Gaia: Think Tank - Gaia Sponsors

Re: What do you think?

http://lovejasmine.gaia.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:42:16 GMT

~

i just wonna say again that i soooooo love ur ads (especially those that move (flash)) n thx to one of them i'll be doing some yoga in the middle of Times Square this w/e

soooo cool ^.^

Re: zaadz to gaia

http://discoverfarther-w-humanity.gaia.com — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:26:31 GMT

The only woe I would say about this site: myGaia takes way too long to load. Its similar to iGoogle or any big sites, which I do not find a need of that. Otherwise, purple is cool and good for my taste.

zaadz to gaia

http://maitrihealing.gaia.com — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:32:50 GMT

Hi, Thanks for your wonderful website community & resources. I was more attracted to the yellow zaadz than the purple gaia. The color yellow-orange grabbed my attention and the word "zaadz" seemed new and innovative. Purple seems more neutral and doesn't appeal to my senses and gaia feels like "been there, done that." If you stick with the change, I hope that it appeals to many others who maybe have a different mood than me.

Thanks-Teresa

Re: Pomo World Doubletake

http://cz.gaia.com — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:58:25 GMT

well, i'm in hawai'i right now, so on first glance it looked like "pono" to me...a wonderful concept. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pono)

Advertising dollars to support local enterprises?

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:16:00 GMT

I'm afraid I'm cross posting a bit here, from the Trust System board and the seeds & gardens thread Zet started. In various places it has been suggested that the 'seeds' be integrated into a system that supported charities or local ( zaadz/gaia developed?) enterprises.

The idea being that some revenue from sponsors be put towards zaadz/gaia chosen (or grown?) enterprises. The seeds could be how we as a community decide what enterprise at any given time be allocated the money. Here are some of the relevant bits from the above thread:

Zet: Zaadz needs to grow economically, and however weird this sounds, this should be in our interest.

DavidC: Yes,
yes! Your suggestion that Zaadz offers advertisers a way of 'giving
back' is a great way to get seeds to work in the real world. So
advertiser dollars goes to Zaadz/Gaia community project for example and
Zaadsters give seeds to the idea they'd like to grow. This would be a
direct way that we, the Zaadz community ,could manifest our vision into
the larger community of the world.

Sandra: I believe that one of Gaia's long term wishes is to support local enterprises - how wonderful if these were Gaia community inspired 'enterprises' or projects …. (which, of course, align with the 'mission' of Gaia - re changing the world).

eg
- - (once running costs be covered etc) - every month (or..) an
advertiser's money goes towards funding a Gaia community inspired
project – and we as community members not only put forward our
'projects'/('gardens') for such funding, but we as a community use our seeds to say which 'garden' (project/enterprise) we would like to see grow at
any given time. Perhaps this is where 'weight' comes in – a person
whose seeds 'weigh' more, their seeds count for more in the 'seeding
which garden project' decision.

Today I just posted on the thread about kaioo - a new social network site which is non-profit and gives all advertising dollars to charity.

Personally I feel zaadz/gaia can do even 'better' than this - and is doing so by attempting to support its members to grow into their maximum potential -- and therefore whatever we 'do' to support the world might have an ever greater effect than simply giving money to charity.

And I feel there are possibilities here worth discussing, particularly the possibility of supporting community grown ideas.

Love,
Sandra

Re: Pomo World Doubletake

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:04:05 GMT

only just saw this. YES, gets me everytime too!

Re: What do you think?

http://transcend-include.gaia.com — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:34:30 GMT

This is such a long thread, I apologize if this has been mentioned before.

I make a habit of going to all the sponsors, since so many have cool stuff or interesting things to read, and to support zaadz.

But I just went to organic style and I nearly gagged! A small box of cookies for 55 dollars? We're not talking about fancy ingredients for special diets, we're talking flour. Organic, sure, but that doesn't mean a 1000% markup is a reasonable price.

How much do you folks look into these companies? I mean, where is that money going? While a certain not-very-nice part of me is happy to see stupid rich people parted with their money, I don't think this slick company deserves to be here amongst such superior vendors.

This isn't a huge deal, but it does add a certain yuck factor that turns me off.

