Should we allow ad banners on this page?

[Walt Bilofsky (Webmaster)]

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



bilofsky@toolworks.com

[Tom Coons]

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

Walt, I sure don't think you should pay the expenses of keeping this website going, but I don't like the idea of ads on "our" bulletin board either. Here's some ideas that come to mind and I wonder how others feel about these: How about a icon up there in the row with "Where to Look" and "C.D. Registry" and so on for advertisers. It could be called "Where to get CD parts & supplies" or something like that. Spartan and Robinhood and others who advertise there would then be our "official" suppliers. It ought to be worth something to them to be blessed by our board and they'd have to supply something related to Cape Dorys to be eligible so you could screen ads.

As you know we're always refering people to Robinhood and Spartan on the BB anyway so we could direct people to our suppliers in our postings and wouldn't have to post telphone nos. and email addresses over and over again.

Failing that how about asking everyone to send a few bucks in to keep the board ad free. I'd be glad to contribute and I'm sure others would also. When the pot ran low you could ask again. Any time the response was inadequate you could run ads and then no one could complain and we'd all understand.

On a different subject but as long as we're asking advice let me mention something else. I'm in California, but it seems to me that we have as many "members" outside of Calif. as we do inside. How do you feel about becoming the "Cape Dory Owner's Assoc." and dropping the "Calif" limitation? It seems a more appropriate title to describe who we are. I don't want to hurt the original founder's feelings so if this is a touchy subject I apologize in advance.

Incidentally we've got the best Owner's Association Website on the net. Awhile back someone said they choose to buy a CD because of the support available on this website. Many thanks to you for designing and maintaining the best site in cyberspace!



TacCambria@thegrid.net

[Bill]

As a non-member yet CD owner, I really enjoy this page and chearish it as a resource. The fact that there are no ads is terrific, however I understand the fiscal end of the situation. My vote (if I was a member) would be for something other than ads!

Bill
S/V Rhapsody
CD25D

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

cd25d@clnk.com

[Russell]

I like Tom Coons' idea with regard to a few selected companies such as Spartan, and would even carry it a little further. Why not offer them the opportunity to write a regular article aimed at this audience, in return for a moderate payment? They get to speak directly to potential customers, and this site gets *both* content (albeit commercial) and financial support.

Personally, I have no objection to banner ads. I just ignore them. If you go this route, I would suggest only that you make sure the banners are limited in size and load last, so that people with slow connections do not suffer unduly. (The advertisers, of course, want the opposite: a lot of bytes that load first.)

I would second the proposal to changing the name. I have not yet joined, and sometimes I wonder if it is just because it is the California CDOA, rather than the Texas CDOA. Are there other CDOAs? Are they active? Do they have an Internet presence?

Finally, I would add my hurrah: this site is a great resource for Cape Dory owners.

[Ryan Turner]

Tom's got some good ideas. Personally, I'd rather not have to wait for advertisers animated banners and such to load before I can get to the messages. But of course, Walt should not have to pay for the running of this board. The users of the board should. Maybe suppliers would pay a nominal amount to have a link built right into the page. It would be very easy to take if they were all collected in one spot (like behind a button called "where to get CD parts and supplies").



rdtec@aol.com

[Bruce Bett]

Walt:

How about a pledge week? I'd be willing to kick in a few bucks now and then to keep this board up and add free. How about the rest of you folks?

Bruce Bett
Sostenuto
CD 25 #496

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

bettb@macomb.cc.mi.us

[Joe Brown]

Hi, Walt: I've never been in favor of ads on the internet but if they will help keep the Cape Dory page alive, so be it. I bought a Cape Dory 28 last Fall and even though I have yet to sail it (I hauled for the winter two days after purchase) the CD page has become the most valuable web site in my computer. Through a long winter I have learned more about this boat and its sister Cape Dorys than from any other source. I would also second the motion to broaden the scope of the membership beyond California. (I'm located in Maine.) Making the Cape Dory manual available online was another fine service. I have the original manual but for those who don't, being able to download and print it out is much appreciated, I'm sure. Keep up the very fine work. - Joe Brown, Rockport, Maine



joebrown@mint.net

[Darin Bartram]

I have always liked the absence of ads, and the idea of a pledge week is promising. Walt, maybe you could give us an idea of what sort of money you would have to raise to cover expenses (before and after the ISP discovers our usage level).



dbartram@hunton.com

[Don Sargeant]

I'm one of those who chose a CD recently and the support by this board helped make the decision. I, personally, ignore Web ads and resent having to wait for them to load, but the cost of the board must be borne by someone. I'd contribute whatever it takes, but then the Assoc. will need to get involved with a treasury and all that involves -- taxes and records and the like -- which sorta defeats the original free-wheeling structure. Can we just sneak you a coupla bucks from time to time Walt?

Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD 25D #189
Greenwich Cove

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

Walt, I sure don't think you should pay the expenses of keeping this website going, but I don't like the idea of ads on "our" bulletin board either. Here's some ideas that come to mind and I wonder how others feel about these: How about a icon up there in the row with "Where to Look" and "C.D. Registry" and so on for advertisers. It could be called "Where to get CD parts & supplies" or something like that. Spartan and Robinhood and others who advertise there would then be our "official" suppliers. It ought to be worth something to them to be blessed by our board and they'd have to supply something related to Cape Dorys to be eligible so you could screen ads.

As you know we're always refering people to Robinhood and Spartan on the BB anyway so we could direct people to our suppliers in our postings and wouldn't have to post telphone nos. and email addresses over and over again.

Failing that how about asking everyone to send a few bucks in to keep the board ad free. I'd be glad to contribute and I'm sure others would also. When the pot ran low you could ask again. Any time the response was inadequate you could run ads and then no one could complain and we'd all understand.

On a different subject but as long as we're asking advice let me mention something else. I'm in California, but it seems to me that we have as many "members" outside of Calif. as we do inside. How do you feel about becoming the "Cape Dory Owner's Assoc." and dropping the "Calif" limitation? It seems a more appropriate title to describe who we are. I don't want to hurt the original founder's feelings so if this is a touchy subject I apologize in advance.

Incidentally we've got the best Owner's Association Website on the net. Awhile back someone said they choose to buy a CD because of the support available on this website. Many thanks to you for designing and maintaining the best site in cyberspace!

Don@cliggott.com

[zeida]

While the value of having this tremendously useful Website is priceless, "for everything else there is Master Charge"... Sailors, let's face reality. I for one, favor ad banners to help Walt continue the wonderful service he provides all of us. Those banners are a necessary evil for anyone trying to provide a service these days. They are only a sort of eyesore, but also very easy to ignore. Don't look at them, if you prefer, or look, they may also offer problem solving avenues. I am sure that all the marine equipment& supplies manufacturers would consider participating. I have been in touch with Ritchienavigation, Harken, Interlux, Datamarine, Autohelm and more, all thru the internet, and gotten instant replies to my queries.
Thru the Capedory site, they could have instant-access icons for us to link up with them, if needed, or just ignore them. If Walt designs the banners and icons in a way that they do not disrupt our current way of communicating with one another, we should give him the opportunity to make some money for what he is doing.

The type of inflexible purist (like my uncle used to be, he even refused to try an electric typewriter and when it came to sailing, heaven forbid if anybody ever talked about racing!) should be a thing of the past.

Anyway, that is only my opinion.
Zeida



zcecil@ibm.net

[Tony Raymond]

Walt, I would say YES. First, anything worthwhile having is hardly ever free. This website is definatly worth keeping going. So a little "payment" by viewing ad's is fine with me. After you have read them once you just ignor them.

I don't see anything wrong with boat related ads, I'm always looking for more things to buy... isn't that part of boat owning, spending every last nickle. Seriously, I think it would actually enhance the page by providing information that we are all interested in. Most of the CD owners are probably "Nautically obsessed" and therfor will read anything about boats and equipment.

Tony



tony.raymond@worldnet.att.net

[Ben Thomas]

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

Walt & everyone concerned. CCDOA has been an incredible resourse for me as a cape dory owner. this bookmark is the first to be scanned everyday, sometimes several times. hailing port is in portland, or. it has never even entered my mind to feel left out, so location and the naming is not or never will be a concern, except for the voyage south to join in the events someday. as always I'am finding these days, life is a double edged sword. the board is more than great the way it stands and I would gladly contribute what I can for the continuation of it if you choose to ask for donations. the issue of commercial links is not offensive, in fact they would let me delete redundent bookmarks to that ever expanding list. look for my support in whatever you decide. (we are all in the same boat) so to speak. many thanks for all your work!! ben ty. weekender" carpe diem"



btlandscapers@imagina.com

[Jerry Axler]

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

I think this is a great website and if it is necessary for financial reasons to get sponsorship to continue it, go for it. I would hope that the advertising is kept to a minimum, but I see no reason why the expense of this site should fall on any one person's shoulders.

Jerry



cutter36@erols.com

[John MacArthur]

Snip

How does this community feel about allowing ad banners

Snip

Walt Bilofsky
Webmaster

I sure would be glad to contribute a little. How much are you talking about? Or, how many people kicking in $10 each would it take to keep ads off the site? On the other hand, someone's suggestion that ads be in the form of links would be ok, too. On the third hand, if the number of people who would help is too small, or the amount you need too large, then "good" ads would be ok by me. About the name thing--it's fine with me the way it is. Anyway, who'd want to see "New Mexico Cape Dory Owner's Association"?

John MacArthur
Taos, NM



jmac@laplaza.org

[Matt Cawthorne]

Walt,
I hate waiting for things to load up. If ads slow me down then I will less likely to sneak a peak at the bulletin board at lunch etc. I think that it would be more work for you to try to get and monitor sponsorship than to simply cash some donation checks. How about post your snail mail address and see what turns up in it? If it turns out that we are all a little too tight with our wallets then we will have to wait while 'dancing baloney' downloads.
Thanks for the great bulletin board. I enjoy it very much.

Matt

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

mcawthor@bellatlantic.net