Help!!!

[Neil]

Midnight Thursday 17 Oct 2024: and not one new post for the entire day except for this one.

I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm flogging a dead horse here.

The protests from members when it was shut down, by that other mob were huge, almost calling for violence. I gave it a new home and have bent over backwards to do everything possible to keep it running, but it's a bit like flogging a dead horse.
:flog:

Any one got any bright ideas to maybe help make this thing
rise like the phoenixfrom it's barely smouldering ashes.
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ANY and all suggestions will be looked at and where possible be acted on.

I hate to say this but it costs to keep something like this up and running and I can't keep shoving money into it without it working and at least making enough income to help itself keep up and running.

I've invested quite a few hundred hours and many $'s into it since throwing out the life line. Steven has also invested many hours in it along with DJ who's always keeping an eye out and also ivvested many many hours of his time.

So as per above, any and all suggestions which may be of help would be greatly appreciated and most welcomed.

Cheers - Neil :C

[ErrolFlynn]

Most things go through cycles. Sit back and relax. With the warmer weather almost upon us, activity may increase as folks begin new projects.

[havabeer69]

its hard because you're now competing against youtube (and to lesser extents social media groups) for when people want renovation help. much easier to watch a youtube video the open up and post on a forum and possibly wait a day or two for answer.


I used to frequent a toyota soarer forum, but its now the same as here, totally dead as most people now ask questions and follow along in one of the soarer dedicated facebook groups. I would assume there are similar home improvement groups where its really quick to post and really quick to get an answer.


SO unsure if you can join as many of those facebook groups as you can and just spam the forum web address so people know about it.

[ForeverYoung]

... when people want renovation help. much easier to watch a youtube video the open up and post on a forum and possibly wait a day or two for answer...t.

I blame them young folk :)
they want instant gratification ;)
and you can spend days sorting out the rubbish on utube.

don't get FB where the same questions are asked time and time and time again ...
searching is useless
and most groups don't use Files/Albums to store researched info.

[havabeer69]

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[r3nov8or]

I'm on a variety of forums and can say that they are all much quieter over the past few years. As above, other mediums have taken their toll.

The constant full screen ads won't helping, either

[Moondog55]

I can start stirring if you want. Or kick in a few dollars to offset costs but I to have noticed some of the other forums I belong to slowing down. Mark didn't move over and he was always good for a discussion. But our renovations are almost finished here so I don't need as much advice as I used to and very few new self-builds seem to be around

[Neil]

Thanks for the replies folks. Keep'em coming.

:2tsup:

[Neil]

The constant full screen ads won't helping, either

There are no full page ads on these forums or on WWF or MWF. There are the side sponsor ads and they are carryovers from WWF and MWF mostly because they have helped out over the years with prizes, moderating, etc.

Other than those and the Sponsors Forums, the only other ads are for non registered viewers and non contributing members who have to earn their way out of seeing annoying ads by posting.

What browser or other program are you using that brings up full page ads?

If it is Tapatalk, I believe you can pay to get them removed.
The ads on tapatalk have absolutely nothing at all to do with these or the other 2 forums.:~Cheers - Neil

[r3nov8or]

There are no full page ads on these forums or on WWF or MWF. ...
...
What browser or other program are you using that brings up full page ads?

I just dismissed one. I'll take a screen shot next time. I'm using Chrome browser on a Samsung Android mobile handset

[r3nov8or]

Just popped up...

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[Neil]

Thanks for that I've looked in the ads and there is noting I can find for Android or any other mobiles. Methinks they are something to do with Google and not the forums. If you are logged in there should be no ads shown to you. on any platform

I will see if I can get Steven to have a look at it and get back to you here.

Cheers - Neil

[Neil]

Have a look at this link to AVG it may help How to Stop Pop-Up Ads From Appearing on Your Android Phone (https://www.avg.com/en/signal/stop-pop-up-ads-android#:~:text=on%20your%20Android-,How%20to%20stop%20pop%2Dup%20ads%20on%20Android,then%20flip%20the%20toggle%20off.)

