OpenX Tips

Editor’s note: this is a post by guest blogger Erik Geurts

Just like in March 2010, a new version of the OpenX software has been released recently, but not a single byte of publicity has been devoted to it. No mention on the OpenX blog or on Twitter, nothing. Judging from the dates on the files in the download archive, the new release was completed on September 2nd of 2010, so almost a week ago.

This new version 2.8.6 seems to be mostly about the security issue that was found and fixed a few weeks ago. Back then, on August 12, a somewhat cryptic announcement was posted on the OpenX forums, informing people how to fix the security problem. That post also hinted at a new release that would be out soon.

The release notes file in the 2.8.6 archive points to the OpenX Developer site for more details, but the issue tracker for version 2.8.6 is still open and most issues in it are still marked as unresolved. And the version check inside the OpenX software

Altogether, this is a pretty strange situation. Obviously, it’s smart to upgrade to a new version as soon as it’s released, especially if the upgrade is about fixing security issues. On the other hand, what should we think about a release that is not announced in any way, shape or form?

Download the OpenX Community edition v2.8.6.

Editor’s note: this is a guest blog by new contributor Erik Geurts

It has been a few months since The Guru has posted a tip or news item, and I decided to reach out to him and ask if I could help out. To make a long story short, I was offered the role of guest blogger here on OpenXtips.com, and this is my first post.

OpenX consultant and guest blogger Erik Geurts

Let me start by introducing myself. I have many years of experience using OpenX, I can’t remember exactly but it must have been late 2003 or early 2004 when I started using it. What I do know is that I joined the OpenX Community Forums on May 23, 2004. Like many I was searching for answers, but I found that I could also help others with their questions. I began getting requests for paid consulting work soon after, and this enabled me to start my own business as an OpenX consultant in 2008. The slightly longer version of this story can be read in a post on the OpenX company blog from May 2008.

Fast forward to the summer of 2010 and I’m still doing what I love, helping publishers, ad networks and advertisers with their OpenX Ad Server. Another part of my business is now to help people with the hosting of their OpenX systems, focusing on the European market for the moment. And last year I co-founded a project to kick start the development of plugins for OpenX Ad Server, with fellow OpenX consultant and expert Matteo Beccati.

Turning a hobby into a full time occupation and a growing business has been an amazing experience. It might look like it all went without effort, but let me assure you starting a business takes time, energy, dedication and perseverance. It’s all been worth it, in my book.

I’m planning to post some of my own tips here on OpenX Tips, I’ve got a few ideas already but feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions.

Shameless plug: I’m hosting an OpenX Master Class on October 7, in Amsterdam (Netherlands). During this unique event, a group of experienced OpenX users will gather to discuss advanced features and use cases of the OpenX Ad Server software. I will be facilitating this event to make sure it will be an intense training course and a memorable experience. More information and a signup form on my site.

A bit of a general advertising world news round-up this week — don’t worry, The Guru has a couple of OpenX tip posts lined up for the next few weeks!

Yahoo!’s ad network getting some bad press for malvertising

Yahoo!’s Right Media has had some bad press lately for being one of the ad networks most guilty of serving up malware on publisher sites — and especially for past comments that this is somehow the publisher’s fault!

… while Google appears to be trying to do something about it

Meanwhile, Google has been getting some good press for its anti-malvertising site, which includes some tips for publishers on how to try to avoid displaying malvertising on your site.

Google moves into retargeting

Retargeting has been covered on OpenX Tips before, and to prove that this is not just a fancy tool that no-one is really using, Google are now offering retargeting on their AdWords campaigns. Are you thinking about how you can run retargeting on your advertisers campaigns yet?

Advertising spend on the up

Finally, some good news to finish up with! Apparently online advertising spend is on the up again, after a bit of a dip.

In the last week, OpenX announced the Orange Ad Market.

As far as The Guru can tell, this sounds like OpenX is licensing their OpenX Market technology to Orange, and there’s no plans for opening up the OpenX Market to additional inventory from Orange’s advertisers.

However, it’s still (hopefully) good news for OpenX users — The Guru continues to hope that the more revenue OpenX can generate, the more likely it is that OpenX will return to its roots and start looking after OpenX download users again…

Well, sort of. The Guru comes back from a break to find that while the release file of OpenX 2.8.5 is up on the OpenX site, there’s been no announcement from OpenX about this release, there’s nothing in the release notes in the download, and there are issues in OpenX’s own issue tracking system with regards to the release that are not resolved.

OpenX community member Erik Geurts has already posted a warning about this release – and his advice to avoid this release for now sounds eminently sensible, at least until someone from OpenX lets us know what’s going on. OpenX team, you out there???