Blocking ads... Against the rules?

vovan · February 24, 2003, 20:39

I was just curious if there was some kind of rule against blocking ads here on 'Poly. I am using the default style, and don't mind the banners - hell, I even click them every so often to give 'Poly an extra cent or two - but I cannot stand the popups. Thus, I block them.

Now, I was engaging in a couple of discussions over on HeavenGames forums, and in one of my posts, I mentioned the fact that I block popups. I was immediately told by an Admin, that they don't appreciate that, and was presented with a quote from the user agreement, which specifically bound the users to avoid blocking the popups.

Now, I would like to be quite frank - I, like most of the people, I suspect, don't read user agreements, assuming that they just tell you common-sense stuff about not posting flames, trolls, etc.. 'Poly wasn't an exception.

Then again, it's been a long time since I registered.

Sooo, since I couldn't find a user agreement here, I was wondering if we have some hideous rule like that?

H Tower · February 24, 2003, 20:47

while the admins don't like it, they can't really do much about it.

maybe if you use a pop up killer instead of blocker you could have the best of both worlds?

vovan · February 24, 2003, 20:48

Well, it is technically speaking a popup killer. But it doesn't really do any good, since the popups need to remain open for several seconds to generate any income...

Zopperoni · February 24, 2003, 20:49

I don't think so, it is absolutely ridiculous to ask for such a thing.

Rasbelin · February 24, 2003, 21:25

Pop-ups? What's that?

I don't encounter with pop-ups in Mozilla and I intend to keep it that way, so a change in the user agreement wouldn't change it either.

Skanky Burns · February 24, 2003, 22:19

I don't see how they could stop you, or even detect that you were blocking popups.

Regarding banners, I don't think Apolyton gets any money from them - even if you click on them - unless you then proceed to buy something from whatever site it takes you to. Popups on the other hand make money for Apolyton just by being allowed to exist for a while.
IIRC.

vovan · February 24, 2003, 22:50

If I am not mistaken, that is only the case for Apolyton Store ads, and some others. But not all of the banners. From the FAQ:

- RealMedia ads
A recent(end of August 2002) addition. 468x60 ads shown on the top of all pages for visitors coming from the US. Run by 24/7 Real Media. Both the number of times they are shown(adviews) and the percentage of people who click on them(CTR-Click Through Ratio) matter to us.

So, unless that information is outdated, that should matter.

I hope it does, any way, since I don't want to be a complete bastard and deny any revenue to 'Poly, yet at the same time I just hate popups.

Rasbelin · February 24, 2003, 22:54

You're right, Skanky.

However the stuff adverted by the pop-ups are more like redundant for me; either it's so targeted for North American viewers or the adverted products/services are crappy or needless. Mortage and credit card consulting? Online gambling? "Free" prizes? Bollocks, I'm quite sure those can't be profitable, unless most of us are stupid enough and get hooked.

Frozzy · February 25, 2003, 03:11

Well... I don't use a pop-up blocker. My Super-Doopa-Funkified-Hypawonga-Aren'tIusingtoomanysuperlativesinthisexaggeration MoO3 style takes care of all pop-ups

Speaking of which... Markos, can you give specific details to the differences in styles?

MarkG · February 25, 2003, 03:15

we do not having anything in our user agreement against blocking ads

we do not do anything to stop people frm using popup blockers(even though we can)

i guess we're stupid....

MarkG · February 25, 2003, 03:42

can you give specific details to the differences in styles?

there will be some changes in the ads during this week(without any intent to increase the number of pop-ups served). the faq will be updated accordingly

DrSpike · February 25, 2003, 05:14

Originally posted by MarkG
we do not having anything in our user agreement against blocking ads

we do not do anything to stop people frm using popup blockers(even though we can)

i guess we're stupid....

I think many posters will put up with the popups if they know that by doing so they are supporting the site........perhaps you should make that more widely known.

MarkG · February 25, 2003, 05:20

Originally posted by DrSpike
I think many posters will put up with the popups if they know that by doing so they are supporting the site........perhaps you should make that more widely known.

why else would we put up popups if not to support the site? cause we're evil?

