Announcement: A Change for IceInSpace

[iceman]

Hi all.

IceInSpace is launching some significant changes today.

To allow for future expansion and more features on the site for both entertainment and information, we have moved onto a new server which is faster, more reliable and will give better response times than where we were before.

Up until now, IceInSpace has been funded from my own pocket, with the generous donations (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/?donate) from the community helping to offset the costs of running the site. The donations have been very much appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the people who have generously donated - for without them offsetting some of the running costs, I don't know if I could have kept up the balance of the payments out of my own pocket.

I've now made the decision to seek advertising to help offset the running costs of IceInSpace. You can see the advertising in the right hand column.

The inaugural advertisers are Australian Sky&Telescope (http://www.astmag.com.au), who have been long-time supporters of IceInSpace and I thank them for their continued support.

Seeking advertising is a huge step for IceInSpace, and not something I took on lightly. It is my intention that any advertising:

Fit within the theme and culture of the site
Not be intrusive
Advertisers should not expect any extra moderation of content on the forums. The Terms of Service (TOS) will still be enforced as always.
The advertisers will have no influence on the future direction of IceInSpace or have any say over the content.


Through the advertising, it is helping to ensure IceInSpace remains viable, supported and has a long-term future for the Australian Amateur Astronomy Community.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to your feedback.

[jackenau]

Mike

The added enhancements to the site appear to suitably quantify your reasons for doing so. I dont believe they detract from your original intention many months ago in developing a local forum.

With continual support from Sponsors and the general support from IIS forum members I am sure this forum will continue to evolve and keep on being the number 1 forum for this region.

You should be highly commended for getting the forum to where it is today. There have been many highs and unpredictably more lows, however, you have perservered and made it the best local forum for our region.

With continuing support from all I am sure this forum will continually grow and evolve even further.

Keep up the good work and yes the site appears to be so much faster

Ken M

[ving]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thum bsup::thumbsup:

Ving gives this site a total of 5 thumbsup out of five

[rogerg]

I hope we get some nice WO, TeleVue, Tak, Vixen or such adds with nice pics to drool over :) Mmmm big eyepiece with green writing, now there's something worth taking up an extra 100 pixels of my screen width. :thumbsup:

[Striker]

Nothing is free these days and I dont mind some advertising...actualy I prefer it...lol

[Lee]

Some things are free - and are worthless.... IIS has always been a fantastic site, and looks like it will only improve from here. More thumbs up from here Mike! :thumbsup:

[Portmac]

Excellent, looks good and runs a lot faster

[gaa_ian]

Good on you Mike, response times are certainly better
Adverts are a natural evolution for an expanding site & Forum such as this.
I too look forward to a "Nagler Specials" advert !

[iceman]

Thanks for the very nice feedback and comments, Ken. Thank you to the others for their responses.

The calendar and timezones are two new features which add more "beef" to the site, and hopefully provide some useful info to members.

[Dujon]

Thanks for your troubles, Mike.

There are many who whinge and moan about advertisements on web sites - I'm not one of them. I suspect that most don't understand, or choose to ignore, that it takes time and money to keep a decent site afloat. Well done, sir.

The calendar is a nice touch, but I hope that you've not made a rod for your own back. Provided that you've got the necessary 'get up and go' to keep it updated (and not forget) then I tips me hat to you.

Typed by one who has fallen into the trap himself. :doh:

[iceman]

Thanks John. I'm lucky to have roped in a helper (1ponders) who has the (lucky) job of updating the calendar :)

In the future i'm likely to call for more volunteers, too. The calendar is only as good as the information within it.

Future plans include integrating the calendar with a countdown timer, so that members can choose which calendar event they want the countdown timer ticking down to.. such as a shuttle launch, or other event. I just need to give mojo a break after his hard work with this upgrade, before asking him to do more :)

Thanks again for your feedback.

[ving]

... and hows that members map going? ;)

[Hammerman]

I really like the advertising, Mike. It's small and off to the side..... not in your face, but there if you need it. I like the fact that it is on the right hand side instead of the left. If it was on the left it would seem like the dominate factor on the page. It adds another touch of a professional site here at IIS.
I do have two suggestions.....

1) Get one or two more sponsors to place small ads just underneath the one you have. A good equipment vendor that is not affiliated with just one brand of products would be real a nice compliment to IIS.

2) (and this one is more personal) In your new "Time Zone" box how about one for North America? Maybe EST? (Eastern Standard Time) I've been here for a short while, and I've just dragged 3 more new members who live in this time zone here (ChrisG, Harpspitfire, & Rasp).... and could probably drag a few more new members here from this time zone. )Of course I'd probably drag them here kicking and screaming, just like the last 3 guys - LOL.

Besides.... we're all trying our best to fit in with you guys. Let's see if we're fitting in yet..... Crikey Mate, Us blokes love being here in Oz.... even though the blood rushes to our heads from standing upside down. :lol:

[33South]

Hi Gary

Below the time zones - there's a customise link, you can add your own zone how good is that....

[iceman]

Thanks for the feedback Gary, and as Chris points out, you can customise the timezones you see.

[spacezebra]

Hi Mike

Yes I agree with the group, the advertising is not intrusive and I can now keep track of what time it is in London for when I ring the relatives.

It would be great to see all future star parties (esp ours in August 07:D) listed on the calendar so that we are able to plan our trips away.

Again, great site and well done Mike.

Cheer Petra

[[1ponders]]

If anyone has a star party or get together they want listed, drop me a pm and I'll include it in the calendar. I'm planning on updating the next few months of the calendar this Sunday.

[RAJAH235]

Hey, nice improvements Mike, Mojo n crew. Like Gary said, the ads off to the rhs add balance.
quote/Crikey Mate, Us blokes love being here in Oz.... even though the blood rushes to our heads from standing upside down. /end quote......Nice try Gary...Keep practicing maaaate.:thumbsup:..:P...:D..L.

[mickoking]

Mike, all the changes to IIS have been improvements. The ad's are unobtrusive and not those 'orrable pop ups. As an IT student I have been keenly checking out the functionality of various on line forums and I must say this is the easiest and most pleasant forum to use regardless of subject. Keep up the good work Mike :thumbsup:

[johnno]

Hi All,

Mike,
I agree with all the above comments,
The site just keeps getting Better,and Better.

Thanks to all involved for your great efforts.

Regards.John

[jjjnettie]

This is a great site and if advertising helps to keep it that way, I'm all for it.

[spudrick]

Have to agree with all before me, Mike this is a great site and the Advertising is viatl to keeping the site operational, i am subscribing to Australian Sky & Telescope (2yr) and making a point that it is because of this site. Keep up the great work :)