Banner Exchange network

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Trask

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Feb 20, 2011, 7:40:38 PM2/20/11
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Hi all,

Is there any interest out there for participating in a banner exchange
network between rpgblogger members? Essentially, websites in the
banner network put a script on their page that randomly shows banners
from the other participating web sites. I would be willing to manage
the software ( I already have it setup for serving ads on my site
anyway).

Drop me a line if interested in joining up.

Trent

Mike Evans

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Feb 20, 2011, 8:48:28 PM2/20/11
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What would we be required to do?  Would it be workable on Wordpress?


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Trent

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Feb 20, 2011, 8:52:08 PM2/20/11
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Just put some javascript in a location on your page and it will serve the banners automatically. It should work fine on self-hosted wordpress, but I am not sure about wordpress.com

TRent

Tyler Dion

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Feb 20, 2011, 9:02:31 PM2/20/11
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Wordpress.com blogs cannot embed Javascript, so far as I'm aware.

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Green Mountain Gamers, bringing Vermont gamers to the table:
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Questing GM

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Feb 20, 2011, 9:06:15 PM2/20/11
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What about blogger?
Questing GM; A Borneon Gamer
http://questinggm.blogspot.com

Trent

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Feb 20, 2011, 9:12:29 PM2/20/11
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Probably the same. 

Brian Fitzpatrick

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Feb 20, 2011, 11:20:16 PM2/20/11
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I'd be interested for sure, especially once my review blog (Game
Knight Reviews -http://www.gameknightreviews.com) is accepted to the
network, but for now my Moebius Adventures one would work fine.

All of my blogs are self-hosted Wordpress, so a bit of JavaScript
should be fine in a sidebar.

--Fitz

--
Brian Fitzpatrick (aka "Fitz")
Lair of the Green Knight (Blog) - http://writer.fitzhome.com
Moebius Adventures Games (Blog) - http://blog.moebiusadventures.com
BlogCritics.org - http://blogcritics.org/writers/fitz/
Game Knight Reviews - http://www.gameknightreviews.com

Gregory Schuster

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Feb 20, 2011, 11:39:06 PM2/20/11
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I'd be down for that as well.  I'm on Blogger though, so I would have to figure out how it works.  I could probably use the same html coding that I use in my banner image on my site right now if I just figure out how that html actually runs... not much of a coder here.  If the Javascript works fine than I would be down.  My question would be is there a size that we could agree on?  I know my site is already pretty cramped with stuff so adding another large banner at the top might be hard to fit in.  I could do a sidebar banner though easy enough.  What are we talking pixel wise??

Brian Fitzpatrick

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Feb 20, 2011, 11:40:43 PM2/20/11
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I'm hoping 125x125 - it's a nice standard little size that would fit
in nicely on most sidebars. :)

Gregory Schuster

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Feb 21, 2011, 12:39:31 AM2/21/11
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I would be down with that for sure.  I would be able to find a spot for that with no problems.  Just need to make a banner now... :P

Kevin

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Feb 21, 2011, 12:40:36 AM2/21/11
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If you put it in the sidebar, anyone with Wordpress should be able to just
use the text sidebar widget to put the banner into their sidebar.
Of course I self host so YMMV in my understanding of how it works

Kevin


----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Fitzpatrick" <fi...@moebiusadventures.com>
To: <rpgbl...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2011 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: Banner Exchange network


I'm hoping 125x125 - it's a nice standard little size that would fit
in nicely on most sidebars. :)

On Sun, Feb 20, 2011 at 9:39 PM, Gregory Schuster
<gregory.pa...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I'd be down for that as well. I'm on Blogger though, so I would have t=
o
> figure out how it works. I could probably use the same html coding tha=


t I
> use in my banner image on my site right now if I just figure out how that

> html actually runs... not much of a coder here. If the Javascript work=
s
> fine than I would be down. My question would be is there a size that w=


e
> could agree on? I know my site is already pretty cramped with stuff so

> adding another large banner at the top might be hard to fit in. I coul=


d do
> a sidebar banner though easy enough. What are we talking pixel wise??
>
> On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 1:20 PM, Brian Fitzpatrick
> <fi...@moebiusadventures.com> wrote:
>>
>> I'd be interested for sure, especially once my review blog (Game
>> Knight Reviews -http://www.gameknightreviews.com) is accepted to the
>> network, but for now my Moebius Adventures one would work fine.
>>
>> All of my blogs are self-hosted Wordpress, so a bit of JavaScript
>> should be fine in a sidebar.
>>
>> --Fitz
>>
>> --
>> Brian Fitzpatrick (aka "Fitz")
>> Lair of the Green Knight (Blog) - http://writer.fitzhome.com
>> Moebius Adventures Games (Blog) - http://blog.moebiusadventures.com
>> BlogCritics.org - http://blogcritics.org/writers/fitz/
>> Game Knight Reviews - http://www.gameknightreviews.com
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 20, 2011 at 6:52 PM, Trent <vicp...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> > Just put some javascript in a location on your page and it will serve
>> > the

