"Ads by Google" ?

[Jason Blasberg]

Does everyone have this at the top of their screen with links to Google ads?

Is this joke?  If not, will Tommy's successor please  delete my account immediately . . . please tell me this is either a joke or something messed up with my computer . . .

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Does everyone have this at the top of their screen with links to Google ads?

It's not just you.

[Michael Christensen]

Toto...we are not in Kansas anymore.......

[Sam Morrow]

I've got it also.

[Paul Jones]

I did not notice it until I read this thread - cannot be too bad.

[Tom Roewer]

WHEW!!   GLAD IT'S A SHARED INFECTION.

[JMorgan]

I don't have it ... which browser are you guys using?  (I use Firefox.)

[Kalen Braley]

As far as Ads on a site go, thats about as low key as you get.

I'm using IE 7 and can see them as well.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

I don't have it ... which browser are you guys using?  (I use Firefox.)

I have them on Firefox.

[Chris Cupit]

I have them on Safari as well but I don't think they are a big deal--pretty unobtrusive although no ads was a  lot "nicer".  

[Phil_the_Author]

JK (and all others of like mind),

Regarding the thought, "Does everyone have this at the top of their screen with links to Google ads? Is this joke?  If not, will Tommy's successor please  delete my account immediately . . . please tell me this is either a joke or something messed up with my computer . . . "

Do you protest and refuse to watch the Open? Do you refuse to check what time it is when you see another of those 15-foot tall (at least they look that large) monstrosities placed on every major golf course by Rolex? Would you turn down an opportunity to play Merion, Oakmont, Shinnecock, Bethpage, etc... as a guest of someone who is taking part in a day outing set apart for American Express Card members at U.S. Open courses by the USGA?

Like the ads or not, Ran has carried us all far too long...

[jeffwarne]

Those are without a doubt the LEAST obtrusive ads I've ever seen.
You have to work harder to notice them than you do to ignore them.
Get over it.

I know it's not the case(quite the opposite I'm sure), but it would thrill me if Ran were making millions off the site-It would insure the longevity of one of the best resources out there for golf architecture, travel, and history.

[Paul Sinclair]

I am using NetCaptor as my primary browser and I do not get the ad bar. When I view the site using MS Internet Explorer, I can see the ad bar at top. It must be browser dependent whether they appear or not.

[Craig Sweet]

I saw them and have already dropped two grand on swing aids, healing bracelets and and 4" tees....

[Mark Bourgeois]

I don't have it ... which browser are you guys using?  (I use Firefox.)

You probably have AdBlocker installed.  It breaks into the site's source code and erases the Google ads.

In Firefox I don't see the ad bar; however, I do see it in IE.

I tried temporarily removing the AdBlocker code for Google ads on Firefox, and lo and behold "Ads by Google" appears.  It disappeared when AdBlocker was reactivated.

Mark

[Jason Blasberg]

Those are without a doubt the LEAST obtrusive ads I've ever seen.
You have to work harder to notice them than you do to ignore them.
Get over it.

While they are very low key I would much prefer to have to pay an annual membership fee if operating costs are an issue.
Commercialism will ruin this site and it's independent integrity forever compromised  . . . if the ads stay I go . . .

Can either Ran or Ben comment on the decision to permit the ads and the purpose . . .  

[wsmorrison]

JKB,

If the ads stay, you go?  That's your prerogative.  

I suppose it is a deliberate move on Ran's part to ensure the continuation of the site.  Do you have any idea how much this site costs to build and maintain?  Do you realize how much money comes out of Ran's pocket for this site that we all enjoy? Why get so outraged at the innocuous attempt Ran made to keep things going?  

I care that the site stays and if it takes a tiny little ad banner that I pay absolutely no attention to, then so be it.  Who cares?  Well, I guess you do.  You worry about commercialism.  It hasn't infected the site nor do I think it ever will.  Ran deserves more credit and the benefit of your doubt.

[Eric_Terhorst]

While they are very low key I would much prefer to have to pay an annual membership fee if operating costs are an issue.
Commercialism will ruin this site and it's independent integrity forever compromised  . . . if the ads stay I go . . .

Can either Ran or Ben comment on the decision to permit the ads and the purpose . . .  

   To make a little extra cash?  What is so offensive about that?  

The following is from the Google web site:
https://www.google.com/adsense/login/en_US/?gsessionid=bu-YmadHk0Y


How do I get paid?
You get paid whenever someone on your site clicks on one of the AdSense ads. Advertisers can also bid to appear on your site on a CPM (cost per thousand impressions) basis. Both CPC and CPM bids compete in our AdWords program to ensure that you optimize your ad revenue.

Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)
We have an EFT payment system available in a number of countries, which will help get your AdSense earnings delivered directly to your bank account every month without any additional effort.

How much do I get paid?
How much you earn depends on a number of factors including how much an advertiser bids on your site -- you'll receive a portion of what the advertiser pays. The best way to find out how much you'll earn is to sign up and start showing ads on your web pages.

Let's see...a few unobtrusive links get pasted at the top of the page....They appear to be randomly selected, so no potential for "conflict of interest" if you're worried about that...  

Every time a reader clicks through, web site gets paid and nobody has to buy a thing--and the problem with that is...  

Click through and toss a few pennies in the gca.com bank account or throw a hissy fit and leave...you make the call!

[Jon Spaulding]

Perhaps the ads can be turned off for those that contribute to the site? I would rather take the operating costs divide by quantity of members and pay that amount.
 
I do find it perverse that while reading the mission statement on the home page...........or a thread bashing the topic......that a google ad for "golf club ratings" is flies directly above.

[Richard Boult]

Those are without a doubt the LEAST obtrusive ads I've ever seen.
You have to work harder to notice them than you do to ignore them.
Get over it.

While they are very low key I would much prefer to have to pay an annual membership fee if operating costs are an issue.
Commercialism will ruin this site and it's independent integrity forever compromised  . . . if the ads stay I go . . .

Can either Ran or Ben comment on the decision to permit the ads and the purpose . . .  

Get over it is right! Site's that depend on annual membership rarely succeed. A non-obtrusive ad banner on top that generates enough cash to cover expenses (or even make a profit) is a great way to make this superb site available to all!

[jeffwarne]

Those are without a doubt the LEAST obtrusive ads I've ever seen.
You have to work harder to notice them than you do to ignore them.
Get over it.

While they are very low key I would much prefer to have to pay an annual membership fee if operating costs are an issue.
Commercialism will ruin this site and it's independent integrity forever compromised  . . . if the ads stay I go . . .

Can either Ran or Ben comment on the decision to permit the ads and the purpose . . .  

Jason,
Wouldn't you want to wait  at least until your prophecy came true before leaving?
What if the site remains uncompromised?
Shouldn't we give Ran and co. some credit?

[W.H. Cosgrove]

I would apreciate knowing what, if any, the arrangement is with Google and the other ads that appear.  

Particularly, I would like to know how much mining of information they are able to do through our participation.  

This is Ran's gig but I would like some disclosure as to how much is being gleaned from our attendence.  

Ran?

[Jason Blasberg]

I've donated generously to charities in GCA's/Ran's name for causes far more important than this site . . . if operating costs are an issue let's have a $100 USD annual membership fee.  

$150,000 USD to cover the site and offset the costs of travel/play, etc. for our moderators should surfice.  

I'm ambivalent as to whether those who run the site actually make a profit but the critical question is from what source comes the revenue?  

I can't help but think the ads are the beginning of the end for GCA.com.

[Jason Blasberg]

What if the site remains uncompromised?
Shouldn't we give Ran and co. some credit?

The very presence of the ads is proof enough that something behind the scenes has changed . . . I don't know Ran at all personally so have no inside information, however, what I know of him and why he created this site does not jive with these ads.

I'll send Ran a check for $500 USD if the ads are removed (permanently) and ask that 100 other members match my offer.  

It's putting my money where my mouth is to preserve the integrity of GCA.com.

[Richard Boult]

I would apreciate knowing what, if any, the arrangement is with Google and the other ads that appear.  

Particularly, I would like to know how much mining of information they are able to do through our participation.  

This is Ran's gig but I would like some disclosure as to how much is being gleaned from our attendence.  

Ran?

Instead of waiting for Ran's response, just head over to Google's AdSense site.  All Google does is use the content from each page to find keywords that determine which ads would be most appropriate to display. Google AdWords customers bid on these keywords so their ads are more likely to appear on pages containing like content.

If I wanted to target an audience that was interested in golf course design and architecture, I could bid on "golf course design", "Pebble Beach", "Bandon Dunes", "Tom Doak", "golf course architecture", "greenskeeping", "golf course superintendent", etc. and attempt to get my ads hosted on this site.  If a user of this site clicked on my ad, I'd pay Google perhaps .50 for the click and Ran would get perhaps .05 for hosting the click.