In a word: yuck

First, it encourages cheating even more, because now anything less than the #1 spot is harder to see.

Second, it just plain looks bad imho.

Third, it dramatically devalues the ads that other people have paid for.

As both an advertiser and a mud administrator, I sincerely hope you will remove that banner between the #1 and #2 spots, and return it to its former spot between #10 and #11.

I can't agree more, though I have a couple other poitns to make.

First, when I logged on and took a look at the list just now, I didn't even SEE the number one ad. I saw the banner ad and, like on virtually every other banner-ad driven site on the Web, assumed that the list started just below it. It took me a few moments to realize that the first entry was even there.

Second, speaking as a web designer, the change simply makes this a worse site for the average web surfer. The asymmetry is annoying and just plain looks bad, but that's a minor concern. The bigger concern is now there are 19 entries in a single block, and that sort of thing is just filtered out by the average user. No one wants to look at a big block of info. They go to the smaller, easier read sections instead, or just stop after the first few entries.

So, the re-placement of the banner ad immediately made me think that you're doing a disservice to both your number one vote-getter and perhaps everyone from about seven on down. I'm sure I'm not the only one who missed some things just because of the layout. I do hope that you take this into consideration and change it back to the way it was.

I'm just testing this arrangement to see how it goes. If the majority don't like it, I'll certainly change it back the way it was. I urge everyone to please post their opinions about this in this thread.

-Synozeer

I think I like the old way better too.

Three words: Annoying and ugly.

I like the old way. I fear change. Change is evil.

You're welcome!

And thank *YOU* for being receptive to your visitors' input!