Re: Women 4 Women Int'l (Sponsor Rec)

http://thesecretgratituderock.gaia.com — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:46:23 GMT

Hi Stacy,

Do you have a contact at Women 4 Women? I will give them a free 125 x 125 pixel logo ad on my website if they contact me with the artwork. I checked out their website and they look like a wonderful organization that should be spotlighted.

Best wishes,

Michelle
The Secret Gratitude Rock.com

Re: Women 4 Women Int'l (Sponsor Rec)

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:43:35 GMT

Hi Stacy,

Maybe you can also connect me to this women 4 women because I really need to start up a business for my living.

Regards,

Ijeoma

Lagos Nigeria

Re: Women 4 Women Int'l (Sponsor Rec)

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:53:23 GMT

Thanks for mail Diana, I have gone to kiva site before and was not able to get what I want. Pls is there any way you help me out. I will appreciate that.

Regards,
Ijeoma

Re: Women 4 Women Int'l (Sponsor Rec)

http://diana.gaia.com — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:50:31 GMT

Hello Ljeoma,

Have you ever thoughta bout contacting Kiva for this ? They could help you find the right contact!

Have a great day,
Diana

Re: Women 4 Women Int'l (Sponsor Rec)

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:15:00 GMT

Hello all,

pls, I need money for a business start up, if you can help me or connect me to any good business that will be appreciated.

Regards,

Ijeoma
Lagos Nigeria

Re: What do you think?

http://cz.gaia.com — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:31:52 GMT

i am so happy, and grateful, that zaadz has returned to a web experience we can enjoy without being exposed to blinking ads. my thanks to the zaadz decision makers! our eyes and minds will benefit... namaste, c.z.

Re: Advertisements... especially whole 9...

http://onegoal.gaia.com — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:06:59 GMT

Hi,
Don't know much about websites and IT.
What's whole 9?
Can i use adsense on my page to get revenue like other social networks?

In Joy,
Janaki

Re: What do you think?

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:42:32 GMT

So wonderful that there has been change here, thanks Siona and all.

I did want to add one final cent on this, it was posted on my own thread on Diving Deeper about this - one member brought up the fact that blinking lights and pictures can cause seizures & that in the UK there is regulation about how many blinks are allowed in ads because kids where having seizures. This was posted by someone who has a seizure disorder. I now believe this to be a very important issue, beyond my 'distraction' issue first posted.

Love to all,
Sandra

Re: What do you think?

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:26:08 GMT

I have noticed the blinking stopped! even the big bird on the 365 days to enlighenment ad, that drove me nuts, has quieted down.

I'm amazed and grateful for the fast action that has been taken after so many zaadsters shared how they felt about them.

thank you, team!
now back to the seeds discussion! ;)

sending love,
Gabriele

Re: What do you think?

http://ADLIAC.gaia.com — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:10:38 GMT

Siona, wrt

community members who include animated areas or sound in their profiles or posts or messages? Should we impose a general site policy against such things? I ask only because it does seem to be an issue of respect, but some people might not know how bothered others are by these features of technology.)

For myself, I think what people do in their z-places that we go and visit is a totally different matter from what is "in our face" no matter what page on the site we are on. I would be opposed to any policy against animation or sounds on people's own spaces. Not everyone is offended by animation or sounds in EVERY context. If people don't like them in someone's profile or other pages, they can tell the person. Or people who use them could ask for feedback. Zaadz could encourage people to ask for feedback.

i personally love some and hate others, in people's pages, so it really depends!!!!!!!!

Thanks for asking . You are sooooooo awesome......

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: What do you think?

http://alphaomega8.gaia.com — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:31:39 GMT

Hello friend, in all honesty I did not even notice the blinking add until they were mentioned. I guess in my line of work I've learned to ignore blinks, zings, flashes and so on............
In my opinion, these adds could be way more obtrusive. Compare these adds to ten web sites and tell me the score. I like the way they are formatted on one side of the page, because it makes it alot easier on the eyes. Goodness sakes, we could have adds popping out all around the screen, I'm sure glad that isn't the case. Well advertising is the way to help keep zaadz up and running. And I surely do not want to see zaadz stop! so to have those adds on the side, in continuity with the personality of zaadz and nothing going to crazy - well it is what it is. I kind of like the dancing adds, click here to win, and the peel down ones that take up the top of the screen. O.K. I'm being sarcastic, but it is a good comparison. I have always seen those blinking adds as christmas lights, cool, but time to move on.
take care,
Paul

Re: What do you think?

http://siona.gaia.com — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:00:56 GMT

Everyone?