Pretty sure it's just Google doing what Google does and not us but the AGV info should fix the problem... maybe, possibly, or not. Let's know how you get on.

Cheers :U

[r3nov8or]

Just happened on Windows PC.
Again it's Chrome browser. I'll try a variety of browsers...

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[r3nov8or]

Have a look at this link to AVG it may help How to Stop Pop-Up Ads From Appearing on Your Android Phone (https://www.avg.com/en/signal/stop-pop-up-ads-android#:~:text=on%20your%20Android-,How%20to%20stop%20pop%2Dup%20ads%20on%20Android,then%20flip%20the%20toggle%20off.)
...
Checked. "Pop-ups and redirects" are blocked on both (Windows PC and Android)

This is only ever happening on RF, by the way

[r3nov8or]

Ad just happened on Edge browser. Does "#google_vignette" on the URLs provide any clues?

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Edit: https://support.google.com/adsense/thread/205920821/removing-a-pop-up-vignette-advert?hl=en
https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/9305577?hl=en&sjid=1195606477770279711-AP

[Neil]

Are you definitely logged in when these ads appear?

Google auto ads Ads are not enabled on these forums do you have the same problem with WWF or MWF. All 3 are set with the same advertising schedule so you would think the problem should be the same for you on all 3 forums

If I just open the forum without logging in, I also will get an add at the top of the screen as well as one in a thread and one below the bottom Navigation bar, as will anyone who isn't logged in will get and also new members who haven't posted.

I just used tapatalk without being logged in and got a full screen ad + 2 1/3 screen ads as I scrolled through a post. Tapatalk said I was logged in, so logged out and ads disappeared. I could not find how to log in to this forum so I reckon I was logged into tapatalk and not the forums. but no idea if this is right or not.

Let me know how you get on.

[Neil]

Steven has been notified, may take a while before he can get to this (he's a busy man, overworked and underpaid but very appreciated)

Will let you know what's up... hopefully.

[r3nov8or]

Are you definitely logged in when these ads appear?

Google auto ads Ads are not enabled on these forums do you have the same problem with WWF or MWF. All 3 are set with the same advertising schedule so you would think the problem should be the same for you on all 3 forums

If I just open the forum without logging in, I also will get an add at the top of the screen as well as one in a thread and one below the bottom Navigation bar, as will anyone who isn't logged in will get and also new members who haven't posted.

I just used tapatalk without being logged in and got a full screen ad + 2 1/3 screen ads as I scrolled through a post. Tapatalk said I was logged in, so logged out and ads disappeared. I could not find how to log in to this forum so I reckon I was logged into tapatalk and not the forums. but no idea if this is right or not.

Let me know how you get on.

Yes, I'm always logged in when these appear. I rarely manually logout, and I'm rarely required to login (latest login was when I tested on Edge this morning, can't recall the previous time, was ages ago)
As mentioned earlier, these ads are only on RF (not on WWF. (I don't use MWF))
I've never used Tapatalk. Just web browsers

[r3nov8or]

I've also noticed that only on RF, I get ads scrolling up from the bottom. Then sometimes, just a few seconds later, I get a fullscreen ad

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then a few seconds later...
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[Neil]

Will wait for sreven but I can't fid a problem. Have you cleared your cache & had your security program do a scam for viruses, malware, etc?

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[Neil]

Well that's different. I'm on mobile using tapatalk & hate it. Will shut my end down now and go have a Bex & a good lay down.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[r3nov8or]

One more :) . Thinking about cache, cookies, etc, I installed Firefox freshly on my mobile (never had it on this device before). Went to RF, waited a while, and got a full screen ad.

