Hi folks,<BR><BR>To the editors at Fodors - the new format is good and well done on pleasing most of the people most of the time but can you please remove or else stop those annoying flashing bannar adverts.<BR><BR>I for one find them annoying and also distracting and they have the potential to encourage me to stop posting. Anyone else other there find them annoying ??<BR><BR><BR>Cathy

Not only can I can take them in stride - - I anticipate that they are a harbinger of "real" advertising to come. There is no free lunch, you know. Fodors deserves very much a way to recover the costs of its substantial investment in this medium.<BR>

Fair point Rex but they are giving me eye strain and pains in my head - I am not against Fodors making money as they offer us this wonderful free service but surely they can think of some other method than is more user friendly,<BR><BR>Cathy

They're staying pretty consistently in the same one-inch strip on my monitor.<BR><BR>Try duct tape?<BR><BR>But seriously, I think it would be fair to express dissatisfaction as to the "images in motion" aspect. I sure don't want that dog-gone "smash the monkey" (which I have seen on TOO many web sites - - including hotmail.com) cluttering up our wonderful little world here.<BR>

Fair is fair. In the end one has to find a way to pay for "free" Internet services. Free lunches really don't exist. Someone has to pay for them.<BR><BR>Better advertising than user fees. (Which one suspects no one would pay.)<BR><BR>And an advertiser will only pay for effective advertising ... and studies show static advertising is a waste of money in this decade. It was useful two or three years ago, but of no value now. Banner advertising, if it's effective at all, has to have some vitality to it.<BR><BR>In short, if you want to make the petition meaningful, have those who want to vote in favor of no advertising send along their first month's user fee at the same time.

They don't bother me at all. I really never even noticed until people started mentioning, maybe because I typically visit so many sites that use them. Let's just hope nobody goes into convulsions like some kids do when watching flashy Japanese cartoons!

Rex and Ed<BR><BR>I am NOT against advertising etc on the site. Fodors do provide a good service but I personally am finding that I am leaving the site quicker and not returning as the flashing and moving aspect of the adverts at the top of the page are giving me eye strain etc. Perhaps if the adverts could change only when an user changes from one post to another and then remain still while you are reading the post,<BR><BR>Cathy

Where do I sign? I'm not sure the "improved" discussion board is really an improvement. If the annoying flashing advertisements continue, I'll stop coming to fodors.com There are many alternatives....

At least they don't flash all the time, unlike some banners. I must admit I hadn't noticed them until I read this thread.

I've already requested in the "Grab Bag" forum that Fodors stick to static banner ads. I'm well aware that advertising will help pay for the service we all know and love, but there are lots of sites that have no *animated* banner ads. Even the ads that animate once and then stop are much better than those that repeat.<BR><BR>I suggest people post in the "Grab Bag" forum (you can use the nifty "change forum" drop-down box!) as the Editors are evidently looking for feedback there.<BR><BR>May The Force Be With Us,<BR><BR> - Quicksilver -

Add my name to the list of protesters! And while you're at it, add my name to the list of people who DO NOT ACCEPT COOKIES--EVER!

Sorry, Cathy, but I really can't get all worked up over a flashing banner. Even if it bothers you, I'd say it's a small price to pay for this most useful, helpful and fun website.

What flashing banner? I don't seem to have any....?

yes I do, but it lasts about 3 seconds, not too bad IMHO...but I guess it is the price of doing business, oh well, not bad for free!

I, too, hadn't noticed the banner's flashing until reading this thread. And mine also stopped after a bit of time, as I focused on scrolling through one thread. Haven't seen anything to lessen my checking here, &amp; I do like the various "red buttons" that help get to different spots within the threads or to direct a forwarding to a traveling friend.<BR>

Please remove the flashing banner, it's distracting to those of us who try and use this Forum at work. Again, Rex, do you do nothing but sit at your computer and answer questions on Fodor's??

Actually, Linda, e-mail me, and I will tell you what I do for a living, if it's that important to you.<BR>

Okay, Linda, you're at work this Saturday (obviously) and those big old banners flash in your face for 3 seconds maximum, rendering you totally distracted from your work duties. That's sad to be sure, but one would think that the act of goofing-off on the internet might be a tad more distractful to your job. Am I wrong?<BR><BR>P.S. - LOL

Rex,<BR><BR>Delighted to see that on the Grap Bag thread re this new format that you have added your name to those of us who would like the banners to remain static.<BR><BR>Once again folks as a regular poster I am very grateful to Fodors for this free service but those continously moving banners are not only a distraction and are annoying but as someone either in this thread or others re the new format pointed out they are dangerous to people with certain illness ie attacks may be triggered by the animated feature. <BR><BR>It may be my imagination but I think they have slowed down in the past 24 hrs, if so thanks Danny and the rest of the gang at Fodors<BR><BR>Cathy

My banner doesn't flash, either. Yea! For you "flashers," maybe there's a way to disable it? I haven't a clue as to why mine doesn't flash and yours do.