What is up with the black and white forum skin? I don't like it? What happened to the color?

I like the style of it, its smooth slick and new feeling. Howver, I think its just down for the moment since the banner and such are gone and it just says teh IP Board at the top =^) to answer your question Vortex

I don't know what version of IPB the guys were running, but they more than likely just upgraded or did something that requires reinstalling or redoing the skin. I did notice the whole site was down for a bit earlier, so that may have something to do with it...or may not..

The forum skin is the new default. We changed it as a result of the downtime that occurred this afternoon. Our community is getting larger and larger and is becoming more and more taxing on our server. As a result of this, we decided to make the default skin something that has several fewer images associated with it. This should help free up some server connectivity and help KIC stay on this server for at least a little while longer. So yeah, I'm sure I've told you guys this before, but KIC only lasts on a server for about 6 months before we are evicted. Every time we move, it's always to be a bigger and faster server and six months later, our community outgrows it and we are asked (well, instructed) to take our business elsewhere.

Ryan got it somewhat right, the old skin had more than a handful of images and with the community getting bigger and bigger, it bogged down the server and we got took down for awile. For a temp fix for this problem, I took down the old skin and set this Pro skin from Invision up as default that has alot less images.

Right now I have a new dedicated server being built at http://www.theplanet.com so we can have all the power we will ever need (and much more.)

Dane: "Hey Ryan, we really need a dedicated server. Think we should get one?"

Ryan: "Sure thing, Dane! You know best!"

Yeah, I wish that conversation had happened.

For a couple thousand KIC could buy its own server and get all these pesky adds removed. Think about it. If all the users donated $2 or $3 we coudl have a really nice server.

But how are you going to convince ALL 3,000+ members to pony up $2 or $3? Keep in mind that of the registered members, only a small percentage actually post, and an even smaller percentage post with any regularity.

The ads are part of our contract with Cox Ohio Publishing. They have nothing to do with the server. Contractually, the ads can't pop up, they can't be offensive, and they can't make noise. Since KIC is completely free, scrolling past a small graphic isn't too much to ask of anyone.

The ads dont really bother me, they arent the IN YOUR FACE kinda ads that take up half the screen. Its easy to just overlook them and move on .. it doesnt bother me .. and coastersrz makes a good point .. it takes a lot of members to make a solid based group of members that actually post on a day to day week to week basis. =^)

We do really appreciate the loyal KIC members. In fact, it was clear as to who many of you were at KIC Day when the site had its deadest day... EVER!

I think some change every once in a while is good.

Yeah I'm pretty used to it now, the new skin. But it kinda caught my off guard.

Ohh, It caught me off gaurd today.

Just think how off gaurd we're going to be when we say,

"Hey, guys, who wants to ride, Hollywood Thrill Ride?"

But how are you going to convince ALL 3,000+ members to pony up $2 or $3? Keep in mind that of the registered members, only a small percentage actually post, and an even smaller percentage post with any regularity.

I post regular!

That's nice, thanks for announcing it to the group.

Afterall the first step is admitting your problem lol

And I am old enough to remember when Post used to advertise that if you ate Grape Nuts, you'd BE regular! Important thing that as one gets up in years...

That's nice, thanks for announcing it to the group.

Afterall the first step is admitting your problem lol

^5

virtual high five lol!

Well I think if KIC was to ask for donations to help with a bigger server most of us would be willing to help.

Our agreement with Cox Ohio Publishing gives them the rights to put ads on the site, however they do foot the bill for the server.

And, especially but not just when compared to other ad supported sites, one must note that Cox's ads are inoffensive, quiet, respectable and hopefully effective for their advertisers. Just a short visit to some point****, scream*****, coaster****, etc., sites should show you the difference, not to mention certain car, marketing, cultural and entertainment sites....

Ohh, It caught me off gaurd today.

Just think how off gaurd we're going to be when we say,

"Hey, guys, who wants to ride, Hollywood Thrill Ride?"

Nobody...especially since it will be called Back Lot: Stunt Coaster.

Congrads Boddah getting bigger all the time. When you start getting enough hits for advertisers to start wanting to put adds up, your heading for the big time he he he.

Ohh, It caught me off gaurd today.

Just think how off gaurd we're going to be when we say,

"Hey, guys, who wants to ride, Hollywood Thrill Ride?"

Nobody...especially since it will be called Back Lot: Stunt Coaster.

Yea, well, some guess better than others!

I'm intrigued by this thread. How did this site land a deal with Cox Publishing? I assume they must make decent money from the ads? As a reader of several of the above mentioned coaster sites, I think it's great that the ads are not overly annoying.

Any plans to do a new forum skin now that the site is on a dedicated server?

The answer is slowly, but they contacted us first. The ads are and will always be quality and genuine. Stuff is still in progress about moving servers again.