Site changes: shorter URLs, search, and the return of ads (and a blog bug)
You may have noticed some changes to the site tonight, although they’re mostly minor. Mainly, it’s the opening of this ’staff blog’ area, but also I’ve changed all the site URLs to now be just “prince.org” instead of “www.prince.org”. I think if you’re using a web browser it’s pretty obvious you’re on the “world wide web”, and this just makes the URLs shorter, which is nice. The old URLs should all continue to work just fine, however–they are automatically redirected to the new, shorter version.
The search box is also reinstated in the upper-right corner on every page–and it does actually work! It’s powered by Google, and the results aren’t necessarily perfect, but it’s a lot better than nothing. It should improve over time as they index more and more of the site, as well.
Probably slightly less welcome for everyone is the return of advertising. In the forums, there are now Google ads after the first post on each page. I hope they’re not too annoying, and even better, I hope you occasionally find something of interest and give it a click. I didn’t plaster the site with the ads, but it’s an experiment, especially with Prince going on tour again and lots of new visitors coming to the site, for me to see if I can make enough to offset the monthly costs of the site, with ads. I am also cooking up a way for you guys to opt-out of seeing the ads if you so desire (for a small donation), but that isn’t all figured out yet, so just stay tuned to the blog for updates on that.
Update: I have now reproduced the bug that has been reported about the blog section logging you out. That sucks! I’m tracking it down… for now a workaround is to use the “remember me” checkbox when logging in (you can always have it “forget” you by clicking ‘log out’ later). But I will definitely be working on fixing this issue, sorry for the inconvenience!
Update2: I tracked down the bug, and have fixed it. However, it’s possible there may be side effects of generating small bugs elsewhere in the site. I’ll be on the lookout, and do mention weirdness you encounter.
July 28th, 2007 at 1:59 am
I left a detailed reply a moment ago which only after pressing submit told me I had to ber logged in (I thought I was!) so i lost the reply, and hence now a much shorter one!
So, firstly, thanks Ben for continuing the hard work of keeping a site like this running! I’m sure it’s been said before, but you’re the man!
now, regarding Google ads. yes, I’m fine with it in principle as I understand the need to have them and i think you’ve incorporated them in a very non-intrusive manner - congruatulations on that ! I probably would however take the option of opting out if possible for a small donation.
However, I think there is an issue with the content of the google ads which you have no control over: they’re directing us towards rogue ticket brokers that sell tickets at inflated prices. It does make it look very much as if we are condoning these sites when I’m pretty sure that the org would be against them. There is already hot debate over in the concerts forum regarding these brokers that have acquired large amounts of good tickets to sell at exploitative prices when the general public hardly had a sniff through official means.
Anyway, once again great work Ben and many thanks for all. Will you be attending any of the concerts in London?
July 28th, 2007 at 2:54 am
Hi , Im new to the site and I cant seem to work out how to comment to some of these conversations going on between people. If I select a topic then add a comment I’m getting just a white screen , I have agreed to the terms & conditions. I hope this where I bring up such topics?
Thanks Purplemum Australia
July 28th, 2007 at 3:12 am
@machinegun: We certainly don’t condone the unscrupulous ticket agents, you’re right. And you’re right that we can’t easily control the advertisers coming through the Google ads. I’ll investigate this one a bit and see if there’s a good compromise/solution.
@purplemum: There was just a bug about replies not working, that I just fixed. As long as you joined more than 5 days ago, you should be able to reply and post in the forums; please try again–we are definitely experiencing software glitches tonight with all the changes!
July 28th, 2007 at 4:32 am
Thanks for the update Ben. Don’t worry about the ads, I think the community here will be very understanding. In fact, it’s been more strange to see the site [i]not[/i] have ads over the years, considering the significant cost of running it. I, for one, hope that the reinstatement of the ads will mean not only that you will now be able to make ends meet, but that you will also actually make a few bucks as profit. You’ve definitely earned it.
July 28th, 2007 at 6:02 am
Well this is tres’ cool! I just noticed this. Nice work on the updates, btw. Now all we need is a video forum…oh wait…nevermind!
July 28th, 2007 at 8:19 am
HATE the ads and numerous pop-up ads.
July 28th, 2007 at 8:22 am
“opt-out of seeing the ads for a small donation”
I’d be more than happy with this. XOX- Stu
July 28th, 2007 at 10:13 am
i had said over and over and over again that i would be willing to donate to the org and i know a few other people that would too all you got to do is ask man.. shit
July 28th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
The small donation thing would be no problem, do it.
July 28th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
thanks for keeping the org well-maintained for all of this time. do what u gotta do!
July 28th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
a small donation to a site I enjoy logging into works fine for me, not having ads as a result is just a bonus.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
my wife lets me spend $100 a year online, and im betting it will help, ill use it for the donation.
July 30th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Concerning unwanted ads…
open up a forum where users can post the links of unwated ads…
next use the filter feature of adsense to filter them out…
On the other hand if this site is the reference for Prince…
and google serves content related ads… meaning ads about prince…
I don’t think the ads will be anything interesting concerning Prince.
Nevertheless I advice you to use the “Refferals”…
As such, you can select exactly what ads are shown…
You don’t earn money by clicks, but a significant amount per referral.
You could select the “Spamfighter” ad and receive 0.92 dollars per download…
And people can download it for free…
July 30th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
I’d be happy to give a donation even if the ads remained…. They aren’t exactly an inconvenience. Whilst we are on the subject of changes though… Ben, it’s been mentioned a number of times by myself and others that links to emoticon chat code in orgnotes may be useful…if possible… Just a thought.
July 30th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
can it be that i can’t add orgbuddies ?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Love the blog… great idea.
)
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:29 am
(old url) www.prince.org/ = 15 characters
(new url) http://prince.org/ = 18 characters
so the answer is 3 extra characters. so how can that be a shorter URL?
no-one types in the full url (http://www.prince.org/) of any site these days
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:51 pm
I can get used to the blog if I have to, but, it’s the forums that make this site so unique. Please, above all keep those.
Prince’ll throw sum chump change to the blog to keep us content.
August 14th, 2007 at 7:17 am
A problem… the search box is showing links to Prince Charles’ site.
September 30th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Along with site changes, when will the Prince FAQs be updated?
Some of the items reference things *going to* happen as of the year 2000. Also, it indicates we’re not yet sure if Prince and Mani have been married and it has Tommy Lee engaged to Mayte.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Hi Ben & Prince & SunChylde & Luv4u, blah, blah, blah, I like to blog. I know you do, too. How about showing me how to be cool about it by giving me a wife that wants to talk, have dinner and movie, a drink by standing in for me in public, take an all expenses trip somewhere with you or show me how much your compainship means to me, period. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, in advance, for every/all courtesans she may extend regarding how sorry I hurt myself by writing soemthing so inappropriate especially to people who are so cool and I’m not, hahaha. Lots of hugs not kisses at best, Art