Ampersand said:
Yoshi, don't be ignorant. Maybe for someone with no income it may be expensive to keep a site as large as this up, but I could probably pay for ModRetro to stay up for a few years with the spare cash I have in the bank.
Be my guest!
Honestly, though, I have been really clear that this is just testing, and NOTHING is set in stone, which is why the layout of ads has been changing every few days now. Also, it is pretty obvious that you would not mind the ads for non registered users, you know, being a registered user and all.

I am obviously trying to keep it reasonable, a single, static image banner ad is not too intrusive, in my opinion.
Here is my current idea, that I will likely run with: Have the default site theme set to have ads, and a theme without ads that is otherwise identical as a selectable option. I do not want to force people to donate just to get rid of ads, that would not be cool at all, especially since I know a lot of people are in the situation of truly needing to hold on to their money. If I do this, then unregistered users get ads, most forum members get ads (Nothing insane, I am keeping it modest, banner and header; Have you guys SEEN the ads a lot of forums have?), but those who want to turn them off can. Sound like a win/win, amirite?
Just an FYI, I might merge this with the ad testing thread. I know it is fun to make threads to Sega about new ads, but feedback like this is exactly what I am looking for, and being out of town, one of the reasons it took me so long to reply is because it was not in that thread, which I am keeping an eye on.