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. 

[Dori & Rua]

Adina, no one can hurt you without your permission.  That being said, I think I am alot like you in that I apparently seem to give myself permission to be hurt on matters that are important to me and where I have a vested, emotional connection.  Actually, I think many of us here on DK are like that.

 

Yesterday someone sent a post with a PetFoodDirect coupon in it.  So, I went there to the site to check it out.  Seemed like they have great prices on K9 Advantix.  I registered to receive emails (I used Rua's email address).  All of a sudden, an ad from them seemed to POP up and I couldn't get rid of it.  There wasn't a close box.  I thought it was a result of my visit to their website and I was really ticked and I felt invaded. 

 

Then, when I read your post this morning, I now understand what was happening.  If an announcement was sent out informing of us this change, I missed it.  If one wasn't sent out, sending out an announcement letting everyone know ahead of time about the change and the reason for it might have helped for those who read them, of course!

 

Currently, the layout of the page seems to be in 2 columns.  The body is about 3/4's of the width and the remaining 1/4th is where we can access our inbox, friends, etc.and where the Google ads appear:

Is it possible to decrease the amount of width of the body and increase the width of the last column.  For my screen resolution, for example, it would add about 1" to the last column (taking 1" from the body).   Or, could the ad be smaller to fit in the area above the Google ads.

Just suggestions...I realize it isn't always as easy as I think it should be.  Personally, I would rather have the ads out of the main body.

 

As was said before, this is something new...and change can be difficult for some of us that are stuck in our ways.  I love that you are continually working on making DK a great place...unfortunately it doesn't come without sacrifice.

 

Thank you and Clark for your caring, compassion, understanding and patience.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Ditto, Dori

[Stephanie and Jellybean]

Adina, love this site! Ads or no ads, makes no difference...........You are doing a fabulous job, carry on!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

The internet has shrunk the world - allowing people from all over to communicate on a daily basis and become "friends".  The downside, though, is the anonymity factor.  People will often say things on the internet that they'd never say to a person's face.  Sometimes the comment is meant to hurt (middle schoolers on facebook) but many times the conversations end up going off in odd directions because of the "artificial" nature of the internet, the fact that they're not taking place in real time, the fact that we can't use facial expressions and body language to regulate our comments, etc.  

All of us who frequent DK, know how much time and love Adina and Clark put into DK.  If we'd all been together when the ad conversation cropped up, the discussion would likely have been completely different and, hopefully, there would have been no hurt feelings. 

[Pat and Traveler]

Know what?  I'm gonna go click on a bunch of ads.  Not because I actually intend to buy anything, but as a little act of support.  I can only imagine how much time, attention and commitment it takes to maintain this site, and it helps dogs, too!  It's a great place, for all of us--by far the bestest interactive site I've ever belonged to.  I've enjoyed it soooo much, and always look forward to reading the latest blogs, discussions and group entries, and love the archive feature too, so I can go back and read what's been said in the past.  In fact, I noticed that your active participation in discussions and such has lessened, and I guessed why.  I'd be hurt by outraged comlaints too.  How could they not hurt, when you've devoted so much time and attention to this DK baby?  In a way, the complaints just show how much a part of DK this community feels.  OUR place, OUR motto, OUR page format... 

But...you're not going to be the next Bill Gates!!???  What's up with that??  I demand that you be the next him immediately.  :) 

P.S.  Trav says 'woof' to Boca.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

Adina and Clark, I am so grateful for this wonderful website. You can do whatever you need to keep it going as far as I'm concerned! Thanks for the heads up about the ads and how they benefit all of us by making this feasible for you guys to administer. Fondly, Bonnie. 

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

...same from Doris and Knox!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Adina, I for one always wondered how you were able to keep the site without going to ads, but was happy there were so few. Actually, never really noticed them. Having said that, the placement of these are a little distracting considering my A.D.D. kicks in and off I go reading something else. But that's my problem. I'm with Dori on this, if just the placement can be in another area of the page, that would be my only opinion. And it's just an opinion, not a criticism at all.

You both do an amazing job, and it sounds like you could use some help. Can you delegate any of these daily tasks to some of your most frequent users maybe? I would think some of us would be happy to take some of the burden off you especially with the new baby coming. Like you said, It's not that any one thing is time consuming on its own, but it adds up through the day.

Sounds to me like you need some Doodle assistants. I would think you'd have plenty of very capable volunteers on you hands if you were to ask. Just my opinion again.

[Dori & Rua]

I would certainly volunteer to help.  I am sure you never imagined how successful DK would be, nor ever thought of the commitment and amount of time.  Add to that baby number 2 on the way.  I truly don't know HOW you do it.

 

Based on what you have said, it is taking up most of your free time and you no longer have much time to actually participate in discussions.  Now, the question for you, Adina, is do you want help or do you prefer to maintain total control and do it yourself? 

[Leslie J]

Adina, you don't need to apologize for having ads on DK- it is such a kindness that you have developed and provided this wonderful site which informs and entertains so many of us.  Maybe because I live in LA and have had to learn to ignore the billboards that are on on just about every block it's easier for me, but we can all learn to ignore what isn't relevant to us and occasionally click on something that could be of interest.  There will always be someone who's bothered by the ads, but I don't think it's possible to keep everyone happy :)

Thank you for all you have done to support our doodles!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Adina, I was surprised when I saw the ads on DK last night. But I am used to it, most sites I am part of do! :-) I understand your reasons completely. 

 

Just a suggestion for the obvious time drain DK is on you... I have seen lots of other large forums that have moderators (volunteers). They are usually the people with higher points, who know the rules well. I know that there are numerous people here who would be willing to do this to help out, myself included. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

This is what I said about the ads last night:

"There are now ads on all blogs and discussions. I think they are very intrusive!!! Not only that, there are rules against breeder sales on the front page and now the ads include them. Not only breeder ads but for those puppy brokers. Am I the only one revolted by this? It makes me sorry I sent a donation to DK, I am sad to say, since commercialization obviates the need for my support . Also, I intend to never click on these ads in order to give no support to this concept. What a sad happening. Is this the beginning of the end?" I did fix some typos.

I was particularly upset with seeing an ad from American Breeders, which is a puppy broker. They are one of the things this site has stood against. Are we to support them? I think this is "horribly inappropriate". As to responding to you alone, which is what I think you meant,I believe open dialogue is what should be encouraged. Should only kudos be on the front page but criticism, not personal, be private?

I admit it was in the heat of the moment. It would have helped had we had some forewarning of this. Communication is always very helpful. I respect and admire you as well as like you. I think you know that. I am very grateful that you founded this site and for the enormous amount of time you have put into it. It was not meant personally in any way. I try not to take critical comments, even from bald guys, personally. I have taken Life 101 and many more courses so I do realize the need for revenue. But I don't like the ads and most certainly will object to those that are inappropriate.

Perhaps once again this will put me in the minority and make me sound like a grumpy old lady. It may even make me glad that I upgraded my Netflix account (no ad intended) : ) I love DK, and I have spent a great deal of time on DK. I have learned a lot and made some great connections with people all over the country. I hope to continue to do that. As Sue said, there are a lot of potential volunteers.

And as for others, if you just put up with things because it's happening all over nowadays, it will only get worse. And if you want to click on the ads for support it will only get worse. But this is America, it is July 4th and we are all free to do as we think best.