I love how Jim's humble position of respect and understanding is instantly undermined by the moderators. I had no idea what the rules were regarding this topic but I am not the least bit surprised. Hypothetically speaking, if Jim had convinced me of anything it would have been immediately undone upon viewing the comments and seeing how people are treated here.dyre said:Looks like the mods are out in force for this thread. What vigilant guardians of the community you all are! I'm sure the act of banning people for admitting to using Adblock has drastically decreased the number of Adblock users on your site
Jimquisition: The Adblock Episode
- Thread starter Jimothy Sterling
- Start date
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Do content creators in turn allow all ads to play on their recording devices for TV or on video discs without fast-forwarding or skipping them?
Also, I've been on the internet since the mid 90's and I can honestly say I have never intentionally clicked on an ad. Ever. Does the mere act of me seeing it with my eyes register on the websites that give creators money?
Also, I've been on the internet since the mid 90's and I can honestly say I have never intentionally clicked on an ad. Ever. Does the mere act of me seeing it with my eyes register on the websites that give creators money?
Why does this situation feel like this Escapist blow-up is turning microcosmic of issues in the game industry? Game companies largely ignoring their customer bases to serve shareholders, Escapist staff largely deterring their community to serve[footnote]After several pages of browsing and hawt mod action, I don't know how else to put it... Really, what pull do you have in these ad deals, Escapist???[/footnote] their ad companies...Solo-Wing said:
I almost feel less welcome here. I come here to have mind for the content, and by extention the content creators, but if their minds are on ad revenues?
...Should I show myself out?
Perhaps I'm still under delusion, but I still see the Escapist as a community. I would like to hear from some other leaders on the site on this issue (currently browsing Podcats). Clearly. Even just making the line-drawing statement that, as Squintsalot put it, 'we want more money, watch our ads' would be at least clarifying.
Sure, I'll whitelist Escapist, fair enough. But, just so you know, if I get a single annoying popup or advertisement that goes out of its way to annoy me by gouging me with a sound bite or something, that whitelist entry is going away. (If it comes down to that, I still like to pay content producers who make stuff I like, so maybe I'll opt for the $20 subscription or something, instead.)
You didn't have to twist my arm much... I pretty much just forgot about the fact I was running ABP and NoScript and this would affect The Escapist. I'm not targeting anyone, certainly not Jim Sterling, certainly not The Escapist. Rather, I feel forced to use these plugins because some advertisers, somewhere on the Internet, have absolutely no scruples, and it's no exaggeration to say I risk loading my computer down with spyware or having my browsing experience disrupted by advertisement methods that border on hijacking (and sometimes literally are hijacking). It's a shame that good sites like The Escapist end up on the blacklist by default because I have a pretty good reason to feel like I need to protect myself from the Internet in general.
There aught to be a law; pass a law that we can find these jerks who think spyware and hijacking is okay in the name of advertising, then fund enough enforcement to hunt them across international borders, and jail them. Then, and only then, will the world be a place in which I can disable ABP and NoScript entirely for all the sites I browse on in the Internet.
You didn't have to twist my arm much... I pretty much just forgot about the fact I was running ABP and NoScript and this would affect The Escapist. I'm not targeting anyone, certainly not Jim Sterling, certainly not The Escapist. Rather, I feel forced to use these plugins because some advertisers, somewhere on the Internet, have absolutely no scruples, and it's no exaggeration to say I risk loading my computer down with spyware or having my browsing experience disrupted by advertisement methods that border on hijacking (and sometimes literally are hijacking). It's a shame that good sites like The Escapist end up on the blacklist by default because I have a pretty good reason to feel like I need to protect myself from the Internet in general.
There aught to be a law; pass a law that we can find these jerks who think spyware and hijacking is okay in the name of advertising, then fund enough enforcement to hunt them across international borders, and jail them. Then, and only then, will the world be a place in which I can disable ABP and NoScript entirely for all the sites I browse on in the Internet.
