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Bypass Paywalls: a browser extension to help bypass paywalls for selected sites

github.com

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Re: Bypass Paywalls: a browser extension to help bypass paywalls for selected sites

#11

Post by forgotmyoldacc »

elldoubleyew wrote: post #2

edit: After checking the repo it appears that this is not a a new extension, nor has there been any recent update. Seems like a new extension for this pops up every few months until the content publishers get savvy to the latest workaround and someone else finds a new method. Originally these would just set the referrer to a search engine regardless of where the link came from and the paywall would go away, I'm not s…

This extension has been around for 2 years, and has worked reliably. Just need to update it once in awhile.

Re: Bypass Paywalls: a browser extension to help bypass paywalls for selected sites

#12

Post by birken »

elldoubleyew wrote: post #2

edit: After checking the repo it appears that this is not a a new extension, nor has there been any recent update. Seems like a new extension for this pops up every few months until the content publishers get savvy to the latest workaround and someone else finds a new method. Originally these would just set the referrer to a search engine regardless of where the link came from and the paywall would go away, I'm not s…

The different search engines generally give you ways to validate their crawlers, either with publicly disclosed IP ranges or DNS lookups.

Re: Bypass Paywalls: a browser extension to help bypass paywalls for selected sites

#13

Post by DevKoala »

Victerius wrote: post #3
elldoubleyew wrote: post #2

edit: After checking the repo it appears that this is not a a new extension, nor has there been any recent update. Seems like a new extension for this pops up every few months until the content publishers get savvy to the latest workaround and someone else finds a new method. Originally these would just set the referrer to a search engine regardless of where the link came from and the paywall would go away, I'm not s…

Controversial opinion: more news outlets should be run by benevolent billionaires who can afford to spend their own money indefinitely to keep the outlet running without resorting to ads and paywalls.

The news can change the perspective of individuals. If only “benevolent” billionaires can maintain news sites, then they can also dictate the perception of real world events by individuals. It is too much power. Competition pushes news sites to adhere to some level of truth.

Re: Bypass Paywalls: a browser extension to help bypass paywalls for selected sites

#14

Post by adamc »

Victerius wrote: post #3
elldoubleyew wrote: post #2

edit: After checking the repo it appears that this is not a a new extension, nor has there been any recent update. Seems like a new extension for this pops up every few months until the content publishers get savvy to the latest workaround and someone else finds a new method. Originally these would just set the referrer to a search engine regardless of where the link came from and the paywall would go away, I'm not s…

Controversial opinion: more news outlets should be run by benevolent billionaires who can afford to spend their own money indefinitely to keep the outlet running without resorting to ads and paywalls.

I am deeply suspicious of "shoulds" on other people.

Maybe normal human beings should pay enough that newspapers can survive.

Re: Bypass Paywalls: a browser extension to help bypass paywalls for selected sites

#15

Post by Victerius »

dangus wrote: post #10
Victerius wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Controversial opinion: more news outlets should be run by benevolent billionaires who can afford to spend their own money indefinitely to keep the outlet running without resorting to ads and paywalls.

If billionaires were benevolent they wouldn't be billionaires.

Bill Gates?

Re: Bypass Paywalls: a browser extension to help bypass paywalls for selected sites

#17

Post by echelon »

makach wrote: post #6

An article worth reading is worth buying.

Except the industry is stuck in 1995.

You want to pay $50/yr [1] for twenty different news websites? All I want to do is read one article.

It needs a Spotify / Netflix model. Or the promise of micropayments that never happened. (Yeah, I'll pay 10 cents for an article. And also learn to distrust your site if you shill clickbait.)

[1] NYT digital cost

Re: Bypass Paywalls: a browser extension to help bypass paywalls for selected sites

#20

Post by Victerius »

adamc wrote: post #14
Victerius wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Controversial opinion: more news outlets should be run by benevolent billionaires who can afford to spend their own money indefinitely to keep the outlet running without resorting to ads and paywalls.

I am deeply suspicious of "shoulds" on other people. Maybe normal human beings should pay enough that newspapers can survive.

What if they don't?

I agree in principle, but I struggle to see what business model can allow newspapers to survive in the digital era.

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