aww poor neowin :(

[Joel]

What I do or do not do is not my point, nor am I judging anyone who does it. I'm just saying, don't pretend it's not illegal and act all high and mighty by pretending that a website asking nicely for your support is the same as the evil movie studios and ripping DVDs. The whole, "on principle, I rip DVDs to better control my viewing experience is the same as me blocking ads", just sounds silly. Neowin could turn that around and block users who block their ads, but they don't.

[Richard Hammond]

The UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1998 is severly outdated, its still illegal in the UK to rip a CD to transfer onto an mp3 player even though programs like iTunes offer that functionality. I dont agree nor care with such draconian laws, i paid for the dvd/blu-ray/music cd and i will make a personal copy if i so wished to do so, if i go to jail then i go to jail it doesnt make it right though.

[Joel]

The UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1998 is severly outdated, its still illegal in the UK to rip a CD to transfer onto an mp3 player even though programs like iTunes offer that functionality. I dont agree nor care with such draconian laws, i paid for the dvd/blu-ray/music cd and i will make a personal copy if i so wished to do so, if i go to jail then i go to jail it doesnt make it right though.

Well, as long as it doesn't come back to bite you in the ass, good luck to your selective law-abiding. Just remember, if someone else decides THEY don't like what they call a 'draconian law', you'll support them fully, right?

[Subject Delta]

People that use the site don't subscribe and block the ads are just leechers.

If i ran this site and leeches were using it, then i wouldn't be happy about it either.

Either use the site with the ads or don't use the site, easy choice really.

(i understand there is a grey area involving data capped users though)

You, sir, need to climb down off your pedestal and stop being so judgemental.

The people who don't believe in offering a mutual support in return for all the hard work volunteered by many staff members and members are such a pain to deal with, they are the most vocal and to boot the arguments posed to "back themselves up" are pretty weak too.

We ask people to don't be a dick and block a stream of revenue that provides for this site, staff and covers event costs. It's pretty straight forward isn't it?

To be fair, I think you guys are often guilty of looking at things from your own point of view, and not taking anyone else's into account. Does blocking advertising harm Neowin? well of course it does, it harms all sites. Thing is though, our bandwidth costs money as well, and for people like myself who have seriously limited amounts of data usage the advertising displayed on the site is obnoxious. It slows down the site significantly when you browse with a slightly slower connection, and it does cause issues for some people. It isn't just Neowin, most people who use ad blockers do so on all websites.

It isn't a question of "being a dick" in a lot of cases, for someone like myself browsing the net over a very limited 3G broadband connection would cause serious slowdowns on most sites, so its just a matter of saving money. I want to subscribe when I can afford it, but honestly statements like that are just offensive and offputting.

Congrats you learned how to use firebug or whatever add on you used to do it it's not hard. What if instead of hoping one day you learn to quit being selfish and being a freeloader and not even just letting them show ads so they can pay for the bandwith you are using they just decided to ban you here and now and let you come back when you subscribed so they knew they would be able to pay for the bandwith you use? Oh you don't think that sounds nice of them to do? Well blocking ads on a site that you are allowed to use for free isn't nice either so i guess it could work both ways.

You are also seriously judgemental and arrogant, and you too need to climb down off your pedestal and stop attacking people.

[Joel]

It isn't a question of "being a dick" in a lot of cases, for someone like myself browsing the net over a very limited 3G broadband connection would cause serious slowdowns on most sites, so its just a matter of saving money.

Are you talking about browsing from your phone?

[Subject Delta]

No, I am talking about what is known as mobile broadband, you plug in a 3G usb stick and surf with it.

[Septimus]

I would whitelist neowin, but last time I did, it had Intellitxt enabled. That **** is the spawn of satan in terms of usability.

[MikeChipshop Member]

Reply to Frank Fontaine...

So the users who think people should stop complaining about ads or messages asking people to white list Neowin are Judgemental and on pedestals... maybe we're concerned users who want the best for a community they visit regularly? Does that make me a bad person then?

I also consider that a personal attack and i would like it if you would not do that cheers.

[Subject Delta]

Reply to Frank Fontaine...

So the users who think people should stop complaining about ads or messages asking people to white list Neowin are Judgemental and on pedestals... maybe we're concerned users who want the best for a community they visit regularly? Does that make me a bad person then?

I also consider that a personal attack and i would like it if you would not do that cheers.

I consider you accusing me of being a leech because I choose to block ads to be a personal attack as well, I mean what's good for the goose is good for the gander right. If you apologise, and retract your derogatory statement, I will retract mine as well, otherwise... well... you will be getting no apology from me. Calling anyone leech is judgemental, whether you can accept that fact or not.

I want the best for Neowin as well, I just wish that web developers would give some consideration to the people that visit their websites. Advertising like Google adsense isn't a problem, it isn't obnoxious, and it consumes very little bandwidth, but with stuff like IntelliTXT and flash banners, and so on, it really does suck bandwidth, and just annoy the hell out of users. I don't want Neowin to go under by any stretch, but surely it isn't unfair to advocate the point that there should be some middle ground with regards to advertising?

[BoredBozirini]

Is it ok if I just hide the div (using a custom CSS style here).

The ad loads, but I just hide the whole div because I don't like seeing it :D

[Joel]

No, I am talking about what is known as mobile broadband, you plug in a 3G usb stick and surf with it.

Is this the only way for you to have an Internet connection in your home?

[Paul Paliath]

To be honest, I have no idea why people want to stab their face over the non intrusive ads on Neowin. There's really no point in blocking them, because they in no way hinder the experience here.

[Ryoken]

Is this the only way for you to have an Internet connection in your home?

