aww poor neowin :(


Recommended Posts

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.

The UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1998 is severly outdated, its still illegal in the UK to rip a CD to transfer onto an mp3 player even though programs like iTunes offer that functionality.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.

The UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1998 is severly outdated, its still illegal in the UK to rip a CD to transfer onto an mp3 player even though programs like iTunes offer that functionality.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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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!)

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • AdGuard Family lifetime deal now only $14.97 by Steven Parker Today's highlighted Neowin Deal comes via our Apps + Software section, where you can get a lifetime subscription and save 91% on a lifetime AdGuard Family Plan. AdGuard is a unique program that has all the necessary features for what they claim to be "the best web experience." The software combines the an advanced ad blocker, a privacy protection module, and a parental control tool—all working in one app. This software deals with annoying ads, hides your data from a multitude of trackers, protects you from malware attacks, and even lets you restrict your kids from accessing inappropriate content. Install AdGuard and see the internet as it was supposed to be: clean and safe. Get rid of annoying banners, pop-ups & video ads once and for all Hide your data from the multitude of trackers & activity analyzers that swarm the web Avoid fraudulent and phishing website and malware attacks Protect your kids online by restricting them from accessing inappropriate & adult content Good to know Family Plan Length of access: lifetime This plan is only available to new users Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Max number of devices: 9 Access options: desktop & mobile Software version: AdGuard Family Updates included A lifetime subscription of AdGuard Family Plan normally costs $169.99, but this deal can be yours for just $14.97, that's a saving of $157.02. For full terms, specifications, and license info please click the link below. Get this AdGuard Family lifetime deal for just $14.97 (was $169.99) Although priced in U.S. dollars, this deal is available for digital purchase worldwide. As an online publication, Neowin too relies on ads for operating costs and, if you use an ad blocker, we'd appreciate being whitelisted. In addition, we have an ad-free subscription for $28 a year, which is another way to show support! Support queries If you have queries or need support for any of the Neowin Deals, please use the contact form here. Neowin Deals are managed and sold by StackCommerce who represent Neowin on an affiliate basis. Why we post these deals We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. So for those that keep moaning and complaining, be thankful we're still online for you to even do that. Other ways to support Neowin Whitelist Neowin by not blocking our ads Create a free member account to see fewer ads Make a donation to support our day to day running costs Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: Neowin benefits from revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site powered by StackCommerce.
    • Passkeys: Think of them like a broken heart necklace. Imagine one of those heart necklaces that breaks into two matching pieces. One person keeps one half, and the other person keeps the other half. With passkeys, the website has one half, and you have the other half. If the website gets hacked and someone steals its half, that stolen piece is useless by itself. It cannot unlock your account without your matching half. This particular heart necklace is one of a kind, there is only one in existence. Your half of the necklace has to be stored somewhere. It might be stored on your phone, tablet, computer, security key, or a password manager that can sync it between all your devices. A security key is a small physical device that you keep with you, kind of like a house key, car key, or flash drive. I would not usually recommend a security key as the first option for the average person. For most people, it is easier to use their phone, computer, or a password manager that can sync passkeys between their devices. A security key is more like a spare key you keep in a safe place, just in case you lose access to your other devices or your password manager. Some security keys plug into your computer. Some plug into your phone or tablet. Some get tapped against your device. The idea is simple: a security key can hold another passkey for the same website. Think of it like creating a second one-of-a-kind heart necklace for the same account. One necklace could be paired with your password manager, while another necklace could be paired with your security key. That means the website has more than one matching half on file. One half matches the passkey in your password manager. Another half matches the passkey stored on your security key. So, if you lose access to your phone, computer, or password manager, you would still be able to log in using the passkey stored on your security key. Think of it like keeping an extra special necklace piece on a tiny keychain, stored somewhere safe. The website still has the matching half for that security key, but your half is safely stored inside the little key. A passkey does not automatically exist on every device you own. It lives