If You're Blocking Ads While On ATS, You Get A Big Ugly Message

a reply to: Aazadan

Closer to a symbiotic relationship. Without either there is nothing.

a reply to: Aazadan

A weak excuse. You knew the terms of service when you created an account. The service is completely free to you. You just need to view an ad or two. In return you're given a platform to communicate with like-minded individuals.

a reply to: Eilasvaleleyn

Ah, and when one is asked to provide more than the original "contract" provides for? When the simple attraction of interested "members" is not enough?

originally posted by: Flint2011
I won't under any circumstances disable my adblocker for anything though. Not for ATS or anyone else.

Why don't you just come and take the food off my table then? It's the same thing.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord
You could get a day job.

Talented coders are in demand.

hey, i'll admit it... i use an adblocker. i hate looking at ads online. i hate it when they pop up in front of what i'm trying to read. however, i turned it off while i'm on this site. i like this site, i want it to continue.

and you know what, i also stream and torrent music & movies. stealing? sure. but i suppose i have a different take. i'm a film maker. art, creativity, and the purpose of expression is to stir up ideas and emotions, NOT to make money. when people ask me where they can see our first movie, i tell them how it used to be in theatres, then was on showtime and netflix, but now it's probably best for them to find a torrent if they don't want to buy the DVD. if something is good enough and important enough, then people will see the value in it and support it somehow. most of our fans BECAME fans by obtaining illegally downloaded copies of our films. and what happened? they threw a bunch of money at us when we kickstarted one that we just finished shooting.

if you like this site, and you like contributing, then c'mon, help it out somehow. if the idea of ads disturbs you so effing much that you just can't handle it, then ditch out. less stress all around, really. it's that simple.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

don't let people get ya all worked up. it's just a different point of view that they cannot realize.

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord
a reply to: PeterMcFly

I just think ad-blocking in general is unethical and overly-paranoid.

I've never blocked ads. I've never had problems.

Of course, I have intimate direct knowledge of how the ad technology works, and it's nothing like the FUD the ad-blocking companies feed you.

It's not unethical at all. Ads are annoying, and I seldom buy anything that I don't explicitly need and research well on my own anyway.

I have supported the website with donations though, and will continue to do so.


Are you able to create paid membership accounts ? For something like $20-30 per year I'd personally rather do that and avoid all the bandwidth hammering ads.

Also ATS looks much cleaner for me without ads.

I just disabled Add Block Plus on ATS. I can see how this practice of ad blocking is ruining the business of web design. Good job keeping your ads clean. I think that if you meet certain standards, you should get free whitelisting.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Okay, I am a bit disappointed in your response. I actually OPTED not to take food off your table by stating that I would simply not come here anymore. I like how you skewed that quote to take a piece of what I said out of context as well.

Theft? Grow up. It's not theft. It's a choice you idiot. Now I am done. I thought I would never ever have to speak to someone I respected so much like this. I disagree with your ethical stance. I didn't disagree with your doing what you have to do. I acknowledged that in the entire post that you so crudely quoted a snippet from.

Life is full of choices. I made mine. Deal with it. This is my last post for sure. I really do wish you the best though even though you acted like a bully here. I will forgive but I won't forget.

they dont pay my isp therefor i have the right to control what bandwidth gets used. if u have an awesome product then charge a fee to use it, otherwise F off!

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

if u have an awesome product then u should be willing to stand behind it and charge a fee, cause its great right?

originally posted by: TheScale
a reply to: SkepticOverlord

if u have an awesome product then u should be willing to stand behind it and charge a fee, cause its great right?

The thing is, you are the product.

a reply to: Phage

not exactly. they offer a forum for people to gather and share stories while moderating it and keeping it clean. thats what they are selling.

a reply to: TheScale

Ok. Amended.

We are the product as well as the market.

Interesting model. Apparently not working for some reason.

I don't participate that much in the forums but I do enjoy the content of ATS. I have whitelisted ATS in order to keep the content coming.

a reply to: Phage

theres many forums out there that charge a small fee for their members who then get extra access to more features. maybe ATS should think about improving their product and offering a more diverse set of features for paid members. btw a little off topic but if u havent noticed there is a war going on against ad block internet wide right now. im not sure why ATS is towing that line but there little adblock msg happened to pop up on the same day as dozens of other sites. so there is a concerted effort to push against this thats way bigger then one site.

Edit: i still dont agree that we are the product. the best example i can give is to look at television and the way it works. u have companies like comcast who provide a platform for companies to provide content for. comcast doesnt produce any of the content but they provide a platform for other people (this would be us on ATS) to put their content on.

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord
a reply to: PeterMcFly

I just think ad-blocking in general is unethical and overly-paranoid.

It's unethical to make a choice not to be advertised to?
How is it ethical to want to be advertised to?
You have children in the house, make sure they get their daily dose of ATS-approved products?

Sorry SO, I'm not going back to web with advertising anywhere- I ditched TV because I was sick of being sold at.
There's exactly 2 websites I donate to to keep ad-free.

originally posted by: Phage

originally posted by: TheScale
a reply to: SkepticOverlord

if u have an awesome product then u should be willing to stand behind it and charge a fee, cause its great right?

The thing is, you are the product.

Nail on the head.
In addition to being a well coded and maintained site, the main reason ATS gets clicks is due to the user generated content.

It's a horrible business reality for forum operators but it's not like this is some sort of unique, never before seen scenario.

ETA: Obviously having a site that is well managed and maintained is a good thing but with the advent of user content funnels like Reddit- this model isn't enough anymore.


Looking at the forum sub sections ATS should attempt to deliver NONE INTRUSIVE, relevant advertising for things like Conspiracy Conventions/Events, AV equipment, Photography equipment, Astronomy equipment, Computers,Mobile Phones, Anonymity software, Sci-fi books/TV shows/ Movies, Aviation Books/Events, Survival Equipment, Travel, Health Optimisation etc etc


Of course this takes more time and effort to implement but it has the benefit of being a tried and tested way to strike the balance between commercial needs and satisfying the (sovereign) contributors of community based websites.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: TheScale

Ok. Amended.

We are the product as well as the market.

Interesting model. Apparently not working for some reason.

Phage your posts in both threads have been excellent.
Hilarious, sarcastic but absolutely hitting the nail on the head.
Good stuff my friend, good stuff.