We block ads via our caching proxy at work. It makes an enormous difference. Our staff comment ob how much advertising they see when they are surfing at home.

There are ads on websites? It's been so, so long since I've seen any.
Got tired of all the hijacking type ads in the past.

Loose Cannon wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 12:06:

Cutter wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 11:26:
Indeed. Just donate a few bucks to the guys at Adblock instead. I think Google has more than enough money.

It's not about donating money to the Adblock guys or Google, it's about donating money to Blue's News.

I run Adblock here because the page loads much quicker without ads, and I like the cleaner look of the ad-free page. $1/month is worth it, to me, for a clear conscience and to support the sites I enjoy.

Yeah, actually it is about shooting them a few bucks because they provide an amazing product for free.

Cutter wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 11:26:
Indeed. Just donate a few bucks to the guys at Adblock instead. I think Google has more than enough money.

It's not about donating money to the Adblock guys or Google, it's about donating money to Blue's News.

I run Adblock here because the page loads much quicker without ads, and I like the cleaner look of the ad-free page. $1/month is worth it, to me, for a clear conscience and to support the sites I enjoy.

DangerDog wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 11:52:
I've read that google is going to do the same thing with youtube, pay to not see ads.

seems like all they need to do is flip a switch to detect that you're using ad block and "block" you if you are.

Hulu does something similar, where you basically get 30 seconds of a black screen.

I've read that google is going to do the same thing with youtube, pay to not see ads.

seems like all they need to do is flip a switch to detect that you're using ad block and "block" you if you are.

Indeed. Just donate a few bucks to the guys at Adblock instead. I think Google has more than enough money.

Adblock plus does the same thing and is free.

I turn it off for websites that I like, and I wish to support with some ad-revenue. And they get exactly one chance to not fuck up, because if they do, they go back on adblock plus permanently. (Blue is literally the only exception to that, as I know the ad providers sometimes sneak in some bullshit.)

This comment was edited on Nov 21, 2014, 11:21.

garrywong wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 10:59:
Donating money directly to a website is not the same as paying not to see ads. I used to subscribe to RPS back when I read them. If Blues had a subscription I would sign up in a heartbeat as well.

You indirectly bring up an interesting point - what happens when a subscriber is banned? Who will be the first to start sending endless angry emails saying he'll sue for the $1/month he paid for 8 months? Who will be the first weirdo Canadian that endlessly mocks the US to think he has a right to be here?

Donating money directly to a website is not the same as paying not to see ads. I used to subscribe to RPS back when I read them. If Blues had a subscription I would sign up in a heartbeat as well.

Anyone ever see the movie "The Blues Brothers"? Well then, let me quote Dan Akroyd from the movie. "How often do I see ads when I am visiting websites? "So often I don't even notice them". Post all you want. I'll ignore them. And the ones that interest me I will click through on. I ignore commercials on YouTube as well. Just by muting the sound and scrolling the video off the page. Pay not to see ads? Please. Hehehehe, I just consider ignoring them...excuse me...viewing them as part of my job. A penny saved is a penny earned.

Loose Cannon wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 09:59:

garrywong wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 09:52:
HA! HAHAHAHAH! They want me to pay THEM to not see their ads?! What kind of nonsense is this? They have to pay ME a LOT of money to view any stupid ads!

See today's Out of the Blue. I would gladly pay $1/month to support Blue's News and not see any ads. It appears at least part of that money goes to content creators, not Google (it's not clear what Google's take is, if any).

I'll still run adblock, but would gladly toss money to Blue.

garrywong wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 09:52:
HA! HAHAHAHAH! They want me to pay THEM to not see their ads?! What kind of nonsense is this? They have to pay ME a LOT of money to view any stupid ads!

See today's Out of the Blue. I would gladly pay $1/month to support Blue's News and not see any ads. It appears at least part of that money goes to content creators, not Google (it's not clear what Google's take is, if any).

HA! HAHAHAHAH! They want me to pay THEM to not see their ads?! What kind of nonsense is this? They have to pay ME a LOT of money to view any stupid ads!