RE: Randomizing, sort of

<snip> > I'll definitely check these services out, but I generally prefer to do > things on my own instead of using services because: > 1) I have absolulte complete control over the look/configuration/etc. With phpAdsNew, you have fantastic control over everything. I just installed the latest verstion (2 beta 7), and am astounded at the configuration process. You also have 100% control over where your banners go, what is displayed, etc... > 2) No hassle of linking, payment, or placing ads, etc. that comes with most > services. phpAdsNew is free, and free. That is, it's free (you don't have to pay for it), and it's free (you get the code, and you get to modify it to suit your needs, should you need to do so). That, of course, doesn't preclude linking or placing of ads, but you don't need to do so with phpAdsNew. It's free in most any sense of the word you can come up with. > 3) I'd prefer at least to learn how to do it to expand my programming > skill. I learn nothing by going with a service. That's a valid point, but not completely true. I agree that you perhaps lose an opportunity to program your own solution. However, you will be getting a well put-together piece of software for free. A great way to learn is by looking at what other people have done. You get to do this with phpAdsNew. Also, if you see a feature that you need, and that the software doesn't have, you can dive right in and add it. Even more challenging a programming problem than writing your own code from scratch is modifying someone else's to do exactly what you want it to (in some cases, at least). I have tweaked phpAdsNew a little to suit my needs. In one case, a feature that was suggested by someone else, and that I made work on my site has been added to the next release. It was nothing fancy, but it's nice to have. However, you're very right that expanding programming skills is a necessity. But rather than re-writing something that someone's already done, why not start another project that nobody's done? Or become a developer of an existing free project? You'd definitely be learning new programming skills, and you'd be contributing to a great community that always needs more developers. Sorry, I guess I strayed off-thread a little. I just wanted to plug some good software, and blather on about free software... Joel -- [ joel boonstra | jboonstra@gospelcom.net ]