wherever you save it. If your half is stored on one device, then that device is the one that has the matching piece. For example, if you create the passkey on your Windows computer and it is only saved to that computer, your iPhone does not automatically have that same half. If you create it on your iPhone and it only stays on that iPhone, your Android phone does not automatically have it either. That is where password managers come in. A password manager can act like a protected jewelry box for your passkeys. Instead of your half of the necklace being locked to only one device, the password manager can securely sync that half to your other approved devices. For example, Apple Passwords and iCloud Keychain can sync passkeys between your Apple devices. Google Password Manager can sync passkeys with your Google account. But password managers such as 1Password and Bitwarden can sync passkeys between everything, your phones, tablets and computers. Now, you might ask: “What happens if I lose access to the device that has my passkey?” That depends on where your passkey was saved and what recovery options the website gives you. If your passkey was synced through a password manager, you may be able to sign in from another device that has access to that same password manager. For example, if your passkey is saved in iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, 1Password, or Bitwarden, another approved device may still have access to it. If your passkey was saved only on one phone, computer, or security key, and you lose that device, then you may not have your half of the necklace anymore. In that case, you would usually need to use the website’s backup login or account recovery options. A lot of websites that support passkeys still let you fall back to your regular password. So if you lose access to your passkey, the site may still let you log in with your password, a code sent to your email, a text message, a recovery code, or some other account recovery process. That is convenient, but it is also important to understand: if the website still allows password login, then your password still matters. Passkeys are safer than passwords, but if your account still has a password as a backup, you should still use a strong, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication if the website offers it. This is why it is a good idea to have more than one safe way back into important accounts. For example, you might keep your passkey in a syncing password manager, add a second trusted device, save recovery codes somewhere safe, or set up a backup security key. A passkey is very secure, but just like a real key, you need a backup plan in case you lose access to it. Now, you might ask: “What stops a hacker from copying my half of the necklace?” That’s the important part: your half is protected. It is not something you type in, and it is not something the website gets to keep. Think of your half as being locked inside a tiny safe on your phone, computer, security key, or password manager. That safe only opens when you approve it with your fingerprint, face, PIN, or device password. When you log in, the website does not need to see your half. It only needs proof that your half matches its half. Your actual half is not handed over to the website. This is different from a password. With a password, you type the secret into the website. If you type it into a fake website, the hacker now has it. With a passkey, you are not typing your secret into the website. Your device is proving you have the matching half without giving the half away. That also helps protect you from fake websites. If someone makes a fake login page that looks like the real site, your device can tell it is not the real match. It will not use your passkey there. Now, could someone use your passkey if they stole your device, got into your password manager, or somehow unlocked the safe that holds your half? Yes, that is why your device password, PIN, fingerprint, face unlock, and password manager security still matter. But a hacker cannot just steal your passkey from the website or trick you into typing it into a fake page like they can with a password. That is why passkeys are safer than passwords. The two matching pieces have to come together, like two lovebirds who were once separated and are finally reunited.
    • Newegg offers insane combo deal on Amazon Prime Day 2026 that beats Steam Machine by Sayan Sen Building a PC is undoubtedly difficult nowadays but with this epic combo deal, Newegg is trying to make it as easy for you as it is possible. If you are making a new one or even upgrading an old system to a new Windows 11 device, this combo bundle is truly unmissable as you get AMD's Ryzen 9800X3D, a compatible X870 motherboard, a 240mm AIO liquid cooler and finally a Samsung 990 PRO SSD all for under $1000 (purchase link under the specs table down below). This should beat out the newly launched Steam Machine from Valve in terms of performance and performance per dollar especially if you are willing to set Linux up on it. Essentially with this combo you will get the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core 3D V cache CPU, Samsung's 990 PRO 2TB NVMe SSD, the MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX Motherboard, and finally the Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240. Thanks to that massive vertically stacked L3 cache, the X3D desktop processors, including the 9800X3D, also come with the benefit of not needing fast memory. Even DDR5-5600 should be plenty for it. The technical specifications