Kiwi

As mentioned in the site update notice above, I am trialling a partnership with new third party advertiser called Ezoic. This is because BC needs the income and the last couple of years have been pretty bad for the digital marketing industry overall. I've really struggled to get sponsors on board by myself who are interested in display ads. Most of the larger names in the music industry I've spoken to, like Andertons and Reverb, expect us to join affiilate schemes which operate in a way (as a sales channel) that is different to how BC functions best (as a marketing platform). It's like Nike going to Youtube and offering them a commission based on the sales Youtube generates for them. The rate of return on affiliate advertising for us is pretty poor because that's not what we do. So this is a back stop while I wait for things to pick up within the industry or a better way of doing things emerges. Woody the other admin and I have also spent the last four months working through technical issues with Ezoic around cookie management on GC and today was supposed to be the start of a four week trial on BC. Apart from this hiccup, Ezoic have been pretty good to work with, very proactive and sensitive to my concerns about causing disruption and alarm. So to have something unexpected happen like this pop up is pretty disappointing given things were running so smoothly on GC. Now the important bit: The main objective of the advertising trial is to test if we can get more income in by increasing the advertising only to lurkers. That is, people viewing the site who are not signed in. We've gone to quite some lengths, including commissioning a new plug in from Invision, to avoid any increase in exposure to ads for members. We are also removing all exposure to ads for those members who are kind enough to support the site. The only way Ezoic can differentiate between members and supporting members is through cookies. So the plug in we commissioned puts a cookie in your browser cache that tells Ezoic what grade of membership you have. That should tell Ezoic whether to show ads in a browser window or not. Adblock should still work but it shouldn't be necessary if you are signed in. If you are blocking cookies, I can't predict what you will see - I hope the feedback you provide will help us minimise alarm and concerns. If you have any questions about what Ezoic does, feel free to ask them below and I'll either pass them on and report back, or if they're technically complex, I'll invite Ezoic to come on here and answer them directly. Finally: Just a reminder that this is a trial. That means initial testing for four weeks from today. From the first moment I started having discussions with them, I emphasised very strongly the need to establish a good fit with the community and to not cause alarm or concerns. If Ezoic is indeed a good fit and can provide the income needed to support the site then we'd like to keep them on board. If they cause more problems than they solve then...well, the search for an alternative source of income might have to continue.

I'll ask @Woodinblack if it might be something to do with our side.

Have you tried it in different browsers to rule out the possibility of browser cache issues?

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/482928-poll-would-you-contribute-towards-a-pa-sub-group-on-bc/

This poll came from a request by Happy Jack, based on his observations that at least half the bands he knows have a bassist responsible for the PA. Please register your interest below so we can clarify what interest there might be on BC for this sub group. The poll will close a week from now, on September 4th.

OK I'll take a look and see if I can repeat the same thing.

How about you set up a poll? That way the level of interest might be more than just a suspicion.

So there's no white X in a corner somewhere...? Could you please PM me a screenshot of your mobile? It'll help me understand your concerns a bit more clearly.

The criteria in my mind would be how much demand is there, how much value will it bring the membership as a whole and is there a risk it might make the site more cluttered?

Sorry about that. Can you remove it by clicking on it?

Have a look now, I've added it to your basket.

We updated the forum software this evening (Saturday). Everything appears to be working OK but if you spot any bugs, particularly in getting access to the site or entering text, let us know. We have also made a change to advertising for guests (viewers who are not logged in) and that'll come online in the next few days.

We are overdue for an update. Maybe it'll help?

Have you cleared your browser cache by pressing CRTL+F5?

Cherrs. That was going to be my fall back plan.

Does anyone know where I could get a replacement edit up/down knob?

Try playing around with these buttons.

I'll be long gone by then!

That's a pretty looking thing!

No pics? It would have been great for the FB page!