OpenSource Banner Exchange? 4
TimRiker asks: "I run the Open Source project BZFlag and would like to increase awareness of its existence. I see ads for Open Source projects on Slashdot, SourceForge, Freshmeat, etc. Is there an OpenSource banner exchange around that will get my ad shown on other sites in exchange for displaying their ads on my site? I'd prefer not to show adds on my site for any non-free software." This is an interesting thought and it would go about "getting the word out" in an efficient manner. I haven't heard of such a service, but I think it might be a good idea. What about you?
But everyone hates banners (Score:3)
Surely the thread [slashdot.org] earlier today concerning banner ads made in abundantly clear that most technically savvy net users (ie, the people who might be interested in your open source project) either
(a) Have Junkbuster [junkbuster.com] or Proxomitron [cjb.net] or some such filter blocking out banners, or..
(b) Have highly-trained eyes which skip straight over any banner as if it wasn't there.
We don't want to see banner ads for your project on Slashdot. We don't want to see banner ads for Slashdot on your web page. We won't see those ads because Proxomitron doesn't care whether a banner is for BZFlag or Punch-The-Monkey, they all get blocked. I suggest you seek other techniques for getting your project known to people who might be interested in it. Sorry !!
Re:But NOT everyone hates banners (Score:3)
It's one of the few ways I get to find out about new products/sites that are related to the subject matter here. Besides, a lot of them (like the ThinkGeek ones) are pretty damned funny.
There's a difference between banners and _excessive banners_, and I don'tthink that slashdot has crossed that line.
I, for one, would like to see more of this. Maybe if there was a community set of banners, banner ads in general would move up a notch when it comes to taste, and we wouldn't NEED to block them so much.
Re: (Score:1)
Re:But NOT everyone hates banners (Score:1)
And on sites where the ad quality is high, I often look at the banners. Slashdot's ads are generally relevant to my interests, and when one catches my interest, I'll check it out. I'm really glad that they don't run punch-the-monkey, credit card, or other junk ads; I'm sure I'd tune 'em out pronto if they did.