If your site has adds that are popups or auto-play music at me I will add-block the site.
I used to add-block the Escapist 4 or so months ago but then I realized that doing so results in stuff getting pulled.
There's a fine line between unintrusive adds and revenue but it isn't my job to walk that line - it's the Escapist's.
I used to add-block the Escapist 4 or so months ago but then I realized that doing so results in stuff getting pulled.
There's a fine line between unintrusive adds and revenue but it isn't my job to walk that line - it's the Escapist's.
Oh, hey, I had adblock installed to block some elements on a different website that were crashing my browser. Didn't realize it was actually also blocking stuff on the Escapist.
Whoopsadoodle.
And now I've seen that Jeep ad that people are complaining about. Jegus. Could turn it back on... but I figure I watch enough stuff over here that it's time to Pub Club.
EDIT: And now a Pub Club member for a year.
Whoopsadoodle.
And now I've seen that Jeep ad that people are complaining about. Jegus. Could turn it back on... but I figure I watch enough stuff over here that it's time to Pub Club.
EDIT: And now a Pub Club member for a year.
This video reminded me that you can pay a $20 yearly sub to Escapist for an ad free experience which I now do. Well worth it IMHO and I get to support instead of mooch. Escapist should bring more attention to that site feature.
You make a lot of good and valid points Jim, and I am so glad you came at this from a considerate angle.
It's just unfortunate that some of the worst ads you mentioned, the escapist run. I wouldn't dare take my adblock of as my laptop is pretty temperamental as it is, and I don't want to run the risk of major crashes, or even need of repairs, in order to go through that level of pain just to make sure you get the extra 10p (or however much it is) from just me watching adds.
That said, two years ago I actually won free membership for 3 months, before I had adblock, and the difference was astounding. While I had never properly thought about it before now (almost every other content creator I've seen has just gone "Urrr, adblock is bad and you are a bad person for using it, get off my channel", which turns me off the point entirely, not make me want to disable adblock.), I can say I actually am probably going to get some publishers club sub again, and pay for it this time. I would do it here and now, but as it stands, I've actually been subject to internet fraud, cleaning out my bank account (I have no idea how they got my details, for all I know it could even be adds with viruses in them that did it). I'm resolving that issue, but once that is done, I will try and get me some subscription ASAP.
Because honestly Jim, I think you are the most important personality on the internet as of now. The only one who not only is willing to grapple the hard and important topics, but does so with gusto because you know it's right. I can remember watching the first episode of the Jimquisition here when you first arrived, and giving you maybe 2 months before I expected you to go away. You were frankly awful. But over the years you've grown into something that not only I feel everyone can enjoy, but something we all need now. And I do say with no level of irony, Thank god for Jim Sterling.
It's just unfortunate that some of the worst ads you mentioned, the escapist run. I wouldn't dare take my adblock of as my laptop is pretty temperamental as it is, and I don't want to run the risk of major crashes, or even need of repairs, in order to go through that level of pain just to make sure you get the extra 10p (or however much it is) from just me watching adds.
That said, two years ago I actually won free membership for 3 months, before I had adblock, and the difference was astounding. While I had never properly thought about it before now (almost every other content creator I've seen has just gone "Urrr, adblock is bad and you are a bad person for using it, get off my channel", which turns me off the point entirely, not make me want to disable adblock.), I can say I actually am probably going to get some publishers club sub again, and pay for it this time. I would do it here and now, but as it stands, I've actually been subject to internet fraud, cleaning out my bank account (I have no idea how they got my details, for all I know it could even be adds with viruses in them that did it). I'm resolving that issue, but once that is done, I will try and get me some subscription ASAP.
Because honestly Jim, I think you are the most important personality on the internet as of now. The only one who not only is willing to grapple the hard and important topics, but does so with gusto because you know it's right. I can remember watching the first episode of the Jimquisition here when you first arrived, and giving you maybe 2 months before I expected you to go away. You were frankly awful. But over the years you've grown into something that not only I feel everyone can enjoy, but something we all need now. And I do say with no level of irony, Thank god for Jim Sterling.