>> > banners automatically. It should work fine on self-hosted wordpress, b=


ut
>> > I
>> > am not sure about wordpress.com.
>> > TRent
>> > On Feb 20, 2011, at 6:48 PM, Mike Evans wrote:
>> >
>> > What would we be required to do? Would it be workable on Wordpress?
>> >
>> > On Sun, Feb 20, 2011 at 7:40 PM, Trask <vicp...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Hi all,
>> >>

>> >> Is there any interest out there for participating in a banner exchang=


e
>> >> network between rpgblogger members? Essentially, websites in the
>> >> banner network put a script on their page that randomly shows banners

>> >> from the other participating web sites. I would be willing to mana=


ge
>> >> the software ( I already have it setup for serving ads on my site
>> >> anyway).
>> >>
>> >> Drop me a line if interested in joining up.
>> >>
>> >> Trent
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>> >> Groups
>> >> "rpgbloggers" group.
>> >> To post to this group, send email to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com.
>> >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>> >> rpgbloggers...@googlegroups.com.
>> >> For more options, visit this group at
>> >> http://groups.google.com/group/rpgbloggers?hl=en.
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --

>> > I recommend doing the five finger shuffle and spunking off some knuckl=


e
>> > children to ease tention." -- Mike Evans
>> > http://wrathofzombie.wordpress.com/
>> >
>> > --
>> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>> > Groups
>> > "rpgbloggers" group.
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--
Brian Fitzpatrick (aka "Fitz")
Lair of the Green Knight (Blog) - http://writer.fitzhome.com
Moebius Adventures Games (Blog) - http://blog.moebiusadventures.com
BlogCritics.org - http://blogcritics.org/writers/fitz/
Game Knight Reviews - http://www.gameknightreviews.com

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Jeffrey Uurtamo

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Feb 21, 2011, 7:38:02 AM2/21/11
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I'm interested in this concept. As far as the javascript issues and
WP, I know there were a few issues with that when I used WP a few
years ago. I haven't personally kept up with WP because I moved to
Drupal (I know I'm the Bastard Child of the RPGBN in that regard). I'm
not sure if the text sidebar widget will allow JS. If it does great.
If it does not, could you use something like an IFRAME with it's
source being a file with the JS in it? Just a few random thoughts for
now. Keep me in the loop on things.

Michael Wolf

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Feb 21, 2011, 7:49:48 AM2/21/11
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Sounds interesting.

Chuck

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Feb 21, 2011, 11:18:17 AM2/21/11
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Sounds like a great idea. And a 125x125 sidebar shouldn't be a
problem. Like the others I'd just need to do a nifty little banner.

Trask

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Feb 21, 2011, 1:43:09 PM2/21/11
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Hi,

It looks like we have enough interest to make this a viable project.
The 125x125 banner size is a good starting point, so let us go with
that. I have an openx ad server that can handle management of the
network. Everyone puts in a banner and offers space on their site. I
will set all the banners to have the same mathematical "weight," so
they will cycle randomly across all the sites. Your own ad will not
appear on your site, since that would rather pointless. I do have a
couple of management requests:

1. Send me your site name and a 125x125 banner. Please name the banner
clearly. (mysite.png not 1340954975.png). You can just respond inline
to this thread rather than send an email.
2. I will send you a snippet of code. I can do javascript or iframe,
indicate a preference.

Ping me if you have any questions.

Trent

Kevin Oedekoven

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Feb 21, 2011, 6:52:05 PM2/21/11
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Why not have the banner pulled remotely off out sites and just send you the
link? That way if we want to change our banner we don't have to keep
bothering you.

-----Original Message-----
From: rpgbl...@googlegroups.com [mailto:rpgbl...@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Trask
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 11:43 AM
To: rpgbloggers
Subject: Re: Banner Exchange network

Hi,

Trent

--

Trent

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Feb 21, 2011, 7:00:17 PM2/21/11
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Good idea. I can handle either configuration. Send me the link if you want to host your own banner.

Trent

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Gregory Schuster

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Feb 21, 2011, 8:53:42 PM2/21/11
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Sounds good.  Will do.  You'll get one from me as soon as its put together.

