Regarding the Different Color Ads You are Seeing

[Adina P]

I realize NOBODY likes ads.  Whether on TV, radio, or websites.  They are annoying and there's always something MORE fun that could take their place.  It would be dreamy to not need them at all.  Believe me...I've resisted ads for a long time, but they are quickly becoming necessary--one of the things that allow us to continue to give you DoodleKisses.com

Doodle Kisses is my baby.  I care about this site and its members immensely. Probably too much.  It's what I wake up to in the morning and what I check last before I go to bed (as well as constantly through the day--even if just on my phone).  I want to do the best I can by you!  While I realize not everyone will be happy with each and every decision we make and we will get complaints, these complaints DO hurt ME personally. They really do.  I'm not so far removed as an admin that I can just slough it off because I like you and I want to see you happy with what we have created and maintain with love.

 

This is not to say nobody should complain.  Complaints give us important information.  But sometimes they aren't constructive and just feels like criticism of my baby.  Please send ME your complaints whenever possible. 

At this point managing a site with nearly 8,000 members and all that comes with it is more than a part time job.  Most of my free time is spent checking in and administering and making sure things are running smoothly.  I don't even participate in discussions half as much as I used to because there's not enough time in my day to do so.  I'm doing the BEST I can to make and keep DK an excellent place to be.  In the past few months I've started moderating membership so that we can keep out those annoying dreaded spammers.  It's not that any one thing is time consuming on its own, but it adds up through the day and with growing membership.  And this is with Clark's help as well.

There's no way to sustain my putting in this level of commitment to you without the site actually doing more than paying its monthly/annual fees.  It just isn't realistic to expect otherwise.  The new ads aren't saving me time or making my commitment to you any less.  But, YES, we are experimenting with new ways to display ads so DoodleKisses.com brings in more revenue -- what you see is pretty minimally invasive in my opinion.  It may or may not be a permanent change.  We have a lot of ideas for improvements but realize that every change can be really dangerous and make members feel intruded upon.  We really do try to tread carefully.

Every page that has one of the new colorful ads added, has had a different banner ad removed from the top of the page.  This actually moves the important content UP on the page.  The only difference is that it is a picture instead of a text ad.  Nobody has to click on the ads if they don't want to.  And the content isn't really much different than what is on the side of pages.  They are obvious ads, in my opinion, and aren't going to be misconstrued as 'DK suggestions'.  If something horribly inappropriate pops up, do let us know.

And please remember that 25% of all proceeds the site earns is donated to doodle and dog rescue.  So even if you really despise these things and vow to never click on them, at least remember that every time someone else clicks on one of the ads, doodle rescue will be earning some money too!  You might wonder "what rescues does DK support?"  Historically we have given to DRC, IDOG, and a local all-breed rescue near us.  We plan on giving to these three organizations and perhaps others again this year. 

Moving forward we will continue to look for ways to support Doodle Kisses and doodle rescue more.  In the next few weeks we are going to introduce a DoodleKisses/Amazon.com store that will allow you to make all your Amazon.com purchases in a way that supports DoodleKisses and doodle rescue.  It seems like a win-win to us.  You shop at Amazon anyways, now you can do it and support doodle rescue and DK at the same time.

I'm on YOUR side.  I am the most active user of this site.  I don't want to do ANYTHING that makes the site suck.  I started this site because I absolutely love doodles, not to be the next Bill Gates.  I feel that we have succeeded in creating the best doodle lovers' community available and we will constantly strive to improve it and keep you happy.  I realize this is one of two kinda noticeable appearance changes lately, but DoodleKisses.com is still the same place it's always been.  The same great doodle loving members, the same rules and standards as before. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You could NEVER sound like a grumpy old lady, F.  I can't even imagine DK without your always valued input.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks, Jane.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

F Parker,  I was too chicken to show my grumpy lady behind, so I sent a private message regarding my disappointment.  I just want you to know I am in the minority as well.  Puppy mills, Beneful, and Purina ads don't belong on DK.  The idea that the cookies placed by Adchoice is collecting my browsing and shopping experience is creepy.  It is like being stalked.  I believe it is possible to love and support Adina, and dislike these ads at the same time.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen. Beautifully stated.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Ditto. I'm just wondering if it is those of us of a certain age who have been around long enough to be leery of certain erosions of freedom and privacy and to react to the signs of that.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I did not see any ads for purina or for puppy mill dogs, That I agree does not belong on DK because it does go against the grain and structure of what we stand for.

 

I think there can be a more judicial process in deciding what ad's can go on here. I know it is important to bring in a revenue, I agree with it, understand it etc. I just don't agree with ad's that go against what we stand for, no matter who would benefit,

 

I thought when you said you were hurt it was because people were objecting to the ad's just being there, not the content. 

 

You are doing a great job, you have a lot on your plate, I think what Camilla said about volunteer moderators is helpful, I moderate a mere 100 plus group and I have to assistant moderators.

 

F, Not a grumpy old women, just sharing how you feel

[F, Calla & Luca]

I believe the ads are targeted to the viewer since I got an ad for a local hospital: ) Certainly not the way to choose a hospital. Also, I visit a lot of breeder sites and a breeder forum so that may be why I got one for A puppy broker. I even got one for DK : )

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Well, I sure have been around long enough!!  Approaching ancient, I will be 67 next month.  If we don't say what we think now, when will we?

[F, Calla & Luca]

We are very close in age and the answer would be never so now sounds good : )

[Pat and Traveler]

F. Parker--one of the few upsides of advanced age is getting your 'grumpy old lady' badge.  I know.  Anyhow, you may be a grumpy old lady but you are also a passionate and committed one.  I don't like ads--who does?--but I'm not THAT offended by them, other than by breeder ads which might be puppy mills.  A most excellent point.  It may be that clicking on ANY ad provides support for them too, which would be dismaying.  I AM willing to put up with some things, and this is one of them.  Gotta choose your battles.  Maybe I've just been soothed by the idea that endangered dogs (as well as DK) get some benefit by clicking on the ads.  Like you said, it is July 4th and America, and we can disagree or argue until we fall over backwards, still talking, of course.  :)           

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

F., it seems to me that the side bars have always had ads that could be clicked on, some of these ads came from less than what our own DK standards are.

Yes we all have the right NOT to click and basically that is what we all have to decide to do or not do.

And once again you are right - we have  the Freedom to choose thank goodness.

Guess what, I would NEVER think of you as a crabby old lady... but a lady who is not afraid to state her opinion. Good for you!

Happy 4th of July :o)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Happy 4th to you and yours too. One of the good, some might say bad, things about getting to my stage of life is less fear of stating one's opinion. TG we live in a country where we may.