Why does it feel like Jim set up a trap "that which shall not be named" for anyone using said thing that shall not be discussed? Calling it now Jim just went full SIINNDRRIII on us to flush out any users of said rule breaking offense. Well played Jim well played.
...I was expecting a shitstorm, but this...
Anyway, I just thought it was funny... I've been getting weird bugs with the ads on this site (for the record, I grin and bear it. Them's the rules. I do, however, try to avoid coming here while running Windows. Linux is pretty fireproof to adware), and on this of all videos I got simultaneous playback of the Jeep ad and the anime ad... which crashed Flash player and needed to be reloaded.
Still, you guys are doing better in that department than Viacom.
Anyway, I just thought it was funny... I've been getting weird bugs with the ads on this site (for the record, I grin and bear it. Them's the rules. I do, however, try to avoid coming here while running Windows. Linux is pretty fireproof to adware), and on this of all videos I got simultaneous playback of the Jeep ad and the anime ad... which crashed Flash player and needed to be reloaded.
Still, you guys are doing better in that department than Viacom.
You get used to it.Squintsalot said:
I makes you wonder why they have even kept this thread up. The sensible thing would be to just take this thread down and save everyone the trouble of what's happened here.WeepingAngels said:
That's not even the main reason. It's because "advertisers don't like people using adblock".dyre said:Looks like the mods are out in force for this thread. What vigilant guardians of the community you all are! I'm sure the act of banning people for admitting to using Adblock has drastically decreased the number of Adblock users on your site
So this naturally leads me to imagine an advertising executive watching this thread intently while rubbing their hands with glee at all the warnings people have got here.
Looks that way. Either Sterling lied or the admins lied to him. Given what I've been seeing on the site as of late either is extremely likely.Greyknight1024 said:
In a perfect world, ads would be unobtrusive and wouldn't spread harmful viruses like Malware.
But this isn't a perfect world, and so long as issues like these persist, people will still use adblock. It's a shame, but a few bad apples spoil the bunch, and instead of passing the blame off on the consumers for protecting their shit, the more logical solution would be to step back and create ads that don't fucking suck.
Here's [https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100306/1649198451.shtml] a great article about this very thing.
[sub]And I think it goes without saying, but I'm not condoning ABP at all. Probably didn't have to specify this, but you never know.[/sub]
But this isn't a perfect world, and so long as issues like these persist, people will still use adblock. It's a shame, but a few bad apples spoil the bunch, and instead of passing the blame off on the consumers for protecting their shit, the more logical solution would be to step back and create ads that don't fucking suck.
Here's [https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100306/1649198451.shtml] a great article about this very thing.
[sub]And I think it goes without saying, but I'm not condoning ABP at all. Probably didn't have to specify this, but you never know.[/sub]
Jim, you remain a class act all the way. I hope that this video increases the number of viewers who do watch with ads, and put up with them for you and The Escapist.
Comic reviewer/personality Linkara did a video asking people to let the ads play, too. It increased the number of people who counted for advert purposes, so it did him some good. And both of you asked in a way that came off as kind.
Piggybacking off the concept of this video, I really wish advertisers would meet us halfway. Or the people who run the ad services, or whoever. Loud, annoying ads that pop up or scream at you or block key functions of the website exist, as to ones that hang your browser. I've had problems with my whole system hanging when some ads roll. Blip's service would leave me stuck in infinite ad-loop and sometimes their "skip" button won't work.
I know that there will always be people who block ads, and you can't really stop that per se. I just think there'd be fewer if the ads themselves were less....Problematic. I'd rather not watch ads on online videos, but I understand this is the price of such a service and I don't really mind. I just wish they'd make it more tolerable to do so.