DrSpike · February 25, 2003, 05:28

Well the point is it might not be obvious to all that the site gets no money if the popup is blocked. I did not know for sure, and I did not know how long it had to open if you manually close them.

Skanky Burns · February 25, 2003, 05:33

Originally posted by Frozzy
My Super-Doopa-Funkified-Hypawonga-Aren'tIusingtoomanysuperlativesinthisexaggeration

Thats the bit (in bold) that my eyes noticed first.

Originally posted by MarkG
we do not do anything to stop people frm using popup blockers(even though we can)

Out of curiosity, what can you do?
For the record, I allow popups (from 'Poly anyway) as I want to support the site.
That, and I hate banners.

Unspeakable Horror · February 25, 2003, 07:26

we do not do anything to stop people frm using popup blockers(even though we can)

That makes me feel guilty, ok... I´m no longer blocking Poly ads. Happy now?

Zopperoni · February 25, 2003, 07:28

Originally posted by MarkG
why else would we put up popups if not to support the site? cause we're evil?

Yes, evil and stupid

Seriously, it's unfair to restrict people for blocking popups, because Apolyton isn't the only site people visit.
I visit numerous other sites where there are more popups than here at Poly (e.g. Utopia, Andr, SR), and I'm not gonna toggle my blocker on and off all the time...

MarkG · February 25, 2003, 07:34

Originally posted by Carlos113
That makes me feel guilty, ok... I´m no longer blocking Poly ads. Happy now?

thank you for not being a... negative user of our site

MarkG · February 25, 2003, 07:36

Originally posted by Zopperoni
Seriously, it's unfair to restrict people for blocking popups, because Apolyton isn't the only site people visit.
I visit numerous other sites where there are more popups than here at Poly (e.g. Utopia, Andr, SR), and I'm not gonna toggle my blocker on and off all the time...

so because you like to visit all this porn sites we have to go broke?

DrSpike · February 25, 2003, 07:37

Originally posted by MarkG
so because you like to visit all this porn sites we have to go broke?

Unspeakable Horror · February 25, 2003, 08:10

Zopperoni · February 25, 2003, 08:36

Originally posted by MarkG
so because you like to visit all this porn sites we have to go broke?

Yes

mrmitchell · February 25, 2003, 09:40

Really though, I like Poly, but I hate ads. What a dillema.

DarkCloud · February 25, 2003, 15:06

Mr mitchell- if the popups are annoying just switch to ultra special... I like helping apolyton but when I'm on default I receive about 2 popups for every link I click on due to some strange bug... but Ultra Special worked for me- and it can work for you too

St Leo · February 25, 2003, 16:17

What Apolyton could be doing to all thieves like me.

Abdul-Aziz · February 25, 2003, 16:50

Alway s read end-user agreements!!! What if there are written something like "admin has a right to stalk you from now on, give your e-mail to all available advertising companies, hack your website, spam you, give your info to mafia, rape you, kill you. By joining these forums you automatically agree with this agreement"???

Solver · February 25, 2003, 17:01

Abdul, how many times have you read the agreements for software that you have bought in stores or downloaded online? Although yes, theoretically, you are right.

Abdul-Aziz · February 25, 2003, 17:53

Well, actually, only a few times :-) . This was more like a joke than realistic post.

BTW, why are you using Israeli flag if you don't live in Israel (as your location shows)? There are (more than) enough Jews here to bare that flag... (I am also not from Saudi Arabia actually, but I use flag since there is nobody from Saudi Arabia. Also, Saudi Arabia is quite a normal state, while Israel commits genocide...)

Ben Kenobi · February 25, 2003, 18:34

And some people are from Bhutan..

It's just a matter of personal preference which flag some people like to fly.

And some just like to be the highest poster for that country.

mrmitchell · February 25, 2003, 21:21

Ey! Abdul! Take ME talk to OT!
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DarkCloud--I'm too lazy to switch styles, and this style is fine with me anyways. Hell, I don't even know what style I'm using...