Experiment

[ridinshotgun]

I will burn this place to the ******** ground if you don't turn it off immediately.

I got the matches for your gasoline.  I am out until it is gone.

[k27463]

I already had Railwire whitelisted, but apparently whatever filters I'm using aren't happy unless I turn uBlock off -globally-.

Are we only running Google ads or something else?

[chicken45]

I got the matches for your gasoline.  I am out until it is gone.

I don't understand why it's such a big deal. The ads aren't intrusive at all. What's the actual problem?

[milw12]

I'd say it's less about the ads and more about the "analytics" and trackers that come with the territory. I could care less about the ads, it's google "personalizing" my internet experience that's bothersome.

As for paid memberships: if it happens it should be anonymous. The last thing we need is a reason to create a false sense of status and entitlement. Not that it would be a problem with the majority of users but with some recent issues we've had it could be a problem.

"Well see, if you paid to support this site like myself, your opinion would hold more value  " etc etc. This isn't a country club, it's an online forum.

[tom mann]

I have received far too much hate mail over this, so the experiment is over. The next experiment will be a half Ed K/half goat hybrid!

[Dave V]

The next experiment will be a half Ed K/half goat hybrid!

Wait, so...  Ed K isn't already half goat?   

[C855B]

I'd say it's less about the ads and more about the "analytics" and trackers that come with the territory. I could care less about the ads, it's google "personalizing" my internet experience that's bothersome. ...

Q. F. T.

Oh, it's no longer just about the "internet experience", it's way past that now. The analytics are a key part of the composite feed that forms your digital profile. This dossier, maintained by Google, Amazon and dozens of anonymous data accumulators and brokers, determines things like your secret "consumer score" - similar to a credit score, but it directly affects how you are treated as a customer (or prospect) in person, by phone or online. Or your employment, or consideration to be employed. When you drill down into it, it's vicious stuff.

I have received far too much hate mail over this, so the experiment is over. ...

Thank you, but no surprise. I'm fully sympathetic, but there's got to be a better solution.

[eja]

I have received far too much hate mail over this, so the experiment is over. The next experiment will be a half Ed K/half goat hybrid!

Sorry to hear you received hate mail - that is uncalled for.

My dislike is related to having to turn the add blockers off on individual sites.  I prefer to have the same level of protection at all web sites - thus not having to worry if a site has ads that include malware embedded in them.

If it is a necessity, I would be willing to pay a modest fee for access.  I also try to help by using the Amazon tab when I shop there.

ed

[peteski]

Wait, so...  Ed K isn't already half goat?   

No, he was half alpaca. 

[Bangorboy]

I always thought it was PEBKAC. 

The preference between PEBKAC and PIBKAC (or is it PEBCAK and PIBCAK?) resides BKAC.

[jagged ben]

@tom mann and all...

 So in Firefox 69 (not using extensions, just the native 'Content blocking') I'm not able to readily figure out how to separate ad-blocking from tracking.  Perhaps that's because there are tracking features embedded in the ads used.    I was a bit surprised to realize that I'd turned off content blocking for TRW.  (I have it on by default for all other sites.)  Perhaps that was in response to some past request that I've forgotten, or was a personal choice   But since I can't really remember that, and was surprised at the sheer number of tracking cookies that were displayed, I turned back on content blocking.  And the ads disappeared.

The point is:  I'm willing to look at ads in the format I've seen (i.e. the non-pop up, not content covering, not animated) as long as there isn't tracking.  Hopefully that's something you still get paid for.   If you wanna tell me how this is possible I'll listen.

(Now if I can also figure out which non-TRW site that I've whitelisted keeps setting a cookie for Trainboard...    )

[Chris333]

The Trainboard cookie might be because of my avatar. Well not avatar, the "Model Railroading is Fun" in my sig.

[nkalanaga]

Petski:  I've seen both PIBKAC and PEBKAC.  It's basically a matter of choice, with the second word either "Is" or "Exists".  Same meaning either way. 

Of course, I assume you already knew that, but some readers might not have encountered the terms!

[sirenwerks]

Does this have anything to do with the "your pop-ups are off" messages I have been getting when I try to visit at work (but not at home)?

[Simon D.]

Here in the UK the N Gauge Forum https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk, uses ads and voluntary subscriptions (see top right of the home page), very occasionally asking for a little more if there is need for a major upgrade or similar.  Ads are mostly small suppliers.  Works well - this is a busy forum.

The, er, 'other' N scale forum, also had this debate a while ago.

Simon