Do you use sidebars?

Do you often add a sidebar to your forum? If so, is it displayed on all pages or just the forum index (or other specific pages)?
Additionally, what are some of the things you include in the sidebar?

 

I don't use sidebars because my members tend to complain about them every single time. I, on the other hand, would prefer to use them.

 

I absolutely use a side column on my forums, on the homepage and forumhome only. I don't like it on forum display or showthread.

I typically use mine for affiliate links/images, adsense, extra navigation links (I try to leave my navbar as default as possible), etc. On my designs site, I use it to also desplay screenshots of my latest free releases.

I never use it for forum stats, as they are already available in the WGO box.
Latest threads / latest posts is a waste. You can get that info by clicking on the New Posts link :p

 

I like to have a nice looking sidebar on all pages.
The stuff i add there is different but on most sites i have added some information, links, poll and latest threads. Sometimes i also have some stats.

 

I agree. I personally think it looks awful when the forum statistics are moved to a sidebar and absent from the footer (the last thing you see at the bottom of the forum is the "View Forum Leaders" link).

 

I don't. I like the traditional view.

 

I like to use the sidebar on the forumhome. It provides an easy way to link to CMS pages that users might otherwise not find. I can also put links that people might frequently be searching for and by making a link blatantly obvious, I end up with a less frustrated user.

 

Exactly. After all of the whining and complaining, I decided that it would be best to get rid of them.

 

I wonder why your members don't like them. It seems that everybody here loves our sidebar. It must be a difference in our audiences.

 

A lose-lose situation if you ask me. :p There has to be some sort of compromise.

 

Tha is exactly what a side column should be used for, and what I use mine for.

 

I personally love a context-sensitive right column. Hardly use them though. Fracken HTML Tables.

 

I am contemplating moving my left side column to the right side.

 

Lot of plusses to the right sidebar column.. The primary ones are:

1) The column doesn't break up the eye.

2) Less scrolling to get to the sidebar navigation.

 

I use sidebar columns on both forumhome and homepages on my sites. Definitely needed for selling ad space as well as some navigational help as well.

I like left side columns though for some reason. Maybe because I'm left handed

 

A solution to the some members want it some members don't want it problem is to provide the same skin with and without the sidebar feature. That is what we do here on AA, though I'm not sure how many people are actually using the sidebarless version.

 

I didn't know there were 2 versions.


EDIT: AACCCKKK never mind. I wasn't paying attention.

 

If there is an option, the sidebar should be shown on all pages. I miss it on the thread view.