Those ads I mentioned which scroll up from the bottom on Windows 10 - they scroll down from the top on both Chrome and Firefox on mobile handset

[r3nov8or]

Ok, one more then... :)

I've never been much of a html coder, but this code for adsbygoogle only appears within RF pages. Not WWF nor MWF pages

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[Neil]

Here's a partial screen shot of our Google AdSense Advertising setup. Showing the box checked for: No Google AdSense Ads

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[Neil]

Is anyone else having this problem when you are logged in?

If so please let me know in this thread.

Thank you for any feedback.

[r3nov8or]

Here's a partial screen shot of our Google AdSense Advertising setup.

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That's just fine, but I got a full screen ad when I click on the image :) And here's a screen shot of an ad while I'm typing... (on Windows 10, Chrome)

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[Neil]

That doesn't look like a Google Ad.

All Google ads should have a Google Ads label... as per the screen capture below:

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Me thinks the problem could be at your end. No idea why or what but will wait to see what Steven says unless anyone else has any ideas.

[Neil]

This just reminded me that.

I had a man many years ago complaining that he kept getting ads on WWF for channels/sites and was disgusted that this was what we were pushing and what would happen if his granddaughter happened to see them. Had to explained to him that it was his searched and visited places that were generating those ads. To his immense embarrassment he discovered a tracking app hidden away on his computer which his security hadn't pick up.

Not saying this is what your problem is just remembering a very old and somewhat sad incident in the early days of predictive ads or whatever they were back then.

:lolabove:

[r3nov8or]

...
All Google ads should have a Google Ads label... ...

You mean like this one? Appears when hovering over the "i" (information) icon. Also note the URL at the bottom (appeared while hovering)

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[Neil]

Yep that'ns a Google Ad alright.

[r3nov8or]

Yep that'ns a Google Ad alright.
Yep, because there is adsbygoogle code in your HTML on RF :)

[r3nov8or]

I just used a different PC without logging into Google, and also with a new Google userid, and the same happens, whether logged into RF or not

[Neil]

OK give it a go now and see what happens.

Think I've sorted it. There was a couple of rogue ads set for users with posts between 20 and 100 posts for a leaderboard ad below the top and bottom Navigation Bar. They have been turned off.

Other ads are now all for guests and non posters in the forums and for anyone in the archive or should be.

Let me know how you get on with it now. If you still get any ads please tell me where they are showing and I'll try to hunt them down. At least I'm not on the phone now and can get way better access to the back room on the laptop and desktop computers.
No guarantee it is fully resolved but...:fingerscrossed:

Ads in Tapatalk for registered and logged in members will be from tapatalk not the forums. There are no mobile ads set that I can find.

[ErrolFlynn]

These forums have a following. People who have used them and found them to be good value and worthwhile. I’m one of them, and I thank everyone who has contributed to making that so.

First impressions can be lasting. We all know that. I’m wondering about the last few posts on this thread. If someone lands on these pages for the first time and is confronted by full-page ads, what will they think of the forum? These people probably assume that’s the way it will always be on the site. Why would they think anything else?

There’s no reason for us to assume that potential newbies will think those ads are only for them and will lessen as soon as they join up. Faced with a barrage of ads they might well be encouraged not to bother signing up, and go somewhere else. I've often skipped websites that take too long to load, or the screen explodes with something irrelevant (like an ad). I don't wait; I just click back to my Google search and select some other site.

Neil, you were asking for ideas to encourage membership/activity. Here’s one: drop the ads.

If you really need them to help pay for things, try and minimise them. Perhaps Steve can arrange the system so that there is a gentle introduction to ads for non-members. (Something to do with IP addresses, perhaps.) Consider something like, no ads for the first half a dozen site contacts, then after that, they begin to appear. Or, if that’s not possible then consider displaying ads to newcomers in the same way as you display ads for members. That would be fair, surely.

[Neil]

There should now be ads for guests only... One below top Nav bar and one above bottom Nav bar.

However at the moment when (logged out) I'm seeing ads in threads which shouldn't be there. I can't find a setting for them anywhere but will do a deep dive into these as the day progresses. Didn't have a chance to sort it last night and am bit under the hammer today. But hopefully I can find the problem and sort it out.

