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19 August 2011, 9:06 am
jarvi

More banners

Martyn, with casino names like Manhattan Slots and All Star Slots, why is it that I can only grab banners with bonus details or are targeted towards roulette? Am I doing something wrong?

You're also killing me with the process to grab the banners. Any chance you can make the image thumbnails clickable, rather than just hover to enlarge, so we can grab the banners without having to copy the code and then paste into a new browser window?

While I'm at it, is there any chance you can display the entire code rather than placing it in a window that requires us to scroll down and right, just to see it all? Not all of us want to, or can for that matter because of ad serving applications, use the code in the exact format so we have to copy and paste parts of it which is a pain when the window is so small.

While I have your attention. Any chance of some industry standard 300x250 banners?
22 August 2011, 4:24 am
AE-Martyn

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarvi

Martyn, with casino names like Manhattan Slots and All Star Slots, why is it that I can only grab banners with bonus details or are targeted towards roulette? Am I doing something wrong?

It seems so jarvi. There are banners for Manhattan Slots for Roulette, there will soon be some for Blackjack and other games too. However, there is a range of slot bonus banners pushing the welcome offer of 100% to $747. There is no offer for Roulette.

To find these banners, simply select the casino name and hit the 'Show Results' button. This will show all banners for Manhattan Slots. The slot banners will be the red ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarvi

You're also killing me with the process to grab the banners. Any chance you can make the image thumbnails clickable, rather than just hover to enlarge, so we can grab the banners without having to copy the code and then paste into a new browser window?

I take it you host the banners yourself?

This is the first time in nearly a year this has been complained about, but I will see if there is another way of getting banners for those affiliates who want to host them themselves without having to copy the code out, paste in a brower and save out from there. Maybe we can work in a download banner option?

I'll look into that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarvi

While I'm at it, is there any chance you can display the entire code rather than placing it in a window that requires us to scroll down and right, just to see it all? Not all of us want to, or can for that matter because of ad serving applications, use the code in the exact format so we have to copy and paste parts of it which is a pain when the window is so small.

This was looked into when we built the site, however the look and design of the site is compromised when you expand the text boxes to show all the code. A work around for this would be...

1. Select required casino (from select menus)
2. Select 'Text Links from the 'Type' dropdown
3. Hit 'Show Results'

This will provide you with the casino text link which is a lot shorter. You can also remove step 1 to show all casinos and simply change the target to alter the casino. You can also use campaigns to identify the banner used or page the link is used on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarvi

While I have your attention. Any chance of some industry standard 300x250 banners?

I'll see what I can do. I wasnt aware 300x250 was more of a standard these days, I'll get our art guys on creating these banners for all casinos. Thanks for the heads up on this on. :)
22 August 2011, 5:28 am
jarvi

Thanks Martyn. Not complaining, just giving some feedback and I can virtually copy and paste comments I've given to other programs. Euro Partners were the worst with over ten clicks and multiple windows just to get to the page with the code! Getting banners/links is something I detest and most programs seem to overly complicate the process. Perhaps I am just a simple person. Perhaps I am just not as patient as others.

For each of the properties I was only seeing two (or three?) banners per size. A bonus one, a roulette one and as it was a couple of days ago, it might only be the two banners. I was just checking to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong. Basically I would select the property (Manhattan Slots), the type (Banner), the banner size (468x60) then leave the theme as the default. I get two banners. I did try some of the other themes and didn't see any more so figured the default theme option was to show all of them. If that's all there is then fine, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing them because of the selections I was making.

I do host them myself and am definitely not alone. As I said above, perhaps people are just more patient than me.

Quote:

This was looked into when we built the site, however the look and design of the site is compromised when you expand the text boxes to show all the code.

So look and design was giving preference to usability? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Don't get me wrong I love the rest of the site and so much better than most programs out there. It's just the banner retrieval process lets down the whole experience. I'll check out the suggestion for grabbing via the text links and sounds like it might be faster for me.

Oh yeah, while I'm on a roll, any chance of adding in the banner file size? There's probably room in the second column where the Name, Casino, Dimensions and Type are shown.
22 August 2011, 9:53 am
AE-Martyn

Stop complaining! :)

Where were you when I was asking for help when we designed our program?

We canvassed a bunch of affiliates and took on comments and suggestions before we embarked on the redesign of Affiliate Edge/CWC Affiliates. We launched a beta version and added further parts to the program to cover off a lot of the bits that affiliates wanted. It's very difficult to please everyone unfortunately and we feel we came up with a pretty good way to give as much detail or as little as the affiliate wanted. Regards to the Marketing section, this is something that we are padding out. More banners will be added soon for all brands and we're almost ready with the Flash Games section.

We're working on adding sections that would add more value to our program, these take longer and use up resources so adding things like the banner size will no doubt be possible, but from a business perspective it''s not something that would leapfrog many jobs in the development queue.

Affiliate Edge isn't 1 year old yet, so although it's completely competent we are still working on adding some cool marketing features to it, the number and style of banners is definately one area we will be developing. The more options for you guys and girls the better.

We're getting there though. :)
22 August 2011, 10:57 am
jarvi

Quote:

Originally Posted by AE-Martyn

Where were you when I was asking for help when we designed our program?

Some things are just obvious and didn't think it necessary to tell you. Only kidding.

