To Moderators and Administrators

[Happyrick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodak I use Firefox with Adblock and never see any ads.

+1

[Amethyst]

I seem to be good at tuning out ads. I wasn't really noticing that the site has ads, until I read this thread. I see several ads for banks, which kind of shoots the "it's what you searched for last" idea out of the water, since I never search for banks!

Amethyst

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst I seem to be good at tuning out ads. I wasn't really noticing that the site has ads, until I read this thread. I see several ads for banks, which kind of shoots the "it's what you searched for last" idea out of the water, since I never search for banks! Amethyst

As Janet described above, Google uses a number of inputs to tailor your ads. What you may have searched for last is only one input. The fact you are currently browsing a financial site is enough to trigger all sorts of bank related advertisements.

Just for laughs, try doing a few Google searches on something out of the ordinary - like 'cast iron dutch ovens' - to see what happens.

[arky]

I guess I'm lucky, I use Safari on an old Mac and never see any pop up ads. Only the embedded ones (along the right margin) from Fidelity, etc.

[Sirka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodak I use Firefox with Adblock and never see any ads.

+1
I also use AdBlock with Chrome.

[Janet H]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Just for laughs, try doing a few Google searches on something out of the ordinary - like 'cast iron dutch ovens' - to see what happens.

Um.. now why is that out of the ordinary?

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet H Um.. now why is that out of the ordinary?

Are you trying to tell us you're Dutch?

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Are you trying to tell us you're Dutch?

Either that or she's cast iron.

[target2019]

Ad blocker will do the trick.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by obgyn65 This morning I saw on this website a sponsor link saying "Senator Rand Paul : sign the petition Obama fears". We are reminded by moderators not to write anything political in our posts, but sponsor links apparently are. Please can you explain why ? Thank you, Ob

While you're tilting at that windmill, as a dozen other posters have suggested: you really need to install an ad blocker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack I think issues with Mods & Admins are better raised via PM or Report...

Once a moderator stamps out all the issues of spam, porn, & trolls (not necessarily in that order), things get pretty quiet. At some point it can get so quiet that the mod staff is tempted to overreact to what would normally be lost in the grass among the spam, porn, & trolls.

I favor open & transparent moderation just so that the board's posters can help keep a sense of perspective. For example, public moderation and even public banning sends a very clear signal to those who keep dancing across the border of appropriate behavior.

Besides, if the mods are proud of what they're doing then they don't mind who sees it.

[obgyn65]

Thank you, Bestwifeever. Interesting, I did not know there were "owners" of this site. Who are they ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestwifeever Perhaps the owners of the site will respond to your comment, Obgyn. Hard to believe, I know, but the mods and admins are powerless before Google. (Right now I'm seeing ads only for "financial advisors.")

[obgyn65]

Very good questions, donheff. I hope we get answers. Again, I do not want to start a problem but I would like to understand a bit more about this website which I have enjoyed reading and participating in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by donheff But back to the no filter on ads question - if there is no filter why don't we have porn ads? Or is the filter imposed at a higher level that the forum owners don't have access to?

[obgyn65]

I do not mind getting commercial ads for a phone or financial services. But I do mind getting political ads on a website where we are regularly told not to post anything political.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Proud Like others have said, I think this is based on your searches...

[obgyn65]

Imbedded ads, on the right side of the screen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronocnikral is it the pop ups or the actual imbedded ads on the page?

[obgyn65]

Hello Midpack

Well I see the ads, like many others do.

I don't mind commercial ads.

I would agree with you that the Mods do a great job. Thank you Mods !

I did not PM any Mod because I think the "Rand Paul" ad matter might be best answered by the community rather than one Mod. Do we want political ads here ? My vote is "no", for reasons of fairness among all of us, participants, as well as third parties.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack I don't even "see" the ads here anymore, easy to ignore IMO. There's less spam and other nonsense on this site than other (high traffic) forums I participate in. While Mods have spanked me a few times, they were within their rights IMO in that I could see in retrospect how what could be read into my post and what I intended might be different. When I think of all the posts and all the gray areas were make them evaluate, I'd say they do a stellar job. I've been on other forums that were ruined by well-intended loose Mods, and I have seen other sites that are moderated with such a heavy hand it also ruins the exchange. I'd say the balance is great here all considered. I think issues with Mods & Admins are better raised via PM or Report... My 2¢, no more, no less...

[obgyn65]

Hello Janet. I am sorry if my point was not clear in my post. I do not mind getting commercial ads for phones, pet food or even feminine hygiene products. But I do mind getting a political ad on a website where political discussions are strongly discouraged, if not banned.

Thank you for the tip re: edit options.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet H You may notice that if, for instance you've been recently shopping online for cookware for example that you see cooking related ads for a few days. Recently I've seen lots of ads for pet products. .. If you are viewing a discussion about healthcare you may see ads for longterm care insurance or vitamins (but I've been seeing pet heath insurance ads) You will see many fewer ads if you log in and there is an option to disable the right column in your usercp, edit options.

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by obgyn65 Thank you, Bestwifeever. Interesting, I did not know there were "owners" of this site. Who are they ?

Is this question for real? Are you really unaware every site on the internet is owned by someone or some organization?

In the sad event you might actually be serious, I'll give you a hint: scroll down to the bottom of the page...

[obgyn65]

I will. Do you have an ad blocker in mind ? I don't know any. Thanks Nords.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords While you're tilting at that windmill, as a dozen other posters have suggested: you really need to install an ad blocker.

[MichaelB]

Ob, for ad blockers see posts 9, 19, 25

For forum ownership see post 10

[obgyn65]

OK, so I clicked on Social Knowledge | Online Community Network
Is this a business ? A non for profit ? This is interesting. I have been participating on this website for a year or two but never knew that it was "owned" by this organization... Thanks for the info, REWahoo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Is this question for real? Are you really unaware every site on the internet is owned by someone or some organization? In the sad event you might actually be serious, I'll give you a hint: scroll down to the bottom of the page...