)
I can't use my freakin back button because some asshat put these google ads up ... and what really pisses me off... all the mods work for free to help others, note free while IB is making a buck for basically fubaring the site!
IB can go f*** themselves
Absolutely incorrect... I'm a HUGE pain in Chris' *** (he's my direct report @ IB) On top of that, he actually does give a ****, and is a really talented guy when it comes to figuring out solutions. He came here basically throwing himself in front of the bus, to let you guys know IB does give a ****. I think it's time we turn this thread around and try to help figure out solutions, rather than bandwagon and throw around talk about jumping ship to some new, blank forum. If there's one thing I've learned from working with Internet Brands for the past several months, is that while the first try may not be perfect, they *always* go back to the community to find a good balance.
On top of that, he actually does give a ****, and is a really talented guy when it comes to figuring out solutions. He came here basically throwing himself in front of the bus, to let you guys know IB does give a ****. I think it's time we turn this thread around and try to help figure out solutions, rather than bandwagon and throw around talk about jumping ship to some new, blank forum. If there's one thing I've learned from working with Internet Brands for the past several months, is that while the first try may not be perfect, they *always* go back to the community to find a good balance.FWIW Brains I enjoy this site, and have learned a hell of alot from it, but I've been in corporate america for the past 20 years, (so perhaps you can understand my cynicism) and while Chris may give a ****, his boss most likely does't, and is only impressed by meeting or exceeding the stretch goals that the corporate office sets, and they don't give a DAMN about this site or any other they own
I really hope you're right Brains, but from my own personal experience: you aren't
TECH Resident
iTrader: (64)
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Posts: 908
Likes: 0
From: sneaking in your back door as you leave!/cartersville ga
Thanks for your support guys.
FWIW I have received phone calls from many sponsors here today who are very disgruntled. There are some significant undercurrents. Not at all sure where this is headed.
What is important for you guys to remember is just what studderin said... they will not be at the track to support you because they are not car people.
The really sad thing is there is a distinct possibility that guys just like yourselves with familes can wind up out of work if their company cannot survive because of these changes. Many of the existing Sponsors here rely heavily on the income that this website represents. There are some stark realities here. Lots of the shops represented here are not big well funded operations, but nonetheless serve a tremendous service to this community.
g
FWIW I have received phone calls from many sponsors here today who are very disgruntled. There are some significant undercurrents. Not at all sure where this is headed.
What is important for you guys to remember is just what studderin said... they will not be at the track to support you because they are not car people.
The really sad thing is there is a distinct possibility that guys just like yourselves with familes can wind up out of work if their company cannot survive because of these changes. Many of the existing Sponsors here rely heavily on the income that this website represents. There are some stark realities here. Lots of the shops represented here are not big well funded operations, but nonetheless serve a tremendous service to this community.
g
wow, replies coming in fast Bear with me, I got back from the dentist office a bit ago, just had dinner, and am ready for battle 
Let's starting listing things out in a way that'll make it easier to figure out how/what to do to fix 'em (keeping in mind we want to enhance rather than just go back to what we had, which was a BIG pain in the *** to manage):
Frost: Not displaying the sponsors is obviously a huge issue -- we need to figure out that issue ASAP (and display more tiles, and improve that area). Just wanted to mention that's at the TOP of the list.
sundaydriver: Seems Internet Explorer runs the site really slow, but Firefox (and other browsers) are fast. Also a huge issue, since quite a few people still use IE. Also very high on the list.
infinitebird: It'd be easier for moment to put the old list to the right, but the truth is that list (which I wrote WAY back when we had 20 sponsors, not 150+) is a pain in the *** to maintain. That's part of the reason we're trying to move forward with a better ad manager package.
Again, I want to point out that it's been made PAINFULLY clear this is fucked up -- but I also want to point out to you guys we're going to FIX IT
Please help, rather than bandwagon and bitch... Please 
Bear with me, I got back from the dentist office a bit ago, just had dinner, and am ready for battle Let's starting listing things out in a way that'll make it easier to figure out how/what to do to fix 'em (keeping in mind we want to enhance rather than just go back to what we had, which was a BIG pain in the *** to manage):
Frost: Not displaying the sponsors is obviously a huge issue -- we need to figure out that issue ASAP (and display more tiles, and improve that area). Just wanted to mention that's at the TOP of the list.
sundaydriver: Seems Internet Explorer runs the site really slow, but Firefox (and other browsers) are fast. Also a huge issue, since quite a few people still use IE. Also very high on the list.
infinitebird: It'd be easier for moment to put the old list to the right, but the truth is that list (which I wrote WAY back when we had 20 sponsors, not 150+) is a pain in the *** to maintain. That's part of the reason we're trying to move forward with a better ad manager package.
Again, I want to point out that it's been made PAINFULLY clear this is fucked up -- but I also want to point out to you guys we're going to FIX IT
Please help, rather than bandwagon and bitch... Please