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Thread: Community Banners | This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 · «PREV / NEXT» |
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JoonasTo

   
      
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted November 30, 2014 09:36 PM |
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Also, you can customise what Adblock does and doesn't show so hosting the community banners behind a different address would allow the adblock users to enable community banners but keep the ads disabled.
That is, if you want that to be possible.
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DON'T BE A NOOB, JOIN A.D.V.E.N.T.U.R.E.
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Maurice


Hero of Order
Part of the furniture
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posted November 30, 2014 11:18 PM |
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Edited by Maurice at 23:19, 30 Nov 2014.
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Valeriy said: Using adblock, however, is like riding the bus without the ticket. The user with adblock enabled will be getting all the benefits of the web site while preventing the web site from generating advertising revenue.
I respect your point of view, but I disagree with it. Basically, what you're saying is that everyone can ride the bus without a ticket (there is no locked content after all) but you have to endure the presence of all sorts of extra bells and whistles, which have little or nothing to do with the bus drive itself. Let's say a tender carriage that's moving in the bus, selling drinks, food and magazines. Some people may purchase stuff from it (which keeps the bus going), but other people will ignore the tender and only be annoyed by it, because the tender has a tendency to drive over their toes and block the view on that side of the bus (banners usually have animations running to draw attention - and when you want your attention elsewhere, it's distracting).
In reallife busses, you have to purchase a ticket first before you can even enter and sit down . Suppose busrides were free but you'd have a tender moving in the bus, I am not likely to buy anything from it either .
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Valeriy


Mage of the Land
Naughty, Naughty Valeriy
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posted December 01, 2014 12:58 AM |
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Maurice, I think you're missing the point of the metaphor. The bus runs on fuel, not air, and doesn't magically repair itself. The bus company also did not just wish the bus into existence.
Advertising is an indirect means of generating revenue. It is adopted by web sites to allow the users to access their content without having to pay. This makes the web more inclusive because the web sites can offer the same information to users who would not be able or willing to pay. Adblocking is undermining this indirect funding model.
Reacting or not reacting to advertisements is an individual choice. In fact, artificial reactions are discouraged. However, wanting something that costs time and money to provide delivered at no charge and with no inconveniences whatsoever is a utopian attitude that is a bit out of touch with how human society currently functions.
In terms of the metaphor, I suppose the HC Supporter feature could be seen as buying an optional ticket and riding with no tender carriages.
On the technical side of things, it is not hard for webmasters to overcome adblocker software and do whatever they want with the users who use it - ex: blanking out page content, redirecting to another page, etc. I have no plans for taking these drastic measures, but there will probably be a message in the header informing the users that their adblocker is on and asking them to support the site by white-listing it.
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You can wait for others to do it, but if they don't know how, you'll wait forever.
Be an example of what you want to see on HC and in the world.
http://www.heroesofmightandmagic.com
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Maurice


Hero of Order
Part of the furniture
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posted December 01, 2014 08:51 AM |
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Valeriy said: Maurice, I think you're missing the point of the metaphor. The bus runs on fuel, not air, and doesn't magically repair itself. The bus company also did not just wish the bus into existence.
Advertising is an indirect means of generating revenue. It is adopted by web sites to allow the users to access their content without having to pay. This makes the web more inclusive because the web sites can offer the same information to users who would not be able or willing to pay. Adblocking is undermining this indirect funding model.
Maybe so, but what I'm trying to point out is that it's a reverse situation, really. The bus ride is free, but instead of asking people to purchase a ticket, they get confronted with a tender from which they can purchase stuff - or not. The option to buy a ticket was never present until recently. And what I'm argueing is that there are people (and I am sure that I am far from the only one) who rather buy a ticket than deal with the tender. That many websites don't offer a ticket service is something I've never understood and I think the main reason that AdBlock plus was developed in the first place.
Quote: Reacting or not reacting to advertisements is an individual choice. In fact, artificial reactions are discouraged. However, wanting something that costs time and money to provide delivered at no charge and with no inconveniences whatsoever is a utopian attitude that is a bit out of touch with how human society currently functions.
And the point I am trying to make is that people like me avoid adds if they can. I don't recall ever clicking a banner on any site, unless it was accidental. That means that any website running adds is not going to generate revenue from me or people like me, essentially making me a freeloader. Yet, I am more than willing to support a website if I make use of it on a frequent basis, like this one - but again, until recently, the option to do so was missing.
With that said, I am happy that you made both options available, so I could become a supporter .
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Valeriy


