Intellitxt is on the forums

Zardon · Jun 8, 2005, 11:35 PM

Some of you may have noticed we are now running intellitxt on the forums, we have had this running on the front page for a while and I know its caused some issues for a small handful of the members.

However even though our hit rate is the same each month that being 5,000,000 or so, our ad revenue has dropped as more and more of you dont click the ads or block them totally, therefore we are going down this road (as a trial for a while) to see how it works out. Of course if we get masses of complaints or I see issues with it running ill be removing it, my highest priority is to ensure the site has enough revenue to not only keep it running, on powerful hardware (currently a dual xeon, SCSI drives, 4 gigs of ram and a T3 line) and a fat pipe but also to keep money for competitions, upgrades and improvements.

Those of you who have been clicking the ads and keeping the ads unblocked, I appreciate it, however you are in the minority and it is quite a shame more of our membership dont support the site in this manner.

Of course if the intellitxt doesnt work out i will be looking into other avenues, you can all of course help now so we hopefully wont have to go down that route. Id like to stress, this isnt a plea for help, this site is in no danger of vanishing - its more than self sufficient, however i feel i should explain the reasons for changes on the site many of you call "home". I like to keep improving your experience on DH and as you would expect finances dictate many of these enhancements.

Thanks.

~~GraveYardLord~~ · Jun 9, 2005, 12:35 AM

Guess 6000+usd income a month isnt enough to keep the site going.

Lelisevis · Jun 9, 2005, 12:36 AM

ROFL ok someone wanna tell me what the hell just happened???

I clicked on the title of this story at the top out of curiousity, first time im transferred to some site with an ugly munter trying to sell memory sticks, second time I clicked on it to double check before sending a report and I got booted out of driverheaven for 10 mins and had to clear my entire page cache before I could log back in.
Come on Zardon buddy I dont mind clicking on or viewing ads but to boot me out for 10 mins is a little extreme.

Ps This is all tongue in cheek and im aware it was probably an error on my part before I get flamed to death.

PPS Any chance we could get some advertisements that send us to sites with really fit birds then I can justify myself to my fiancee if she catches me

.

daedal · Jun 9, 2005, 06:50 AM

I don't mind. I actually wish they picked up the CSS color-scheme though. Dark green on a medium grey background makes text really, really hard to read. This is with the DistortedHeaven skin.

Anyway, I'll click a few ads here and there to help you out, Z.

Erroneus · Jun 9, 2005, 07:26 AM

Fair enough

I do not block adds, but I only click them if I find anything interesting, though i will try to click it more.

Zardon · Jun 9, 2005, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraveYardLord

Guess 6000+usd income a month isnt enough to keep the site going.

Funny guy.

BWX · Jun 9, 2005, 08:08 AM

You might need to make different colors for the text for different color schemes.. Check out "Blue Heaven"..

Tipstaff · Jun 9, 2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWX

You might need to make different colors for the text for different color schemes.. Check out "Blue Heaven"..

Was gonna mention that actually.

One thing little thing is the hyperlinking. Thankfully the Intellitxt is bolded, underlined, and in another color, so it's easy to see. However, unless the person knows how it works they can miss read hyperlinks that we insert with Intellitxt links since they too are underlined. This isn't a big thing, just kinda.. quirky. But hey, I know the difference, as do the other "intellegent" members, so it's not a prob.

All in all though I don't mind the Intellitxt. It sure isn't invassive like it is on other sites I've seen it used on. Except for figuring out a color that works with all the skins, I say keep it.

riles9262 · Jun 9, 2005, 06:21 PM

I'll make sure to click them more often...and the color suggestion for different skins is a really good idea.

BWX · Jun 9, 2005, 11:44 PM

Example--

Tipstaff · Jun 10, 2005, 06:34 AM

I've got a question, and a suggestion for you Z.

Can you alter what words get Intellitxt, or add and redirect links? The reason I ask is that you could add in links to Driver Cleaner Pro, the Mobility Modder, or the DHZero Point drivers. Any time they are used in the forums they would instantly be autolinked for easy access.

Just wondering if it's possible.