We do notify new members that posting on the forums will lessen or eradicate ads.

Will see if there is a way to add this information to guests. I seem to remember there was a notice for guests saying that the ads would all but disappear if they registered. But not on here so will see if I can sort that out later today also.

Cheer :U

[r3nov8or]

Thanks Neil. Ads for me have disappeared on all devices and browsers. I also see that the adsbygoogle HTML code is gone from the RF pages

[Neil]

All I can say is... https://www.ubeaut.biz/woohoo.gif

[r3nov8or]

All I can say is... https://www.ubeaut.biz/woohoo.gif
Woohoo indeed! Life is bliss without those ads. Sooo glad I mentioned them

[Neil]

Announcement for guests has now been set and is displayed at the top of all pages to non registered guests/visitors. To see this notice you will need to log out of Reno and view the site without logging back in.

Looks like the below but a bit more in-ya-face in a red bounded box with yellow background. So pretty hard to miss it.


Hello and welcome to Renovate Forums
IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST VISIT PLEASE NOTE:
You must REGISTER (https://www.renovateforums.com.au/register.php) to view pictures, participate, etc.
Register and you will also stop seeing the annoying ads.


As can be seen below I have also changed my signature to echo something similar to the above.

Cheers :U

[Neil]

I have also updated the Welcome Message (email) to read as follows:
The redie-brickie-brownie bit is the new addition to the original written by the late great Watson.

G'day Username,

Welcome to Renovate Forums! Your account has been activated and you are now able to ask for advice and contribute to the forums.

All information for using the forums, eg: how to make a post, what’s appropriate content and other handy tips can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions (http://https://www.renovateforums.com.au/faq.php)

Feel free to say hello and introduce yourself to other members in our G'day mate - THE WELCOME WAGON -Introduce yourself (http://http://www.renovateforums.com/f175/) forum.

By logging in and posting you will be promoted to a higher user group and all of the annoying ads will disappear. If you do not post you may see a couple of ads at top and bottom of the forums on all pages. If you do not log in you will see numerous ads all over the place.

As a new user your first posts may be moderated (won't show until approved by Admin) This is an extra precaution to help us keep forum members protected from from spammers, scammers and other ne'er-do-wells intent on doing the wrong thing.

So it may take from a few minutes to s few hours before your post will be approved and show.

Just a quick note that a lot of the members are workers so you might not get the answer you require until after "Knock-off", so settle in, make yourself at home, and if you need any "forum help" just let us know. You can do that by on Contact Us link at the bottom of all pages or CLICK HERE (http://http://www.renovateforums.com/sendmessage.php).

Best regards
The Admin Team
Renovate Forums

[ErrolFlynn]

I went incognito and searched for RF, and the following came up. So, if someone has a problem that needs a solution, someone who might be interested in joining the group, and they see this invite to, "chat with an expert," then as soon as they click they're sent somewhere else. We might never see them again.

If all our potential newbies click on that, then RF is being bypassed. It looks like it's part of RF, but it's not.


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[havabeer69]

don't you get some sort of site traffic and sign up data anyway?

pretty easy to see if people are coming to the site but no clicking register, THEN you can worry about that kind of stuff.


But I would assume its a fairly simple that the site just dones't get the traffic it used to (the shut down might not have helped this)
even now there is barely a new topic or old toppic discussed even coming here over the last 3 days there has been nothing.


It sounds harsh but i'm not sure it will ever return the glory years. I think enough people have moved on from here and found other sources of info or the younger generations coming through just don't engage on forums as much as the previous gens.

it sounds odd but maybe we do actually need some high follower count aussie renovate social media content creator to drop the forum name a few times to get traffic here.

[Moondog55]

Here ya go

https://www.renovateforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=259185&p=2333693#post2333693

[Neil]

I went incognito and searched for RF, and the following came up. So, if someone has a problem that needs a solution, someone who might be interested in joining the group, and they see this invite to, "chat with an expert," then as soon as they click they're sent somewhere else. We might never see them again.

