Excessive porn references on this site
 

Please don't think that I'm trying to flame anyone or anything here. I enjoy adult material as much as the next guy, but I think that there are too many porn advertisements and references to porn videos on this site. I enjoy surfing this site, but I believe it should be kept at the mainstream. Although The Blue Room sections are placed in a different area, it's just too prominent here. The same goes with the ads with all the sexy girls. And I think you are also alienating your female viewers and viewers who don't care for adult material.

I am not trying to be a prude (too much at least). There are other sites out there solely devoted to adult reviews. I don't think DVD Talk needs to be another.

Thanks for listening.

the only time you will see porn ads is after 8 pm. sometimes there might be a few bad dvds in the main section. also, the mature forum is where most of it is, but i think that this should go to the "feedback forum", not here.

Wait a minute, someone actually used the words "excessive" and "porn" in the same sentence?? ;)

I have been around here awhile and never noticed any. I will have to pay attention more. I never knew there was a mature forum and there is porn on it? I will have to check it out!!! Thanks.

And that's 8pm in what time zone? I brought this up a little while ago myself, and although it doesn't bother me, I'd be concerned about kids seeing this. I'm in Mountain time myself.

It will hit around 8:00 pm et. Do what I do, if the kids are around, scroll down really fast to what you are looking for (I've got parents, and thats how I do it.)

be sure not to link it to any of the main forums since the founder doesn't allow it. I'm guessing there is some there since the main reason that we got a mature forum is because there was a little too much in the "otter" forum.

Well I went to the Mature forum and found this:

[url] Never mind I guess I cant link it.

I did not know you could post pics like this on Dvdtalk.

Re: Excessive porn references on this site
 

Maybe you shouldn't surf the site while at work :D

yep

Ditto. :)

After 8:00 pm is a bunch of crap. Just yesterday I was showing my boss DVDTalk because she had some questions about DVDs and stuff. I go to the main forum and of course a huge porn banner pops up, luckily my boss is not the type to be offended but still...I think it's pretty bad to have them anywhere else other than the mature forum.

It's not a bunch of crap. and we don't have porn pop-ups

the founder has said that most people are off work or something like that.

Ah, the classic Straw Man approach ... he never said "pop-ups" ... he said a "banner" popped up with the main forum. With even a passing knowledge of websites, one can tell the difference (even with the unfortunate use of the phrase "popped up")

Also, while I personally don't have a problem with it, I could see how the titles in the Blue Room link atop every page could bother some.

Hey, as far as I'm concerned, bring on the pr0n ... but I see where some are coming from.

das

I just had this review come up while I was in the Dvdtalk forum at 7:15 pm est. Is it porn?

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=5272

Can I link this here?

Actually Geoff, I will take issue with that.

Remember that the internet is a global resource and that your site is accessed not just from within the US... so it is worth noting that 8pm in the US is the middle of the day for some/many of us (in Australia, Japan, New Zealand etc etc).

I don't really have an issue with the contents of the secondary windows using bikini clad women to advertise magazine subscriptions etc (other than the fact that they use valuable system resources to open and are an inconvenience to close), but if there are references/links to porn sites that appear after 8pm your time, then I would be concerned as my children might well be affected by them, being in a vastly different time zone.

regards, Tim...

Remember, this site is a private enterprise. Geoff can show hardcore gay porn pop-ups, or no ads at all. It's up to him. It's supported by ads and click-throughs by people who buy DVDS (adults with credit cards).

This place has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years, so whatever ads Geoff can get to pay the bills are OK by me (personally, I'd rather have porn banners than any kind of pop-ups). If you don't want your non-credit card-carrying kids to visit, there's plenty of software available that will prevent it.

"The Story of O" is not porn. Though it does have sadomasochistic themes... It is based on a French novel from the mid 20th Century.

Since Borg9 specifically mentioned the porn ads possibly alienating female viewers, I'll put in my two cents (I'm not sure if any of the other posters who have commented are female or not, but I am).

I'm completely uninterested in porn but it doesn't bother me that it's something that is discussed or advertised on DVDTalk. If anything, I think it's better to treat it as a fairly up-front special interest rather than some dark and dirty thing that can't possibly be viewed on any "normal" site. Obviously, having it separated out into the Mature forum is a very good idea -- I've peeked in there a couple of times out of curiousity, and YIKES there is some weird stuff :) But there's no accounting for tastes.