Trask

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Feb 22, 2011, 4:56:21 PM2/22/11
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Since I am running the ad server, I would be happy to take your money. ;-). That said, I never really envisioned this ad network as a for-profit and the software I am using is not up to the challenge of distributing earnings to affiliates.

My thinking is to let the OP in just like any other site and save the hassle. Perhaps we could get two 125x125 banners on OP in lieu of payment?

Trent

On Feb 22, 2011, at 2:33 PM, "Micah (from Obsidian Portal)" <fan...@micah-wedemeyer.net> wrote:

> I don't want to throw a huge wrench in the works, but we'd love to get
> an Obsidian Portal banner in the rotation. We'd be happy to pay
> (within reason...), but I'm not sure who/where to send the money too.
> We'd also be happy to barter, too, like free press for the RPGBN on
> our Twitter/Facebook page. We're open to all ideas.
>
> Let me know what you think!
> Micah
> mi...@obsidianportal.com
>
> On Feb 21, 8:53 pm, Gregory Schuster <gregory.paul.schus...@gmail.com>

Trask

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Feb 22, 2011, 5:24:07 PM2/22/11
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This is a strictly not-for-profit operation. I just want any participants to get some exposure with no cash outlay. Rpg blogging has a terrible cash flow. ;-)

Trent


On Feb 22, 2011, at 3:13 PM, "Duane O'Brien" <duane....@gmail.com> wrote:

> To your comment below, I would prefer members not accept money or
> trade in exchange for someone else promoting the RPGBN. What happens
> between members, or members and friends, is one thing. When a
> relationship implies that the RPGBN as an entity is involved
> officially, things get stickier.
>
> By contrast, and for future reference, I have no issues for members
> offering their own incentives to anyone who donates toward hosting
> costs.
>
> Official stance on the Banner Exchange Network : Awesome idea, love
> that it's community organized, go for it. Caveat : as long as it's
> "By Members Of the RPGBN" and not "By The RPGBN" there's zero need to
> involve me in any of it. But I will be happy to help if I can.
>
> I hope that all makes sense.
>
> -D
>
> On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 1:33 PM, Micah (from Obsidian Portal)


> <fan...@micah-wedemeyer.net> wrote:
>> I don't want to throw a huge wrench in the works, but we'd love to get
>> an Obsidian Portal banner in the rotation. We'd be happy to pay
>> (within reason...), but I'm not sure who/where to send the money too.
>> We'd also be happy to barter, too, like free press for the RPGBN on
>> our Twitter/Facebook page. We're open to all ideas.
>>
>> Let me know what you think!
>> Micah
>> mi...@obsidianportal.com
>>
>> On Feb 21, 8:53 pm, Gregory Schuster <gregory.paul.schus...@gmail.com>
>> wrote:

Duane O'Brien

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Feb 22, 2011, 6:24:09 PM2/22/11
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I am actively working on something that would make membership verification easier for everyone involved.

On Feb 22, 2011 3:04 PM, "Anthony Laffan" <deliri...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I'd love to be part of this as well, just need to get the 125x125 thing gonig.
>
> I think non-profit, total voluntary opt in is the way to keep it. It keeps everything nice, neat, and clean. There is no money involved, it is just simply "If you want to be a part, give us your banner and post this script on your page" with nothing further than that.
>
> If it takes off, we might need ssomething for proof that your site is geared towards RPGs, but being RPGBN members should be proof of that, and anything else shouldn't be hard to check. Provided whoever is running it is willing to do such.

>> --
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>>
>
>
>
> --

> Anthony
> http://www.realityrefracted.com
> http://www.rpgbloggers.com
> http://www.roleplaymedia.net

Anthony Laffan

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Feb 22, 2011, 6:04:29 PM2/22/11
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I'd love to be part of this as well, just need to get the 125x125 thing gonig.

I think non-profit, total voluntary opt in is the way to keep it. It keeps everything nice, neat, and clean. There is no money involved, it is just simply "If you want to be a part, give us your banner and post this script on your page" with nothing further than that.

If it takes off, we might need ssomething for proof that your site is geared towards RPGs, but being RPGBN members should be proof of that, and anything else shouldn't be hard to check. Provided whoever is running it is willing to do such.

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 5:24 PM, Trask <over...@livingdice.com> wrote:
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Duane O'Brien

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Feb 22, 2011, 5:13:34 PM2/22/11
to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com, Micah (from Obsidian Portal)

-D

--
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Ideas are good things to have even if they are old.

Micah (from Obsidian Portal)

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Feb 22, 2011, 4:33:16 PM2/22/11
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I don't want to throw a huge wrench in the works, but we'd love to get
an Obsidian Portal banner in the rotation. We'd be happy to pay
(within reason...), but I'm not sure who/where to send the money too.
We'd also be happy to barter, too, like free press for the RPGBN on
our Twitter/Facebook page. We're open to all ideas.