I'm just weighing in again to say that we're in the process of moving back to a much stronger no-animated-flashy-flashy-blinking-ad policy. I have to say I don't mind some of the subtler fades much, but I understand both the distraction--and even pain--that's resulted, and we'll make it clear to our upcoming sponsors that (y)our goodwill depends on their being good citizens as well.

Feel free to write to any of them to left them know of how you feel, though. I think THAT would make the most difference!

(A hypothetical question: how do you feel about community members who include animated areas or sound in their profiles or posts or messages? Should we impose a general site policy against such things? I ask only because it does seem to be an issue of respect, but some people might not know how bothered others are by these features of technology.)

Also, I suppose now might be a good time to present a little heads up about what will likely happen in January-- when we'll be providing an ad-free option for the site. We'll also be introducing a top banner for the occassional sponsor who wants to step up as a larger supporter of our community. We've heard from a few organizations (some commercial, some educational) who've been interested in playing such a role.

I want to emphasize that this spot is going to go only to those who understand the community and who know what we're about; we're not going to sell the space to just anyone and we want to make sure that their art and approach fits in well with the rest of the space... and, too, that what they're offering is a valuable service, or otherwise in alignment with our values. And again, you'll always be able to opt out.

Anyway. Just some news of what's to come (she says, crossing her fingers that everyone who's written will be understanding about these decisions--or at least open to discussing them more). And again, over the next two weeks... keep an eye on that right bar. It's going to quiet down.

Phew. You're all really something, you know that? :)

Much love,
Siona

Re: What do you think?

http://cz.gaia.com — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:41:40 GMT

hi to everyone, i haven't been on zaadz much lately, but when i logged on today i was saddened ( & distracted) by the invasion of the blinking ads. i consider this a serious problem with the zaadz experience... I understand why zaadz believes in the need for ads (although ideally, it would morph into having a more advanced model) and can deal with the inclusion of some static ones. but think of how great it would be if zaadz could be an example of a more meditative visual experience, a web respite of sorts. the net's current proliferation of rampant bad flashy content (amidst lots of amazing stuff as well, of course ;), means those who are online a lot are subject to eye fatigue, even if we believe we've become "accustomed" to it. physiologically, it's simply tiring to have images flashing away as one tries to think, or type (let alone ponder and get meditative, as zaazdsters are here to do!) i appreciate many of the advertisers; in fact, the tulsi tea featured in the ad that keeps seizing my right eye's field of vision is brewing in my kitchen. furthermore, i was seriously interested in the half-price sale the ad was promoting. however, i didn't need three different images to cycle by in the ad within a few seconds to convey the information! (can someone at zaadz marketing please pass this along to organic india? :) yes, it's possible for me to resize the window and "cut out" the ads on that side, but i don't want to have to do that each time i enter a problematic page; it's a waste of time and keystrokes. if i do so, it also means zaadz ad dollars aren't as well spent, and i'm that not having exposure to information that might truly interest me and lead me to investigate the advertisers. i've been planning to spend more time on zaadz, but the idea of such investiture is way more enticing if i'm not bombarded with animated ads-in-motion every time i visit. hmmm: just in the time i've taken to write this post, my right eye has really gotten fatigued and repeatedly distracted by the animations. time to go do some eye yoga! namaste, c.z. p.s. although i'm a newbie to the thread, could i humbly suggest retitling its subject title or starting a new thread with a pointer to the discussions to date? when i searched for "flashy ads", i got three hits to this blog, whose title confused me until i started reading the posts. when i search for "ads on zaadz" i don't easily come across any pods with the title, just rudyan's excellent blog posting at http://gospelwriter.zaadz.com/blog/2007/11/ads_on_zaadz