As far as the advertising goes, I've never really noticed anything I'd consider inappropriate, even though I often visit the site in the evening (though not generally *late* evening, as I'm probably watching a movie at that time!). I've definitely never noticed anything off-color during the day... and anyway, if being seen by the boss is an issue, well... surfing non-work-related sites is probably not a great career move if your boss can unexpectedly pop up and look over your shoulder.

When "adult" DVDs started showing up for review in the reviews section, I was initially concerned, because I felt that having porn titles interspersed with the regular titles would alienate readers in a big way and seriously de-legitimize the review section. (No offense to porn viewers, that's just my opinion). But I think Geoff headed that off at the pass by having a separate section for the adult titles. Personally, I'd rather have those titles represented by a link like "View adult reviews here" which would take you to a page of adult reviews, and have the extra space on the reviews page for more regular reviews, but it's an OK arrangement as far as I can see it anyway.

The adult DVDs are apparently a big draw for advertisers, which supports the site financially. I never want to see DVDTalk go the way of other, previously good speciality-subject sites which switched to requiring members to pay for membership. Whaaaatever - I don't visit those sites any more.

DVDTalk is a fantastic site for information, bargains, reviews, and conversation, and it's completely free -- I think that if the adult DVD retailers are happy to spend their advertising money here, it's just good for all of us in the long run. Geoff has been consistent in having restrictions on the adult ads and content, and while it's not as stringent as separation as some would like, it's still a pretty good separation. The application of some common sense, along with a realization that not everyone feels the same way about the subject, is all that's required to deal with the "adult" ads here.

Here's my take on it.I've been a member of this site for almost 3 years now. My visits to it have dropped steadily. That's not to say the porn ads are responsible. I don't have a problem with them but I agree that many may not like them and they may be viewed be minors. While minors should be supervised while using the net, most adults would think that a site like DVDTalk would be kid safe. While I realize DVDTalk is Geoff's private enterprise and that he may do as he choses, my love for DVDTalk died long ago. Years ago I used to complain to the links to FiveStar DVD at the top of every page and how i thought that it seemed inappropriate(i stopped visiting DVDTalk from my at the time work when i realized there were any type of adult links). Now we've got porn reviews mentioned on the front page. Between the increase in porn ads and the damn popups for "Free Coupons" or a "Cool Region Free DVD Player" I'm getting a little annoyed. As i said, I've got no problem with adult material but i don't go to dvdtalk looking for it. I also understand Geoff can do as he pleases but i just want him to know that he's alienating alot of readers, including long time DVDTalk fans such as myself.

While he may be alienating some, he's also bringing aboard others. You can't win in this situation when you run a site. No matter what you do, some proportion of the readership is going to be unhappy. Even if you do nothing, someone's going to be unhappy. You can't please everyone. And if you try to, you only end up alienating EVERYONE, or you sink the site.

Only hundreds? Newbie. :)

Until Geoff puts in pop-ups that come after I close a window, it's cool with me.

what are his options?

I would think getting people to pay to come here would alienate some people also.

every change will alienate someone. so with any change you lose some, The key for Geoff is losing the fewest will keeping the site alive. if you lose few enough and still continue to gain some new members in time you will be ok.

I really do not see the choice Geoff has.

Sorry you are not around as much; however in spite of what you said he still has you as a sometimes visitor and the money he needs to keep the site. It looks like Geoff made the right choice :)

Why is it every time someone brings an issue of concern to the forefront, the response if often, "it's Geoff's site ... he can do what he wants."

Well, of course, it's his site and, of course, he can do what he wants with it, but it's irresponsible for those of us who frequent the forum on a daily basis to not voice our opinions on matters of policy. If he hears our opinions and doesn't agree with them, that's his choice, and I don't think any of us really have a problem with that.

There's nothing harmful in expressing concern in a mature way. What's harmful is if Geoff does something to the forum that drives us away in droves and no one speaks up to tell him why so he can change it if he wishes. Being a responsible part of any community requires that you not only speak up when you dislike something but also speak up when you see something good.

It will always be Geoff's site, and the decisions will always rest with him, but we will never stop providing him with our opinions and feedback ... and I assume he would never want us to stop either.

das

I completely agree with the "can't please them all" attitude and I'll admit that I have no real suggestions. Just felt the need to express my opinion.