If all our potential newbies click on that, then RF is being bypassed. It looks like it's part of RF, but it's not.


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That ad is flagged for deletion from our google ads. Has been for a couple of days it is one of a few similar ones all placed by the same mob "JustAnswers.com"

It is one among many that have been banned from the 3 forums including all soft and hardcore po'rn. We really don't lose out by people seeing ads as mostly what they see is what they have been using, been in their searches, cache, or visiting history that is being held by search engines etc, which are the main reason we get them here in the first place.

As for them no signing up, they do. Even on the best forums in the best times for every 100,000 who hit a site like forums or blogs etc only a couple genuine ones will join as opposed to scammers, spammers, etc who will sign up in dozens or even hundreds which has happened to us in the past on WWF and on MWF to a lesser extent. Hence the fact that WWF currently has 130,781 registered Members and not over 1,000,000 members because I do massive culls of all the bad guys from time to time. Had this not been done we would have been way over the 1 million mark a few years ago. We also would have had an unsafe barely usable forum.

That's just my personal culls of the members and doesn't include the following done by Spam-O-Matic, see below:
825,511 Spammers Denied Registration, 1,820 Spammers Permanently Banned, 1,798 Spammers submitted to StopForumSpam, 2,174 Spammers submitted to Akismet, and 16,459 Spammy Posts Automatically Moderated

So you can see how the ads really don't affect signups. The genuine ones will join the rest won't and the ones who won't don't really matter as they would most likely never post or participate in any other way.

As for stats here... There have been 182 new member registrations since the forums move to this new site at the beginning of May around 33 per month on average whilst WWF average 160 and MWF average 80. So by size and age of forums we're not doing too bad for new registrations.

However where Reno is falling down is in participation. If there are little to no posts there is little to no participation, little to no participation means the search bots have little or nothing new to list.

Since May this year Reno has averaged 150 post per month (ppm) however many of those have been me pulling in posts from the archives. Whilst for the same period WWF averaged 1,750 ppm and MWF had an average of 750 ppm.


But I would assume its a fairly simple that the site just doesn't get the traffic it used to (the shut down might not have helped this) even now there is barely a new topic or old topic discussed even coming here over the last 3 days there has been nothing.

Exactly right! It doesn't get the traffic because of the shut down by the last lot who completely abandoned all their members.


It sounds harsh but i'm not sure it will ever return the glory years. I think enough people have moved on from here and found other sources of info or the younger generations coming through just don't engage on forums as much as the previous gens.
It's not so much that the members moved on, it's more the fact that they don't know this forum even exists. :dunno: That's due to being totally abandoned by the last lot when they shut it down with little to no notice to members. Certainly not letting anyone know there was a rescue planned. To top it off that other lot refusing to pass on member info or anything else to help in keeping it running. Even after numerous attempts to contact them and help out they refused to take my call or have any contact with me. Hence we started off again behind the 8 ball with a forum that had info which was from 10 years before the other lot took over.
:gaah:
I started Reno on WWF in 2002 and it became so big that I split it off to its own site where it became another great resource, In 2013 the other lot took it over to boost their sales etc. In the 10 years they had the forums there would have been many thousands of members register and all were unceremoniously dumped when they closed down. Had I had access to the site and the members these forums would still be flourishing. So the problem lies solely at the feet of them not the current members, the forums or anyone or anything else.

A final word or few before apologising for this rant. Woodwork Forums started off 25 years ago 25th May 1999 with 6 members and grew by around 10 - 20 per mth for about 6 months, then that many per day Reno and Metalwork Forums both sprang from WWF and flourished in their own right. It was enthusiasm that grew all 3 forums and not despair. No reason why a bit of enthusiasm can't get this lot up and running again.

:cheerleader::brava::woot::Party:

Cheers - Neil :U

PS Oh yeah, almost forgot... SORRY FOR THE RANT! :C