This bulletin board, hosted by the CDSOA, Inc., is the on-line meeting place for all Cape Dory owners and groups. We welcome everyone's questions, answers and comments about Cape Dory sailboat
Walt Bilofsky (Webmaster) wrote: Financial reality has recently reared its ugly head. The California Cape Dory Owners Association, while cherishing our tradition of no dues, no bylaws, no Robert's Rules of Order, could nevertheless use a modest source of income for newsletter expenses and the like - the burgee and hat sales aren't totally covering it. And it's only a matter of time before my Internet Service Provider notices that I'm far exceeding the daily traffic volume included in my monthly service charge.
How does this community feel about allowing ad banners on this page and/or on the California Cape Dory Owners Association home page? It goes without saying that we would restrict ads to businesses we would want to support, such as Good Old Boat magazine, Robinhood and Spartan, and folks like that.
Walt Bilofsky
Webmaster
Company's like AdSmart can partner with us to deliver banners on the site. Because this website is about as niche as you can get, the information served to us in banners will be helpful. It would be nice to allow a West Marine online promotion - say a highly discounted GPS from the West Marine website offered exclusively to us. I am always in the market for new products for my new Cape Dory 25. Because this is a community built with a very common interest, there are a ton of commercial opportunities that will help us get the equipment we need for our boats. I have only been a Cape Dory owner for 1 month but visit this site every other day to check the message board. With revenue generated from the site, it can grow to allow more pictures and more specific info corners that will help connect Cape Dory owners with vendors that can help us ie business to consumer. The message board is great for consumer to consumer info but it lacks the business element. For example, JM canvas may want to post their information on the site along with templates of cushions and colors to choose from. This feature would have saved me time. Another idea is to get a group of enough owners together to incent a manufacturer to build a new brass window kit for CD25's etc. In my opinion, the more elaborate the site the better for all.
I think if banner ads benefit you and your efforts to keep this site going then it should be your sole discretion to make the decision. However, thanks for asking for the opinions of others. Mine opinion is sure, why not if it helps you!
Advertising products for use in our CD's sounds like a step in the right direction but only if we choose to look at the ads. IMHO, if I'm looking for a device or gadget that is needed aboard Jasmine, I usually ask the readers of this website for their comments. In other words, I'm the active agent looking for something. In that mode of thinking, Tom Coons had the idea of placing the ads and product information on separate pages of this website. That way if I'm looking for a GPS, I can go to the advertiser(s) on another page and suffer the downloads willingly. Plus, if there are any sales from West Marine or Boat US then I will become aware of the useful items as I read comments from contributors to the CD Message Board.
Regarding the California in CCDOA, it's hard to even think that an online site is restricted to one area. I think the word "California" became obsolete the minute CCDOA came online and disappeared into the ether. It's not really a part of cyberspace. Dropping California from the name would not cause me to miss anything. For rendezvous plans, again, another page for anyplace in the world could be set up. Of course, 95% of those in attendance would live nearby as always seems to be the case.
Walt,
What a great service and web page you have provided. Your judgement is excelent...do what you must to keep this thing afloat. Thanks for your continued efforts!
Walt Bilofsky (Webmaster) wrote: Financial reality has recently reared its ugly head. The California Cape Dory Owners Association, while cherishing our tradition of no dues, no bylaws, no Robert's Rules of Order, could nevertheless use a modest source of income for newsletter expenses and the like - the burgee and hat sales aren't totally covering it. And it's only a matter of time before my Internet Service Provider notices that I'm far exceeding the daily traffic volume included in my monthly service charge.
How does this community feel about allowing ad banners on this page and/or on the California Cape Dory Owners Association home page? It goes without saying that we would restrict ads to businesses we would want to support, such as Good Old Boat magazine, Robinhood and Spartan, and folks like that.
Walt Bilofsky
Webmaster
There is no free lunch. I think it is a fine idea. It may even provide some useful information.