Mage of the Land
Naughty, Naughty Valeriy
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posted December 01, 2014 09:49 AM |
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Edited by Valeriy at 09:50, 01 Dec 2014.
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Ah, I see what you mean now. You actually prefer to "buy the ticket" and question why many web sites don't offer this option instead of advertising. That is a good question. I wonder what percentage of internet users think this way, and whether we will start seeing multiple funding options on more web sites in the future.
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You can wait for others to do it, but if they don't know how, you'll wait forever.
Be an example of what you want to see on HC and in the world.
http://www.heroesofmightandmagic.com
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Valeriy


Mage of the Land
Naughty, Naughty Valeriy
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posted December 02, 2014 07:00 PM |
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Edited by Valeriy at 01:41, 04 Dec 2014.
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Received two community banners so far - both animated GIFs and both severely exceeding the file size limit. I've added some tips and info about making animated GIFs to the first post of this thread.
Remember that making a static JPG banner within the file size limit is a lot easier.
EDIT:
First Community Banner is in circulation, look out for it
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You can wait for others to do it, but if they don't know how, you'll wait forever.
Be an example of what you want to see on HC and in the world.
http://www.heroesofmightandmagic.com
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mvassilev

   
      
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted December 04, 2014 04:05 AM |
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Valeriy said: Ah, I see what you mean now. You actually prefer to "buy the ticket" and question why many web sites don't offer this option instead of advertising. That is a good question. I wonder what percentage of internet users think this way, and whether we will start seeing multiple funding options on more web sites in the future.
I don't think it'll catch on. It'd be a barrier to entry because would-be new members would be asked to pay for something they'd know next to nothing about. For example, imagine if HC charged a registration fee - we wouldn't have many members.
However, selling some kind of bonus tier of membership, like Val is doing now, is a good idea.
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Eccentric Opinion
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Maurice


Hero of Order
Part of the furniture
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posted December 04, 2014 09:02 AM |
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mvassilev said: I don't think it'll catch on. It'd be a barrier to entry because would-be new members would be asked to pay for something they'd know next to nothing about. For example, imagine if HC charged a registration fee - we wouldn't have many members.
However, selling some kind of bonus tier of membership, like Val is doing now, is a good idea.
In all honesty, I agree. Both systems have their merits; giving your visitors choices is a good thing - and that's indeed what Val is doing now .
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Valeriy


Mage of the Land
Naughty, Naughty Valeriy
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posted December 04, 2014 08:48 PM |
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Edited by Valeriy at 21:38, 04 Dec 2014.
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Implemented a message for ad blocking software users. The message appears instead of the ad banner when the ad banner is prevented from displaying by ad blocking software:
Quote: [Advertisement Blocked by Ad Blocking Software]
Heroes Community has 1 ad per page to fund its upkeep and development. Ads on HC are pre-selected and safe.
You can support HC by using the "Disable on heroescommity.com" option in Adblock, or by becoming a Supporter.
The aim of this message is to inform users about the number and type of ads we have on Heroes Community as well as why the ads are here. It is a positive encouragement to participate in one of our two funding models - either by viewing a low amount of safe advertising or by making a small donation.
If you are an HC Supporter (or a Moderator) and you use AdBlock, don't forget to adjust the ad settings in your profile (set filtering to level 1, 2 or 3) to ensure that you don't see this message.
EDIT: Galaad made a second community banner, this one promoting the HOMM3 tactics thread - now also in circulation.
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You can wait for others to do it, but if they don't know how, you'll wait forever.
Be an example of what you want to see on HC and in the world.
http://www.heroesofmightandmagic.com
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Galaad


Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
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posted December 06, 2014 01:52 AM |
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Edited by Galaad at 12:52, 06 Dec 2014.
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Maybe the ERA II thread could benefit promotion too ?
Here's an idea, it certainly can be better, any thoughts ?
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artu

  
      
Promising
Undefeatable Hero
My BS sensor is tingling again
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posted December 06, 2014 01:57 AM |
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Yes, and more importantly, the Era Mods thread needs to be constantly edited as people come up with new mods or update existing ones all the time. There are more than a 100 mods under Era and as things are, it's the biggest source of confusion and wilderness because nothing can be edited.
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Are you pretty? This is my occasion. - Ghost
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TDL