Seriously though, I can't remember seeing the request for feedback. I do often give it when asked (and also when not asked) and Amy can confirm this when Wager Junction sought our views. Almost wrote a book I think.

I guess the bit I can't understand is that programs often put formatting in with the code. I must have a totally different mindset because all I want is the url for the image and the url for the linking code. At least you didn't adopt the click once to highlight all the code which other programs use and drives me nuts. That means pasting into a text editor and extracting the part I need and adds another couple of steps to the procedure.

Actually, I'm not simple or impatient, just lazy, although I prefer to think of it as working smarter.
22 August 2011, 9:05 pm
Daera

I agree with everything you said Jarvi. I also save the banners myself. I hadn't ever thought to mention how much happier I am when I don't have to scroll little boxes, copy and paste the whole code somewhere else just so I can take out the part I want.

And you're right Jarvi, usability is more important then look and design.
22 August 2011, 9:58 pm
slotplayer

Should we be using the advanced or the standard code? I've been using the standard.

Martyn, perhaps a copy to clipboard option in the advanced/standard pulldown menu?

I usually use kb short cuts, ie CRTL A, but it highlights the whole page and not just the text box code even when putting focus in the text box.

Martyn, maybe the techs can look in to this when they get a chance?
23 August 2011, 3:17 am
AE-Martyn

Quote:

Originally Posted by slotplayer

Should we be using the advanced or the standard code? I've been using the standard.

You can use either code, the only difference being is that with the standard you lose a bit of the reporting functionality (impressions).

Quote:

Originally Posted by slotplayer

Martyn, perhaps a copy to clipboard option in the advanced/standard pulldown menu?

We did have that originally, but it was causing problems. So to ensure that the right codes were being copied it was removed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slotplayer

I usually use kb short cuts, ie CRTL A, but it highlights the whole page and not just the text box code even when putting focus in the text box.

Martyn, maybe the techs can look in to this when they get a chance?

The reason the shortcut CTRL+A doesnt work is because it's not actually a text box, it's just made to look like one.

In terms of functionality I don't think that highlighting code in the current way is too much effort. I use these codes on a daily basis and have no troubles. Also, as previously mentioned some affiliates prefer to grab sections of the code and not the full lot. We all work in different ways and it's impossible to please everybody with the way certain things work or perform.

I would suggest that these are all minor imperfections (on our part) for the way that you work.

If we provided just the tracking link on its own and the images seperate (like we used to do) people would hate it, I would get hate mail for it. I would also get emails asking how to use the tracking link and what the html code is to use it - It's been asked many times before.

So in providing the full code we should please the majority. Shouldnt we?
23 August 2011, 4:24 am
jarvi

Quote:

Originally Posted by AE-Martyn

If we provided just the tracking link on its own and the images seperate (like we used to do) people would hate it, I would get hate mail for it. I would also get emails asking how to use the tracking link and what the html code is to use it - It's been asked many times before.

So in providing the full code we should please the majority. Shouldnt we?

Just forward the hate mails to me and I will sort them out for you. Affiliates need to have a bare minimum of knowledge about how to operate their business and I would think being able to work out how to insert an affiliate code, with associated html, is high on the list of those things. If people have others do it for them, then they should have that minimum knowledge. If they need to be spoon fed the exact code, well...

I guess that explains where I am coming from with my original post and having never been on the other side I can only see things based on my experience as an affiliate and having seen how hundreds of programs do they same thing.
23 August 2011, 5:44 am
AE-Martyn

All hate mail will now be heading your way Jarvi, thanks.

Do you deal with forum threads too? There's one or two that I could do with your help on. ;)

On the links thing though, and in all seriousness, there are a lot of affiliates out there of ranging abilities and I am happy to help those who are well established and those that are just starting out. Who knows, that new guy who needs help with the links could turn out to be the next big thing. Helping them could help me in the future and help our industry as a whole.

It's my job too.
23 August 2011, 7:19 am
jarvi

Your holding your own pretty well with the forum threads Martyn. Besides, might be a conflict of interest sometimes.
24 August 2011, 5:30 pm
slotplayer

Quote:

Originally Posted by AE-Martyn

You can use either code, the only difference being is that with the standard you lose a bit of the reporting functionality (impressions).

We did have that originally, but it was causing problems. So to ensure that the right codes were being copied it was removed.

The reason the shortcut CTRL+A doesnt work is because it's not actually a text box, it's just made to look like one.

In terms of functionality I don't think that highlighting code in the current way is too much effort. I use these codes on a daily basis and have no troubles. Also, as previously mentioned some affiliates prefer to grab sections of the code and not the full lot. We all work in different ways and it's impossible to please everybody with the way certain things work or perform.

I would suggest that these are all minor imperfections (on our part) for the way that you work.

If we provided just the tracking link on its own and the images seperate (like we used to do) people would hate it, I would get hate mail for it. I would also get emails asking how to use the tracking link and what the html code is to use it - It's been asked many times before.

So in providing the full code we should please the majority. Shouldnt we?

yes of course, its not a problem for me, I've been coding since the 1980's and have a technical background. But like Javi said, affiliates should know some basics.
25 August 2011, 5:34 am
AE-Martyn

Quote:

Originally Posted by slotplayer

yes of course, its not a problem for me, I've been coding since the 1980's and have a technical background. But like Javi said, affiliates should know some basics.

You are right, they should. Fact is though, some don't!