Zardon · Jun 10, 2005, 08:17 AM

nope advertisers get links set up via the medium, id rather not pay myself for advertising - but its a nice thought.

as for the colours bwx, we are using a global implementation right now for a testing phase, if it works out (which im still undecided on) we can work on the colours.

BWX · Jun 10, 2005, 11:06 AM

OIC.. it seems to work ok.. not like before last year when it used to "freeze" the page when loading.. It still does that, but not too bad- not too long I should say.

Mazuko · Jun 10, 2005, 04:18 PM

I definately say the colors make it hard to read. I can hardly read the text.

thomasabarnes · Jun 10, 2005, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daedal

I don't mind. I actually wish they picked up the CSS color-scheme though. Dark green on a medium grey background makes text really, really hard to read. This is with the DistortedHeaven skin.

Anyway, I'll click a few ads here and there to help you out, Z.

The color of the TelliTXT type really is hard to read. Can it be changed to an easy to read color?

Zardon · Jun 10, 2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasabarnes

The color of the TelliTXT type really is hard to read. Can it be changed to an easy to read color?

I answered that a couple of posts up.

Zardon · Jun 10, 2005, 05:36 PM

Ill probably be removing it later its pissing me off.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jun 10, 2005, 05:46 PM

FYI: When quoting others posts or when copy pasting sometime the intellitext links point to
http://# or when just posted for exmple your 1st post here there are two intellitext links that point to http://#

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraveYardLord

Guess 6000+usd income a month isnt enough to keep the site going.

I tell you what how abut you donate that to Z and the site
and i'm sure he will remove the intelitext

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Ill probably be removing it later its pissing me off.

Well Z it is revenue and i'm sure no one want the site to have a lack of funds.
You should run it that way a couple of days a mounth or week or something if
you deside to pull it. sumeing it's dringing in decent money if not trash it and
add a couple more ad banners

Or you could make it optional, like a theme (default), so those of us who have trouble can
switch and those who don't can live with it. it actually not that bad...

far less intruseive then full page ads, or ads with sound, other options

Zardon · Jun 10, 2005, 05:49 PM

This site is not just your home, its mine, and I cant stick it anymore, its gone. I tried it, but im not willing to suffer that kind of site performance for advertising. It was making the dual xeon look like a P2.

they need to work on their servers before ill run it again. Its also off the front page.

teh_moleman · Jun 10, 2005, 05:54 PM

Regular ads, like the top and side banners, don't really bother me that much. Intellitxt on the other hand bothers me a lot because it makes things load slower for me. Intellitxt ads are always the last things to load, and half the time they take forever before they appear. In the meantime, if i'm able to move the page around, it'll start jumping up and down as each part is highlighted. Otherwise it won't let me move the page at all until it's done, which is even worse.

Intellitxt is not as annoying as pop-up ads, but it comes pretty close IMO.

thomasabarnes · Jun 10, 2005, 05:55 PM

Dang Zardon. I'm not condemning TelliTXT, but I was requesting an easier to read color other than that green color. I read your post about the color being in test before I made my last post.

Zardon · Jun 10, 2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teh_moleman

Regular ads, like the top and side banners, don't really bother me that much. Intellitxt on the other hand bothers me a lot because it makes things load slower for me. Intellitxt ads are always the last things to load, and half the time they take forever before they appear. In the meantime, if i'm able to move the page around, it'll start jumping up and down as each part is highlighted. Otherwise it won't let me move the page at all until it's done, which is even worse.

Intellitxt is not as annoying as pop-up ads, but it comes pretty close IMO.

yes im aware of that which is why I removed it. however you guys need to be aware, there is a lot going on behind the scenes which requires financial support and as the majority of the membership fail to support the site on any level these methods of forced advertising are routes most tech sites take, like anandtech etc, they all use intellitxt. have you seen the full page ads some sites use when moving between pages? thats another kind.

However, when something annoys me personally it goes.

thomasabarnes · Jun 10, 2005, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

...however you guys need to be aware, there is a lot going on behind the scenes which requires financial support and as the majority of the membership fail to support the site on any level these methods of forced advertising are routes most tech sites take, like anandtech etc, they all use intellitxt. have you seen the full page ads some sites use when moving between pages? thats another kind.

I know the site needs financial support, whic is exactly why I dont condemn the use of TelliTXT. I'm willing to try to help out as I'm able, so I have no problem clicking on the tellitxt links/ads.

