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AIBU?

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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To wish MNHQ would fire some staff or

69 replies

NoahPinnyon · 13/06/2017 18:57

start using cheaper teabags or whatever is necessary to stop these bloody drop down ads!

I just want MN to be a useable forum - I don't care about the home page, community outreach, events. So if reducing the payroll would reduce the need for the fricking drop down ads, then I say FINE! I don't really mean it

Or maybe tech could just SORT THE ADs OUT ONCE & FOR ALL..

They've been plaguing me for weeks!

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 13/06/2017 19:51

I use safari with Adblock plus.

I also sometimes use a browser called Dolphin which has a built-in adblock and is v good. It's on App Store.

Shadow666 · 13/06/2017 19:54

I have a MacBook but I use Chrome rather than Safari. I've never had a problem with the ads. They are there but not intrusive.

PacificDogwod · 13/06/2017 19:54

Adblock HAS changed my life.

Although various online newspapers don't like it and moan at me about it. I just don't care though Grin
Sorry.

lazycrazyhazy · 13/06/2017 19:57

I never see an Ad though I don't remember blocking anything...

Flugelpip · 13/06/2017 19:59

I'm sorry to bore on (I don't work for Mumsnet) but I've loved and lost websites over ad blockers. It does make a difference. You could and should give feedback to MNHQ about the ads but blocking them is basically theft. You get this for free because you are the product Mumsnet is selling to advertisers. That doesn't mean the ads should make the website unusable for you, obviously, so they need to address it.

I worked in publishing and there's a real problem with people who pirate ebooks or will only buy a book if it's 99p - fewer books are making a profit, library loans are down, libraries are being shut as a result, authors are getting shafted. The music industry has been screwed by filesharing and streaming. If everything is free, everything slowly becomes shit. Don't say I didn't warn you.

unapaloma · 13/06/2017 20:04

blocking them is basically theft. You get this for free because you are the product Mumsnet is selling to advertisers.
I think that's a rather extreme view! If I go make a cup of tea during TV ads that would also be theft then...and I'm a serial offender at fast forwarding stuff recorded on the Sky box past the ads...I could be put away for a long time for that I guess!

RhythmAndStealth · 13/06/2017 20:05

Block Bear is fab 🐻

Roofflowers · 13/06/2017 20:07

but blocking them is basically theft
It's not basically theft Hmm
Industries need to adapt to customers changing habits, there are plenty of ways to make money on the internet around Adblock. Which mumsnet do, there sole income is not via these ads and if it was they'd deserve to fail as that would be a terrible business model

Flugelpip · 13/06/2017 20:07

No, because you pay a TV licence/subscription for Sky. Ad revenue isn't the only source of income for TV channels either.

I knew someone would get cross about the word 'theft' but the 'I know the websites don't like it but I'm doing it anyway' attitude is all too prevalent. You think most people don't use adblockers so it doesn't matter if you do it, but it does matter. It adds up.

Flugelpip · 13/06/2017 20:09

Well, unless MNHQ tell us what % of their income is ad-based, we'll never know roofflowers. Sorry if you're annoyed.

Roofflowers · 13/06/2017 20:10

I'm not annoyed Confused but you can see based on their site, from reading their front page, the technology they use that, that is not their only income source.

farfarawayfromhome · 13/06/2017 20:11

Use the app!!!!!!

ShakingAndShocked · 13/06/2017 20:14

Oft. I would bloody love to know how to bock ads on iphone6 - anyone know? Driving me insane.

PencilsInSpace · 13/06/2017 20:15

Flugelpip there's thread here in site stuff about the feasibility of an opt-in ad-free version of MN, paid for by subscription. I'd use it. I find MN unuseable with ads so I use adblock but I do feel guilty about that and would happily pay a sub for an ad free version.

I've come across this model on other sites and as far as I'm aware it works quite well.

BoreOfWhabylon · 13/06/2017 20:19

Shaking Adblock plus should work or install Dolphin as browser.
Both free from AppStore.

ShakingAndShocked · 13/06/2017 20:33

I luvs youBore Wink

BoreOfWhabylon · 13/06/2017 20:35
Grin
Original poster
NoahPinnyon · 13/06/2017 22:03

I have resisted Ad blockers because I'm too dense to install them I appreciate MNHQ need the revenue. However, these drop down ads are taking the piss and plenty of people have complained about them but MNHQ won't sort them out.

Scarlett - off course I'm not serious about staff getting fired - didn't think I needed to do a tinkly little laugh and put in the title.

Although I couldn't give a chuff about any aspect of the site other than the forums.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 13/06/2017 22:35

I didn't mind the ads until you started getting the ones down either side of the screen as that made the site unusable on an iPad for someone with already dodgy eyesight . If MNHQ could guarantee not to use that type then I'm happy to see ads at the top of the screen .

RhythmAndStealth · 13/06/2017 22:38

Block Bear works for me Shaking.

PickAChew · 13/06/2017 22:41

The ones down the side on the mobile site bug me. I don't want to have to scroll for ages just to read one sentence, all the while being followed by a bloody toothbrush or someone with a fixed grin.

brasty · 13/06/2017 23:10

I used to have adblock, but I could not read some online magazines. I find some visits the adverts are fine. Other times there are lots and lots, and I just leave the site that day. Can't be bothered with it.

TabascoToastie · 13/06/2017 23:54

I use adblocker so don't see ads, except on my phone, where I see animated gifs of Smurfs everywhere? (Or is it the gin?)

MetalMidget · 14/06/2017 06:55

but blocking them is basically theft

By the same token, you could say that disruptive adverts:

Discriminate against those with disabilities by making the site less accessible

Put users' devices at risk of malware with dodgy popups from rogue advertisers, compromising user information and the device's functionality

Sexually harass users with dodgy porn pop ups from rogue advertisers

Steals users' data allowance without their consent with autoplaying videos and audio

Wastes people's time by making the site unresponsive and prone to crashing the browser.

Do any of the above, and I'm left with the choice of leaving a site (which I have done in the past), or installing Adblocking stuff. At least this way Mumsnet can quote me in their user numbers to advertisers, and I can contribute* to the community, which forums, by their very nature, rely on.

*I use this term loosely

SlipperyLizard · 14/06/2017 08:29

I only started using the ad blocker recently when the mobile site became unusable on my iPhone - I don't mind seeing ads, but if they mean I can't actually use the site properly then I will block them without guilt - mumsnet needs to find a way to incorporate ads without making the forums unusable.