Have we been hacked?

[ubeaut]

Anyone who has received a message purporting to be from WWF please send a copy of same to:
[email protected] so it can be examined for source and we can hopefully shut them down and sent the perp(s) straight to hell, if they are actually coming from WWF.

The problem been reported to Steven and is being looked into and I'm pretty sure no one will have all your addresses.
_____________________

AS FOR THE ADS:

I have reinstated the ads on the forums for everyone as up until now web surfers landing on our pages have been the main ones to see ads and they along with me are who/what have kept the forums free for the members. It is starting to become costly again keeping the forums up and running.

A major drop in revenue has come about over the last couple of years because many more people are now using iThings, phones and other mobile devices, where unfortunately, we haven't been able to show ads. Having popups, drop-downs, ads etc blocked has also added to the fact that ad revenue has dropped as many members just don't see the ads that may at some time be of interest or benefit.

Only way to help subsidise the running and maintenance of these forums is to reinstate the ads for everyone.

The main, in your face ad, at the top of the page isn't massive and takes up less screen space than the forum header. Not really a hardshi, as it will only take half a roll of your scroll wheel on a mouse to move it off your screen if you find it offensive or just can't handle having it appear on your free forums.

The second is in the right column below the forum sponsors, for those who don't have that blocked. Been there for ages.

The third is at the bottom of all page just above the bottom Navigation Bar and has also been there for ages.

The ads at the top and bottom will resize themselves to now be able to fit whatever device is being used. The side one doesn't appear on mobile devices.

Most of the ads can be cancelled by the viewer but will reappear again when a new screen is loaded.

Without the meager income from the ads the forums may soon (in the very worst case scenario) cease to exist. I'm at the point where I can't afford to keep paying out of my own pocket to keep the forums up and running. I don't want to make it a subscription forum where members have to pay so the only answer is the ads.

Members have had it pretty good here being mostly ad free for almost 17 years to signed in members. I haven't done this lightly and it isn't something I wanted to do, but for now it seems to be the only way forward.

Cheers - Neil

PS The ads are contextual, so they will pick up on things you have searched or visited in the past. Could be in the last hour, week, month or year. If you happen to be traveling they may pick up on where you are and show info for that place. If you are offended by adult, or dating ads showing up, don't blame the forums just stop going to adult sites.

This reply may be removed if it is deemed to be contrary to advertisers rules.

[Old-Biker-UK]

All clear to me now.
No problem with the Ads as long as they keep the Forums going and on the credit side of the spreadsheet.
Mark

[Treecycle]

I am seeing an ad for "Wenge & African Mahogany" near the top of the market place listings. Is this one of the necessary ads or is it something that has snuck under the radar? It is there every time I go in and never changes even after clearing my cookies and browsing history.
Just curious.

[ubeaut]

That would be a member who has actually paid a couple of $'s to promote his item(s) Hasn't snuck in under the radar nor is it a hack. It's a genuine link to the sellers ad in the Market Place.

Anyone who places an ad in the Market Place can promote their listing by paying a couple of dollars. Most choose not to.

All Commercial (paid) ads will appear outside of the forums sections... ie at the very top of the page (just below the top Navigation Bar) on the right side of the page (beneath the sponsors banners) and at the bottom of all pages (above the bottom navigation Bar).

If you are not logged in or have never posted you may also see one beneath the first post in a thread.

[Chesand]

While they can be annoying, I am happy to tolerate the ads for the continuation of the Forum. A small price to pay (no pun intended)

[Treecycle]

I think the extra ads have caught us all by surprise. Now that we know the story behind them and there was nothing sinister happening, we will accept them and just get on with life and be thankful we still have a free forum to enjoy.