Zardon · Jun 10, 2005, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasabarnes

I know the site needs financial support, whic is exactly why I dont condemn the use of TelliTXT. I'm willing to try to help out as I'm able, so I have no problem clicking on the tellitxt links/ads.

Well now you can click the ads instead

thanks for the support thomas, appreciated.

hopefully everyone can see the speed increases again, intellitxt works in the way it goes to an external server to get a listing for words then relays the information to our server but it was holding our cpus up by 40% in some instances, but the dual xeon baby is back to full kilt now.

BWX · Jun 10, 2005, 06:15 PM

Interesting..

I have not been able to view the front page without those crashes for 3 days..

As soon as Intellitxt is gone- page loads smooth, fast, no stuttering flash ads, and no crashes. I couldn't fix those crashes before- I tried everything.

Never assumed it was intellitxt that was causing it, but when it's gone, the problems are gone.

Zardon · Jun 10, 2005, 06:20 PM

In Principal its a nice idea, and we ran it last year to the same effect, I was assured this time it would be faster. However it appears that was not the case. Im paying too much for a dual CPU server on a T3 line to make it run like it was, even with 2 days of tweaking nothing changed.

Anyway its one less thing to worry about with issues on the site, thats the way im looking at it.

~~GraveYardLord~~ · Jun 14, 2005, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Funny guy.

Yes, funny indeed. It's quite interesting how much money a site can make, isn't it?

I personally have nothing against site advertising as long as it doesnt interfere with the site's browsing.

nitrousoxide52 · Jun 14, 2005, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Well now you can click the ads instead

thanks for the support thomas, appreciated.

hopefully everyone can see the speed increases again, intellitxt works in the way it goes to an external server to get a listing for words then relays the information to our server but it was holding our cpus up by 40% in some instances, but the dual xeon baby is back to full kilt now.

It held dual xeons up by 40%? Think what it would do to the casual users computer

Jun 8, 2005, 11:35 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Intellitxt is on the forums Some of you may have noticed we are now running intellitxt on the forums, we have had this running on the front page for a while and I know its caused some issues for a small handful of the members. However even though our hit rate is the same each month that being 5,000,000 or so, our ad revenue has dropped as more and more of you dont click the ads or block them totally, therefore we are going down this road (as a trial for a while) to see how it works out. Of course if we get masses of complaints or I see issues with it running ill be removing it, my highest priority is to ensure the site has enough revenue to not only keep it running, on powerful hardware (currently a dual xeon, SCSI drives, 4 gigs of ram and a T3 line) and a fat pipe but also to keep money for competitions, upgrades and improvements. Those of you who have been clicking the ads and keeping the ads unblocked, I appreciate it, however you are in the minority and it is quite a shame more of our membership dont support the site in this manner. Of course if the intellitxt doesnt work out i will be looking into other avenues, you can all of course help now so we hopefully wont have to go down that route. Id like to stress, this isnt a plea for help, this site is in no danger of vanishing - its more than self sufficient, however i feel i should explain the reasons for changes on the site many of you call "home". I like to keep improving your experience on DH and as you would expect finances dictate many of these enhancements. Thanks.

Jun 9, 2005, 06:50 AM	#4
daedal Uber Coffee Drinker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gatineau, Quebec Posts: 2,250 Rep Power: 0	I don't mind. I actually wish they picked up the CSS color-scheme though. Dark green on a medium grey background makes text really, really hard to read. This is with the DistortedHeaven skin. Anyway, I'll click a few ads here and there to help you out, Z. __________________

Jun 9, 2005, 07:26 AM	#5
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,419 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	Fair enough I do not block adds, but I only click them if I find anything interesting, though i will try to click it more. __________________

Jun 9, 2005, 08:08 AM	#7
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	You might need to make different colors for the text for different color schemes.. Check out "Blue Heaven".. __________________

Jun 9, 2005, 06:21 PM	#9
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	I'll make sure to click them more often...and the color suggestion for different skins is a really good idea. __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Jun 9, 2005, 12:35 AM	#2
~~GraveYardLord~~ Banned Join Date: May 2005 Location: Not to be found... Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0	Guess 6000+usd income a month isnt enough to keep the site going.