Comic reviewer/personality Linkara did a video asking people to let the ads play, too. It increased the number of people who counted for advert purposes, so it did him some good. And both of you asked in a way that came off as kind.
Piggybacking off the concept of this video, I really wish advertisers would meet us halfway. Or the people who run the ad services, or whoever. Loud, annoying ads that pop up or scream at you or block key functions of the website exist, as to ones that hang your browser. I've had problems with my whole system hanging when some ads roll. Blip's service would leave me stuck in infinite ad-loop and sometimes their "skip" button won't work.
I know that there will always be people who block ads, and you can't really stop that per se. I just think there'd be fewer if the ads themselves were less....Problematic. I'd rather not watch ads on online videos, but I understand this is the price of such a service and I don't really mind. I just wish they'd make it more tolerable to do so.
"The more you adblock the worse the ads actually get"
That's not how it works Jim, that's a cyclical problem because the worse the ads are the more people are blocking their ads. Adblock usage is specifically tied to the level of user annoyance. Eventually the advertisers are going to annoy everyone and they won't have an audience. Adblock will become like Anti-Virus programs on Windows.
P.S. As an example I have never bought anything advertised by one of those horrible talking banner ads and would avoid any service mentioned on them like the plague.
That's not how it works Jim, that's a cyclical problem because the worse the ads are the more people are blocking their ads. Adblock usage is specifically tied to the level of user annoyance. Eventually the advertisers are going to annoy everyone and they won't have an audience. Adblock will become like Anti-Virus programs on Windows.
P.S. As an example I have never bought anything advertised by one of those horrible talking banner ads and would avoid any service mentioned on them like the plague.
I do not block ads as I wish to support many sites like the Escapist and content creators like Jim Sterling here. Because in all honesty, if I were in his shoes I'd like to make a living doing what he does too. I know I'm working on producing Let's Play videos and the like which I post to YouTube and with the help of advertising, I could continue to support making those videos.
The ads aren't really too big of an inconvenience. Ads that stream in a video for example, I treat it like I would watching something on TV, mute the audio, or take the opportunity to get up and grab a snack or use the bathroom, whatever.
Bottom line, ads really aren't that bad as some folks wish to claim, but they can get worse if people keep blocking them. Above all though, I'd like to see content creators like Jim Sterling continue to be supported as I like what he does and I wish I could do it too.
Thank God for you Jim.
The ads aren't really too big of an inconvenience. Ads that stream in a video for example, I treat it like I would watching something on TV, mute the audio, or take the opportunity to get up and grab a snack or use the bathroom, whatever.
Bottom line, ads really aren't that bad as some folks wish to claim, but they can get worse if people keep blocking them. Above all though, I'd like to see content creators like Jim Sterling continue to be supported as I like what he does and I wish I could do it too.
Thank God for you Jim.
I Adblock. My problem is the 'targeted' ads conspire to make me feel bad about my hobby in general, as well as the constant repetition and lack of variety in video ads.
Right after a Jimquisition or ZP is uploaded traffic spikes and streams could fail multiple times, I find myself watching the same garbage ads back to back.
I'm still feeling PTSD from those horrible Facebook Home ads with that self-absorbed c*** at the museum that were running for a month straight on this site.
Then again, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, I'll put some thought into the subscription service, this video was kind of an eye opener.
EDIT: Subscribed, probably the first impulse buy I made in months. Hope you're happy. I'll see if the higher quality videos are worth it later.
Right after a Jimquisition or ZP is uploaded traffic spikes and streams could fail multiple times, I find myself watching the same garbage ads back to back.
I'm still feeling PTSD from those horrible Facebook Home ads with that self-absorbed c*** at the museum that were running for a month straight on this site.
Then again, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, I'll put some thought into the subscription service, this video was kind of an eye opener.
EDIT: Subscribed, probably the first impulse buy I made in months. Hope you're happy. I'll see if the higher quality videos are worth it later.