Let me know what you think!
Micah
mi...@obsidianportal.com

On Feb 21, 8:53 pm, Gregory Schuster <gregory.paul.schus...@gmail.com>
wrote:

Michael Wolf

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Feb 22, 2011, 5:23:15 PM2/22/11
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I have no issues with supporting Obsidian Portal, but I wouldn't like
this banner exchange to turn into an ad network. Especially if the
people participating can't pick if paid banners are shown at their
site or not.
Just my two cents.

Micah (from Obsidian Portal)

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Feb 23, 2011, 6:49:29 AM2/23/11
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I'll back out then. While we'd be happy to run an ad or two for RPGBN
members in exchange for the same, it would be too much work to get
things integrated into our current ad system. Plus, I don't want to
derail the original idea by tossing in too much extra "ooh! Good idea
but you should also do..." I know how much that irritates me when
people throw that at me.

Good luck, as this seems like an excellent idea for cross pollination
of readers.

Micah
> > For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rpgbloggers?hl=en.

Lizard Lizard

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Feb 23, 2011, 9:30:20 AM2/23/11
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Just as a quick reply, I'll come up with a banner, too. I'm eager to
partake. 125 X 125, and it will work with Wordpress not hosted on
wordpress.com, yes?

Jeffrey Uurtamo

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Feb 23, 2011, 10:00:14 AM2/23/11
to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com
I'm would assume it would. I've tested putting JS in a text widget on
WP install I have and that worked, so I can only assume that since
it's JS, it will work.

Trask

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Feb 23, 2011, 10:07:49 AM2/23/11
to rpgbl...@googlegroups.com
Hosted wordpress works fine.

Trent

Chuck

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Feb 23, 2011, 7:54:16 PM2/23/11
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Any preference on format?

Trent

unread,
Feb 23, 2011, 7:56:04 PM2/23/11
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Small kb is better, but JPG, PNG or GIF works fine

Trent

Jon

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Feb 23, 2011, 8:12:40 PM2/23/11
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I would be interested in this also. Busy month for me here, but I will
send a banner or a link to one.

Jon

Runeslinger

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Feb 23, 2011, 8:19:41 PM2/23/11
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I like this idea.
I will make a banner, and get back to you. Thanks for the offer and
effort~

Trask

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Feb 23, 2011, 8:43:43 PM2/23/11
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This a bump post from earlier in the thread for latecomers:

Hi,

It looks like we have enough interest to make this a viable project.
The 125x125 banner size is a good starting point, so let us go with
that. I have an openx ad server that can handle management of the
network. Everyone puts in a banner and offers space on their site. I
will set all the banners to have the same mathematical "weight," so
they will cycle randomly across all the sites. Your own ad will not
appear on your site, since that would rather pointless. I do have a
couple of management requests:

1. Send me your site name and a 125x125 banner url. You can just
respond inline
to this thread rather than send an email.
2. I will send you a snippet of code. I can do javascript or iframe,
indicate a preference.

Ping me if you have any questions.

Trent

On Feb 23, 4:49 am, "Micah (from Obsidian Portal)" <fanm...@micah-

The Worldsmith

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Feb 25, 2011, 4:50:46 PM2/25/11
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Hey guys

Cheers for the bump, I'd be keen to also participate, just a couple of
quick questions. Do we have a deadline for banner submissions and also
is there an issue with people coming across this at a later stage and
wanting to participate?

Andy

Trask

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Feb 25, 2011, 5:17:00 PM2/25/11
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No deadline because this an ongoing project, so people will come and go at any time.

Trent

Trask

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Feb 26, 2011, 9:51:04 PM2/26/11
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Wanted to post an update on the banner exchange project. We have
successfully configured 3 sites to use the network and we are serving
banners! I am quite happy openx was up to the task and the setup for
each site is minimal, so the man-hours to maintain the network seems
low so far. A critical fact for a non-profit network. If anyone sees
any technical issues, please let me know.


Trent

On Feb 25, 3:17 pm, Trask <overl...@livingdice.com> wrote:
> No deadline because this an ongoing project, so people will come and go at any time.
>
> Trent
>

Chuck

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Feb 27, 2011, 1:31:43 PM2/27/11
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Just got to say thanks again. And yes folks it's working, :)

R K Athey

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Mar 16, 2011, 5:35:55 PM3/16/11
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Outstanding idea! I'll send The Savage Troll stuff soon. I need to
make sure I can wire it into blogger though.
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