I can have 26.4 Dialup when home on weekends.. And that's not an option during the week when I'm at a boarding house without access to a phoneline.

[ahmz]

It would be funny if you made that image smaller, pushed it to the left and added some fake google ads to the image to fill out the space.

[vanx]

It seems like it takes a lot of energy to fight to continue to be, well, a dick about this. I forgot I had a browser still set to block ads when I saw the graphic, so it was a good reminder. But you're saying that not only should they not tell you what you already know, you'll take further steps to block the block notice (which aren't ads now, so you can't scream "privacy issue!") just to assert your authority over your browser and this website, like some chest-thumping primate who just protected his mate.

I don't appreciate being called names like that. It certainly doesn't add credibility to your statement. I already said that I will subscribe, but the further you will continue to push the envelope the less inclined I will be.

Using that logic, you should tell off any service that send you reminder notices.

And I call those notices junk/spam email that goes straight in the bin.

[Joel]

I don't appreciate being called names like that. It certainly doesn't add credibility to your statement. I already said that I will subscribe, but the further you will continue to push the envelope the less inclined I will be.

I'm just a member, who hasn't said anything the owner didn't already say.

And I call those notices junk/spam email that goes straight in the bin.

So, if your bank or credit agency sends you a reminder, you junk it?

[MikeChipshop Member]

I consider you accusing me of being a leech because I choose to block ads to be a personal attack as well, I mean what's good for the goose is good for the gander right. If you apologise, and retract your derogatory statement, I will retract mine as well, otherwise... well... you will be getting no apology from me. Calling anyone leech is judgemental, whether you can accept that fact or not.

I want the best for Neowin as well, I just wish that web developers would give some consideration to the people that visit their websites. Advertising like Google adsense isn't a problem, it isn't obnoxious, and it consumes very little bandwidth, but with stuff like IntelliTXT and flash banners, and so on, it really does suck bandwidth, and just annoy the hell out of users. I don't want Neowin to go under by any stretch, but surely it isn't unfair to advocate the point that there should be some middle ground with regards to advertising?

I didn't mean it as a personal attack on any user as such just a group of users, if you fall in to this catagory then i'm afraid it was aimed at you... i don't want to cause any personal distress mind you so for that i do apologise.

Yes i agree about un-obtrousive ads, but i do also consider Neowins ads to be just that (except the ones show up in the text and then add a full blown pop up message, that IS intrusive!)

[Ji@nBing]

Just out of interest are the ads per click or per view?

I've asked this SOOOO many times in the past and have never got an answer.

[Subject Delta]

I didn't mean it as a personal attack on any user as such just a group of users, if you fall in to this catagory then i'm afraid it was aimed at you... i don't want to cause any personal distress mind you so for that i do apologise.

Yes i agree about un-obtrousive ads, but i do also consider Neowins ads to be just that (except the ones show up in the text and then add a full blown pop up message, that IS intrusive!)

Surely though, you should realise that calling ANYONE a leech IS an extremely insulting statement. You are levelling an insult at a group of people, and presuming something about them, that is called prejudice pal, and it's wrong. If I turned around and made a statement like (before anyone brings the warn book on, this is hypothetical only) "all Subscribers are a bunch of arrogant, high and mighty so and so's that think subscribing makes them morally better than everyone else" I would be warned for it, and it would upset you, rightly so in both cases. So tell me, what gives you the right to make exactly the same kind of generalisation in reverse? it is patently rude and uncalled for.

[Growled Member]

Surely though, you should realise that calling ANYONE a leech IS an extremely insulting statement. Y

I don't worry about what they call me. I'm going to do what I'm going to do regardless and I expect them to do the same thing.

[Joel]

I've asked this SOOOO many times in the past and have never got an answer.

I've been credited money by Google for views only before. It's not inconceivable that Neowin gets more hits than I did. ;)

[Examinus]

The only justification for blocking ads I can see is if they make your computer spaz out with all the Flash or infect it with malware (which is what happened on another site I visit. They didn't get a second chance). I subscribed because I've been reading Neowin for years and I was really impressed with the new look and features; I also saw how much work went in because of the problems.

If you can't afford ~0.5p a day maybe you need to prioritise your finances a little better and get rid of your internet connection?

[08993]

The only justification for blocking ads I can see is if they make your computer spaz out with all the Flash or infect it with malware (which is what happened on another site I visit. They didn't get a second chance). I subscribed because I've been reading Neowin for years and I was really impressed with the new look and features; I also saw how much work went in because of the problems.

If you can't afford ~0.5p a day maybe you need to prioritise your finances a little better and get rid of your internet connection?

Hmmm, what about the other 20-30 sites I visit daily that want me to sub up as well? You can tell by my post count and years active that I have divided loyalties.

I'll unblock ads fine, but don't make me feel bad for not subbing.

[Subject Delta]

I don't worry about what they call me. I'm going to do what I'm going to do regardless and I expect them to do the same thing.

Some people are more thick skinned than others of course, but it is a simple principle of respect, and to make a comment like that is disrespectful. He may disagree with the opinions of blocking ads, as may other people, but calling us "leeches" and accusing us of "being dick's" is just uncalled for. The staff seem to call for respect on this message board, but who the rule actually applies to is a bit more questionable :/

Personally I work as staff on IPB boards, and I even block advertising on them, I am not solely trying to screw Neowin out of a few pennies, like a lot of people here, I post on more than one forum, and if I was to unblock one I would have to unblock them all.

[Examinus]

Hmmm, what about the other 20-30 sites I visit daily that want me to sub up as well? You can tell by my post count and years active that I have divided loyalties.

I'll unblock ads fine, but don't make me feel bad for not subbing.

Did you read the first paragraph? It kind of provides a context for the second.