of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D are given in the table below: Specification Value Architecture Zen 5 Cores / Threads 8 / 16 Base Clock 4.7 GHz Max Boost Clock Up to 5.2 GHz L1 Cache 640 KB L2 Cache 8 MB L3 Cache 96 MB Total Cache 104 MB CPU Core Process TSMC 4nm FinFET I/O Die Process TSMC 6nm FinFET Socket AM5 Default TDP 120W Max Temperature (Tjmax) 95°C Thermal Solution Not included Memory Type DDR5 Max Capacity 256 GB Memory Speeds 2x1R: DDR5-5600 2x2R: DDR5-5600 4x1R: DDR5-3600 4x2R: DDR5-3600 PCIe Version PCIe 5.0 PCIe Lanes (Total/Usable) 28 / 24 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) 4 USB 2.0 1 Graphics Cores 2 CU RDNA 2 Frequency 2200 MHz DisplayPort over USB-C Yes Overclocking Unlocked Up next we have the tech specs for the MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard: Specification Value Chipset AMD X870 CPU Support AMD Ryzen 9000 / 8000 / 7000 Series Desktop Processors Socket AM5 Memory Slots 4 × DDR5 UDIMM Maximum Memory Capacity 256GB Memory Support DDR5 8400–5600 MT/s (OC), DDR5 5600–4800 MT/s (JEDEC) Integrated Graphics Outputs 1 × HDMI 2.1 FRL (up to 8K 60Hz) 2 × USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 (up to 4K 60Hz) Expansion Slots PCI_E1: PCIe 5.0 x16 (CPU) PCI_E2: PCIe 3.0 x1 (Chipset) PCI_E3: PCIe 4.0 x4 (Chipset) Audio Realtek ALC4080 Codec 7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio Supports up to 32-bit/384kHz playback on front panel S/PDIF output M.2 Slots 4 × M.2 M2_1: PCIe 5.0 x4 (CPU, 22110/2280) M2_2: PCIe 5.0 x4 (CPU, 2280/2260) M2_3: PCIe 4.0 x2 (Chipset, 2280/2260) M2_4: PCIe 4.0 x4 (Chipset, 2280/2260) SATA Ports 4 × SATA 6Gb/s RAID Support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices Rear USB Ports 4 × USB 2.0 3 × USB 5Gbps Type-A 2 × USB 10Gbps Type-A 1 × USB 10Gbps Type-C 2 × USB4 40Gbps Type-C Front USB Headers 4 × USB 2.0 4 × USB 5Gbps Type-A 1 × USB 20Gbps Type-C LAN Realtek 8126-CG 5G LAN Wireless Wi-Fi 7 (M.2 Key-E module pre-installed) Supports 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz bands Up to 5.8Gbps Supports 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.4, MLO, 4KQAM Internal Power Connectors 1 × 24-pin ATX Power 2 × CPU Power Connectors 1 × PCIe 8-pin Power Connector Fan Headers 1 × CPU Fan 1 × Combo Fan (Pump/System) 6 × System Fan RGB Headers 3 × Addressable V2 RGB (JARGB_V2) 1 × RGB LED (JRGB) Other Internal Headers 1 × EZ Conn-header 2 × Front Panel Headers 1 × Chassis Intrusion 1 × Front Audio 1 × TPM 2.0 Header Debug Features 4 × EZ Debug LEDs 1 × EZ Digit Debug LED Rear I/O Ports Clear CMOS Button Flash BIOS Button HDMI 2 × USB 40Gbps Type-C 1 × USB 10Gbps Type-C 4 × USB 10Gbps Type-A 3 × USB 5Gbps Type-A 4 × USB 2.0 5G LAN Port Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Antenna Connectors Audio Connectors Form Factor ATX The Samsung 990 PRO is a PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD and still one of the fastest drives available today for under $500. Speaking of fast, sequential reads and writes are rated at 7450 MB/s and 6900 MB/s, respectively. The random throughputs for reads and writes are 1400K IOPS and 1550K IOPS, respectively. The 990 PRO is based on Samsung's 7th Gen V-NAND flash, and it too is TLC. It packs 2 gigs of LPDDR4 DRAM cache, which helps the random performance. The endurance rating for this is 1200 TBW (terabytes written), which should be sufficient for most users. The Samsung 990 PRO is compatible with the PlayStation 5, but if you are going to use the 990 PRO on a PC, check out the Samsung Magician app that lets you track your drive's health, update its firmware, customize various settings, and more. The tech specs are given below: Specification Value Interface PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0 Form Factor M.2 2280 Controller Samsung In-house Controller NAND Flash 3D TLC DRAM Cache 2GB LPDDR4 Sequential Read (Max) 7,450 MB/s Sequential Write (Max) 6,900 MB/s Random Read (4K) Up to 1,400,000 IOPS Random Write (4K) Up to 1,550,000 IOPS TBW (Endurance) 1,200 TBW MTBF 1,500,000 hours Operating Temperature 0°C to 70°C Storage Temperature -40°C to 85°C Shock Resistance 1,500G / 0.5ms Heatsink No Get the combo deal at this link: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Samsung 990 PRO 2TB, MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard, Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240: $784.99 + $25 off with promo code FTTF77: $759.99 (Sold and Shipped by Newegg US) Good to know This Newegg deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • I heard from a lot of people that driver support for the latest games when RDNA first came out (Radeon 5000 series) was pretty bad, but if you didn't buy the card on day one, or were not trying to play the latest titles, then you were isolated from that issue. Other than that, it's been good and only getting better.
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Month Later
      timbobit earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      nates earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Almohandis earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Rookie
      dorf went up a rank
      Rookie
    • First Post
      mike_rumble earned a badge
      First Post
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      469
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      165
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      104
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      87
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      71
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!