Jun 9, 2005, 12:36 AM	#3
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 0	ROFL ok someone wanna tell me what the hell just happened??? I clicked on the title of this story at the top out of curiousity, first time im transferred to some site with an ugly munter trying to sell memory sticks, second time I clicked on it to double check before sending a report and I got booted out of driverheaven for 10 mins and had to clear my entire page cache before I could log back in. Come on Zardon buddy I dont mind clicking on or viewing ads but to boot me out for 10 mins is a little extreme. Ps This is all tongue in cheek and im aware it was probably an error on my part before I get flamed to death. PPS Any chance we could get some advertisements that send us to sites with really fit birds then I can justify myself to my fiancee if she catches me .

Jun 9, 2005, 11:44 PM	#10
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Example-- __________________

Jun 10, 2005, 06:34 AM	#11
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	I've got a question, and a suggestion for you Z. Can you alter what words get Intellitxt, or add and redirect links? The reason I ask is that you could add in links to Driver Cleaner Pro, the Mobility Modder, or the DHZero Point drivers. Any time they are used in the forums they would instantly be autolinked for easy access. Just wondering if it's possible. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Jun 10, 2005, 08:17 AM	Thread Starter #12
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	nope advertisers get links set up via the medium, id rather not pay myself for advertising - but its a nice thought. as for the colours bwx, we are using a global implementation right now for a testing phase, if it works out (which im still undecided on) we can work on the colours.

Jun 10, 2005, 11:06 AM	#13
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	OIC.. it seems to work ok.. not like before last year when it used to "freeze" the page when loading.. It still does that, but not too bad- not too long I should say. __________________

Jun 10, 2005, 04:18 PM	#14
Mazuko DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,008 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I definately say the colors make it hard to read. I can hardly read the text. __________________ E-bay feedback: http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...me=STRK:ME:UFS

Jun 10, 2005, 05:36 PM	Thread Starter #17
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Ill probably be removing it later its pissing me off.

Jun 10, 2005, 05:49 PM	Thread Starter #19
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	This site is not just your home, its mine, and I cant stick it anymore, its gone. I tried it, but im not willing to suffer that kind of site performance for advertising. It was making the dual xeon look like a P2. they need to work on their servers before ill run it again. Its also off the front page.

Jun 10, 2005, 05:54 PM	#20
teh_moleman DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FL Posts: 103 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Regular ads, like the top and side banners, don't really bother me that much. Intellitxt on the other hand bothers me a lot because it makes things load slower for me. Intellitxt ads are always the last things to load, and half the time they take forever before they appear. In the meantime, if i'm able to move the page around, it'll start jumping up and down as each part is highlighted. Otherwise it won't let me move the page at all until it's done, which is even worse. Intellitxt is not as annoying as pop-up ads, but it comes pretty close IMO.

Jun 10, 2005, 05:55 PM	#21
thomasabarnes Long Time ***** Friend Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: USA Posts: 1,375 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Dang Zardon. I'm not condemning TelliTXT, but I was requesting an easier to read color other than that green color. I read your post about the color being in test before I made my last post. __________________ May a song always touch you in a positive way. SONAR X1D Expanded, Windows 7 Pro 64Bit, MOTU UltraLite MK3, 150 GB HDD, 250 GB HDD, 1 TB x2 HDD 7200 rpm My Music Production: Top 40, Contemporary Christian, Pop/Rock, Decent Rap, Inspirationals, and Children Songs

Jun 10, 2005, 06:15 PM	#25
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Interesting.. I have not been able to view the front page without those crashes for 3 days.. As soon as Intellitxt is gone- page loads smooth, fast, no stuttering flash ads, and no crashes. I couldn't fix those crashes before- I tried everything. Never assumed it was intellitxt that was causing it, but when it's gone, the problems are gone. __________________

Jun 10, 2005, 06:20 PM	Thread Starter #26
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	In Principal its a nice idea, and we ran it last year to the same effect, I was assured this time it would be faster. However it appears that was not the case. Im paying too much for a dual CPU server on a T3 line to make it run like it was, even with 2 days of tweaking nothing changed. Anyway its one less thing to worry about with issues on the site, thats the way im looking at it.