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Welcome to the ad-free internet

economist.com

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Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#121

Post by DarkNova6 »

avgcorrection wrote: post #116

There’s this local newspaper. While I’m on a logged in account (EDIT: paid) the ads seem to take up at least 25% screen real estate at all times. The best ones are the ones that graciously show up while scrolling, dynamically—it’s like wathing TV (again)! My favorite place though is the gym. Which costs a lot when you just go there to use frickin’ weights and cardio equipment. LCD screens with ads running (for local…

But is this not a fundamental problem if you expect everything to be available for free? For journalism, this has become an existential threat as web-users generate nowhere near as much revenue than selling printed paper.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#122

Post by cracrecry »

The problem with ad-free content is that rich people do not just want just "no adds". They do not want to be tracked, in order not to be stalked and harrassed by companies(or individuals like gold diggers or sellers or bankers). And they are rich so companies want to track them.

This is the reason you could not trust Google or Meta with ad-free stuff. They are already private intelligence(spying) agencies that already have the spying tech. Temptation is just too high.

Just pay people that create products and services without spying on you.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#123

Post by Prickle »

The 5 minute airplane ad is nightmare fuel for me. How long until they kick up the brightness to wake you up. Imagine you are stuck in the window seat, forced to watch an ad you can't turn off?

I am exaggerating obviously, but I do find it egregious that they would dare show more ads when ticket prices are already extremely high.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#124

Post by avgcorrection »

DarkNova6 wrote: post #121
avgcorrection wrote: post #116

There’s this local newspaper. While I’m on a logged in account (EDIT: paid) the ads seem to take up at least 25% screen real estate at all times. The best ones are the ones that graciously show up while scrolling, dynamically—it’s like wathing TV (again)! My favorite place though is the gym. Which costs a lot when you just go there to use frickin’ weights and cardio equipment. LCD screens with ads running (for local…

But is this not a fundamental problem if you expect everything to be available for free? For journalism, this has become an existential threat as web-users generate nowhere near as much revenue than selling printed paper.

sigh What? I just described two scenarios where I’m on a paid plan and I still get ads.

> For journalism, this has become an existential threat as web-users generate nowhere near as much revenue than selling printed paper.

Printed, paid-for newspapers also have ads.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#125

Post by MandieD »

DevX101 wrote: post #98
saghm wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Recently I've noticed that the Uber app (which I grudgingly use instead of Lyft due to a decline in drivers over the years in various areas near where I've lived to the point where it wasn't a viable option most of the time) will show me adds when I open it to check the ETA during a ride. This is something where I'm not paying a subscription but literally paying for the ride itself, because I obviously don't check th…

Lyft started doing the same thing. It's slightly annoying. Jet Blue is also showing mandatory ads on the video display in front of you. They last for around 5 minutes and you cannot turn off the display while these ads are showing. This is highly annoying.

I carry black electrical tape for all those eye-piercing LEDs on the hotel TV screens I never turn on - guess I'll add pieces of felt to cover seatback displays because I REALLY don't want my toddler blasted with that when he's actually going to sleep.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#126

Post by avgcorrection »

bambax wrote: post #103
DeathArrow wrote: post #83

I benefit from ad free internet since the first ad blocker extension was made.

Same. It's a bit weird to write a whole article on ads on the Internet and not mention ad blocking once. I don't want to see ads, any ad, ever, and so far I'm succeeding, but I wonder how long this is going to last.

The article is effectively an ad[1] for the tech startup scheme:

1. “Give away” access to build a network effect

2. Get a network

3. Act with righteous indignation when some killjoy like the EU comes and says that you cannot just harvest whatever user data you want at will and users don’t opt to pay the proposed ransom money

[1] Presenting their worldview as just a given, something obvious.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#127

Post by blitzar »

AnthonyMouse wrote: post #52
freediver wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not really, that fact supports the premise of the article.

But then fewer people can read it and the author's arguments reach a smaller audience, which does seem like a major disadvantage.

They should put open it up for free to reach the maximum audience, but to compensate for the lost revenue they could get a company to fund the article in exchange for prominently placing an image or text about said company ...

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#128

Post by rambambram »

avgcorrection wrote: post #116

There’s this local newspaper. While I’m on a logged in account (EDIT: paid) the ads seem to take up at least 25% screen real estate at all times. The best ones are the ones that graciously show up while scrolling, dynamically—it’s like wathing TV (again)! My favorite place though is the gym. Which costs a lot when you just go there to use frickin’ weights and cardio equipment. LCD screens with ads running (for local…

Slightly off-topic, but a home gym pays back in no-time (if you only use weights and some simple equipment like a bench and a pullup rack, that is).

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#129

Post by blitzar »

andirk wrote: post #94

The repeating issue in these comments: very small fiat transactions are difficult. Crypto solves this. The barrier to entry is cumbersome because of KYC, but after that the whole ecosystem is ready to go. People talking 25 cents for an article. The ad revenue from viewing a single page with a few well sold ad impressions at $40 CPM is like 4 cents, and more often more like < 1 cent. I keep hoping to see Basic Attenti…

> Crypto solves this

So would an sqlite database, possibly even a csv file

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