    
    
Honorable
Supreme Hero
The weak suffer. I endure.
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posted December 06, 2014 09:13 AM |
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Where did the weird red/gold colors disappear from yesterday?
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VokialBG

    
     
Honorable
Legendary Hero
First in line
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posted December 06, 2014 10:13 AM |
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Who made all already existing banners and where can I see them all in one place? Is there sort of thread? Also where to send them?
My last exam is on 17 of December, and after that I'll like to create some Or at least to try
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Galaad


Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
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posted December 06, 2014 12:51 PM |
bonus applied by Valeriy on 08 Dec 2014. |
Edited by Galaad at 19:25, 08 Dec 2014.
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VokialBG said: Who made all already existing banners and where can I see them all in one place? Is there sort of thread? Also where to send them?
Here are the ones I've made so far


You are right, we should center propositions into this thread, submit and discuss about them here 
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EDIT
Ongoing work, alternative proposition for ERA II thread. Any comment as feedback is welcomed.

EDIT 2
After Artu's feedback. Please comment.

EDIT 3
More ideas coming from Salamandre's suggestions.

EDIT 4
After Valeriy's reply on next page, I've come to the conclusion that a single, discreet yet intriguing image would be the best.
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artu

  
      
Promising
Undefeatable Hero
My BS sensor is tingling again
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posted December 07, 2014 02:34 AM |
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I think the first Era II one above a few posts is better.
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Are you pretty? This is my occasion. - Ghost
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Galaad


Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
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posted December 07, 2014 02:39 AM |
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Edited by Galaad at 02:40, 07 Dec 2014.
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Thanks for comment, what do you like better about it ?
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artu

  
      
Promising
Undefeatable Hero
My BS sensor is tingling again
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posted December 07, 2014 03:58 AM |
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The emphasis on Era title is clearer and things are more readable in general. The second one looks like it's trying to squeeze to much into a banner. Not that I totally dislike it, I just think the first one is a better approach.
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Are you pretty? This is my occasion. - Ghost
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Galaad


Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
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posted December 07, 2014 01:31 PM |
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Edited by Galaad at 13:54, 07 Dec 2014.
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Thanks to Artu's comments, I've made another one, in a attempt to merge both ideas (EDIT 2 in my post a bit above).
Now waiting for community's feedback.
Please, if you find it good enough to circulate, say so. If you find it bad, please say so as well.
Explaining your reasons in no more than one or two sentences like Artu did is already helpful.
I find the idea of promoting valuable threads of HC to be very good as it makes the website more user-friendly to newcomers, unaware of so many jewels.
When I discovered HC, I spent some time looking through modding sections, and if it wasn't for me, some friends wouldn't be aware of such outstanding content.
At the top of mind, other threads that could/should benefit more visibility :
- Horn of the Abyss
- HoMM2 Museum
- Heroes of Might and Magic III : The Succession Wars
- Eternal Essence
- HV Graphics overall
- Most HV mods (HIV spell system, RPE, NCF etc)
- ERA 100+ Mods thread
- HIV Equilibris
I am missing others obviously..
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Salamandre

     
       
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Wog refugee
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posted December 07, 2014 01:48 PM |
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If you really desire to make one for Era, I would suggest short and clear labels. The ones you choose show that you did not explore much wog/era 
Portability, new buttons, then you paste image from custom battlefields, not so great. That era is portable means nothing, every game is now portable, every single megabyte we download is portable. Era also does not have custom buttons, the mods MAY add custom buttons and this info means not much.
So, if you still want to design something, despite my uncivilized and arrogant criticism, I suggest:
1st frame: Mod HoMM3 as you never could - ERA II now available
2nd frame: Create your own game, play it with your rules: ERA II
Something simple, which suggest complete freedom, no technical stuff, then easy to quick read.
Also, if you need some image for background, This.
My two cents.
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Era II mods and utilities
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Galaad


Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
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posted December 07, 2014 01:58 PM |
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Edited by Galaad at 14:00, 07 Dec 2014.
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Well that's great feedback thank you very much.
Should I keep the Shield with homm3 and era2 design or is it plain ugly ? Is the font ok or should I leave it white ?
Edit : thanks for the image background, I've missed it.
Also, yes, I only played a few casual games with ERA, I switched to HoTA when v1.0 came out as I prefer a more traditional gameplay 
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