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Amazon mouseover links?

 
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Do the Amazon.com mouse over product previews enhance or detract from Cooking For Engineers?
Product previews enhance Cooking For Engineers
44%
 44%  [ 4 ]
Product previews detract from Cooking For Engineers
0%
 0%  [ 0 ]
I see the product previews, but I have no opinion on them
22%
 22%  [ 2 ]
I see regular links and no product previews
33%
 33%  [ 3 ]
Total Votes : 9

Author Message
Michael Chu



Joined: 10 May 2005
Posts: 1654
Location: Austin, TX (USA)

PostPosted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:54 pm    Post subject: Amazon mouseover links? Reply with quote

So, as you have undoubtedly noticed, Cooking For Engineers is littered with links to Amazon products. I don't add links to products unless they make sense (mentioned in an article, used in a recipe). This serves a two fold purpose:
1. By linking to the product I am discussing or mentioning, it takes some ambiguity out of the product mention. For example, when I talk about using a silicone baking mat, the amazon link takes you to a silicone baking mat. If you need further description of what that is, the amazon page provides it.
2. If someone buys something from amazon after following that link, I get a fraction of the revenue from Amazon - which is one of the big ways I'm able to keep this bandwidth heavy (all those people downloading all those pictures adds up) free.

About a month ago, I added a new feature that amazon made available: mouseover details for those links. Because this is in beta, only about half of my readers see this feature. I was resistant at first to enabling this, but I kind of like it - whenever I mention a wire rack, just hover your mouse over it and a picture of the wire rack plus price info pops up. But I'm wondering what you guys (who do see the rollover enhancements / product previews) think?

Please leave your comments...
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Jörg



Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 51

PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't really care one way or the other. I definitely don't think they detract, but I'm not sure they add too much, either. I can definitely see how some people might like them, though.
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Sherrick



Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 6
Location: Blackwater, KY USA

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello! I'm new to the site, and I can tell you that the "mouseover links" were one of the things I found particularly interesting and helpful when I first got here. I love the fact that if I am not 100% exactly what type of knife or rack or grater you are talking about, I can immediately see a picture and read further detailed information if I wish. It is nice to know that we are talking about the same things and that our shared language is based around specific ideas.

The only real negative I can think of is that by having these links pop up, it could seem that you are attesting to the quality of a specific item available on Amazon, Michael. Then, if someone makes a purchase and is ultimately unhappy with the product, does that create an uncomfortable situation or an issue of credibility?

Just a couple of things to consider.

By the way, I really am enjoying your site and have found it to be both very helpful and quite entertaining. Thanks for all of your hard work.

Sherrick
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youngcook



Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 97
Location: GA

PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They didn't bother me, michael!
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