Ads appearing anyway

[Alzrius]

I recently cleared out my cache of temporary internet files, and now EN World is displaying differently. I checked my profile, and it's still set to having the ads along the side of the page not be visible - and yet, they're showing up anyway.

Moreover, although I'm still logged in, most of the basic information for easy navigation isn't being displayed along the top of the page. I can't, for example, see the links to this forum above the text window, nor the option to search the forums.

What's going on and how do I fix it? I've already tried logging out and back in, but it's no use.

 

[Merkuri]

You sound like you're having a similar problem to this: http://www.enworld.org/forum/meta/248446-suddenly-there-script-error.html

What browser are you using? Is it IE6 as well?

 

[Alzrius]

I'm using Firefox 3, myself.

In the last few hours, the good news is that the missing navigation links at the top of the screen have all reappeared, which is good.

However, I'm still getting notices on the right side of the screen. Looking them over, they're not ads per se, but are "Visit Our Sponsors," "Popular Tags" "Recent Blogs" and "Reviews." None of these were there before, but can't be gotten rid of now. The exception is on the main forum page; they don't appear there.

 

[Morrus]

This thread.

 

[CapnZapp]

Adblock Plus & Flashblock is your friend.

Assuming you're using Firefox, that is.

 

[Morrus]

Adblock Plus & Flashblock is your friend.

Assuming you're using Firefox, that is.

If you're not a Community Supporter, that would be extraordinarily rude (especially since we sell the ad-free version); it's not much to ask for free use of the site - let us get our few ad impressions from you each day so that we can afford to run the site for you.

It's probably even worse to advertise that you're doing it.

 

[Michael Morris]

Adblock Plus & Flashblock is your friend.

Assuming you're using Firefox, that is.

Adblockers can be blocked and it's not that hard either.

 

[CapnZapp]

Sorry, what did I miss here?!

Me being rude for using the great functionality offered by Firefox plug-ins, which was the sole reason for me switching away from IE a few years ago?

Let me be clear: I'm a proud user of adblock and flashblock. They're great products that put the power firmly where it belongs: in the hands of the consumer. I see nothing controversial in this whatsoever.

I have nothing against your site, Mr Morris. In fact, I appreciate it very much.

But I wouldn't dream of stopping all the nasty popups, ads and blinking stuff surfing generally attracts (from elsewhere, not here) just because I happen to visit your particular site.

Of course, you're free to try to circumvent these programs. But 1) I understand it is hard to do, 2) easily side-stepped by new versions of the program, and much more importantly: 3) you're only annoying the segment of your user-base that's likely to either stay away or only become annoyed at ads anyway. That is, the segment of users for which the value of ad impressions is very low anyway.

Obviously I hope you can see this from the consumer's POV, and thus see these programs for the great functionality they represent.

But at the least, I hope we can agree to disagree while still respecting each other. You're certainly the first person I've encountered that calls running adblocker rude, or more specifically, calls me rude for running these essential plug-ins, which I'll admit shocks me a little bit.

As for becoming a community supporter, I've considered it. (Have really only started playing D&D and 4E "for real" again a month ago; before that I mainly frequented rpg.net where I indeed signed up some time ago). Let's discuss this first, obviously.


Best Regards
Zapp

PS. If there's some sort of policy against users running blockers, I've missed it. (I'll freely admit I haven't looked, mainly because I never dreamt there could be one). In fact, if you have it (and are, say, about to block me) you need to draw much more attention to it for users in general. But what can I say - I would strongly advise against alienating what probably amounts to a significant part of your userbase.
PPS. Feel free to take this to PM and I'm fully willing to discuss this further, also divulging my real name. The above opinions are real, and not "just some anon user's".

 

[Michael Morris]

First off, it isn't my site.

Second off, using an adblocker is stealing bandwidth from the site operator since you are cutting off their ability to pay for the bandwidth you are using.

Third, if the problem continues to grow there are ways to stop adblock plugins. Most all of them are far more intrusive and obnoxious than the ads are in their current state. Given the choice between using them and going out of business, most site owners will reluctantly choose to use them.

Fourth, where I'm from theft is rude. Bragging about doing it doubly so.

 

[CapnZapp]

Thanks for your reply,

#1: Sorry, my mistake.
#2: False in so many ways. If anything, blocking ads is saving bandwidth. Your argument is the same as saying blind people steal from TV networks, because they don't see the ads. No, this isn't me dragging in a crude and offensive analogy. This is literally the result of having your position.
#3: As long as you or I own and control our own computers, any and all efforts to force-feed consumers ads will fail. Period. And happily we are (still) some way away from a society where individuals are obliged to watch commercial messages, such as if only sealed surf boxes are allowed on the internet...
#4: I agree. Luckily I am not a thief in any way, form or shape. Neither legally, nor morally.

I understand this isn't the right forum for this discussion, so I'll simply express my best wishes you will see the complete and utter untenability of your position some day.

Until then, back to the games we both love!