Advertising on DU: Stage Two (b) - some changes

[EarlG]

Thanks for all the feedback so far. We've removed two of the ads from the thread pages and are no longer separating the OP from the reply tree. Now the threads aren't broken up. To be honest, we agree with most you that it was pretty annoying when the threads were broken up like that. Just bear in mind that a large part of this whole process involves trying to figure out a balance between effective placement and annoying placement.

Thanks again for your continued patience. We'll keep you updated whenever we make more changes.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

1. Very Cool. Thanks For The Effort.

I'm sure in the end you guys will find a solution that the majority of DU'ers can live with, and hopefully it will bring you guys in some good dough as well. :)


:thumbsup:

[crispini]

2. What's with all the Floyd?

Weird.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

5. I Was Wondering That Too, But Then Found A Pink Floyd Thread In GD.

That must be the culprit. :)


I say we post about 20 "Impeach Bush Now" threads and see what pops up.

[Cha]

13. I second that Psych

Ops!

[hvn_nbr_2]

10. I see "Fitness Singles" and "Military personal ads" everywhere

This is the first thread where I've seen Pink Floyd ads, probably because you brought up the subject in this thread.

I think it's going to be fun to watch what ads come up in which threads. Somewhere I saw a thread about someone's mother-in-law's gay neighbors doing all the ordinary stuff that homeowners do, including gardening. The ads were for garden gnomes and wind chimes.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

95. plus "stage" is keying Google into ticket offers for us.

[Xeric]

3. Thanks DU

for helping to switch more people from IE to Firefox ;)

[Dudley_DUright]

4. Ah

I was wondering what the fuss was about with the google ads. I already have switched to firefox. :-)

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

6. I Tried Firefox Months Back But Wasn't A Fan Of It.

One of my biggest issues, though extremely petty, was that I found no way to turn on an 'inline autocomplete' feature that ie has, that fills in the rest of the url as you type. I'm just so used to that feature that in and of itself was enough for me to not like firefox too much.

Any idea if it has that capability now?

[greyl]

7. Yes, it does. nt

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

9. Really? Can You Tell Me Where That Feature Is Found?

I'm going to download a new version now and try it. Thanks!

[greyl]

12. Tools >Options>Privacy>Saved Forms.

I removed google from Adblock to check out the ads.
Too bad most of them are to dishonest sites that try to trick people into giving an email address.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

17. Nope. That's Not It. From What I See It Still Does Not Have That

capability. Shame though, I was excited for a minute there.

Inline autocomplete is when you type "http://demo" and it fills in www.democraticunderground for you and you just hit enter. The feature you were referencing merely opens up the list below the search bar with all the sites starting with the entry, but then you have to tab down or click on one to select it.

I don't want to have to tab or click, I just want to type www.de for example, and have the rest of the address fill inside the address bar automatically.

I still can't find a way to activate a feature like that in firefox.

Thanks for trying to help though.

[greyl]

27. It works I tell you.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

37. LOL No! That's Not What I'm Talking About!

I'm not talking about the list that populates BELOW the address bar, I'm talking about typing a few letters and having the rest of the address populate INSIDE the address bar.

For example, in your screenshot, I would see www.de in the address bar itself, with the brackets representing blue highlighting around the rest. Then I'd just hit enter and voila, I'm here.

[foo_bar]

79. here ya go

From the “Why isn’t this enabled by default?” department, Dougal reveals that Firefox can do inline autocomplete in the URL bar. Just go to about:config, make a new Boolean value called “browser.urlbar.autoFill”, and set it to true. Gee whiz.

http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2004/12/15/firefox-inline-autocomplete

Tried it a minute ago in 1.5.03, seems to work as advertised.

[Xeric]

25. It does have it

As default. Of course you have to have been to the site in the past to have it in history. If you just installed Firefox, the site wouldn't be there yet.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

26. Again, No, That's Not True. I'm Not Talking About A Drop Down History.

I'm talking about inline autocomplete.

That means you don't have to pick it from a list. It just fills in the rest automatically in the address bar itself with no further intervention. For example, just type www.de and www.democraticunderground.com is automatically populated within the address bar and all you have to do is hit enter.

There is no capability for that within Firefox that I've found, unfortunately.

[Xeric]

31. many people find that irritating

and turn that off in IE.
I can type de into the bar and I get the list of all the democraticunderground pages I've been to. Like you, I'm one click away, but I have the option of going directly to the page I'm interested in. Of course if you'd rather run a virus/spyware magnet be my guest.
Screenshot:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

35. Not Good Enough For Me Then.

I really like the inline autocomplete feature and hope that in future versions of firefox they incorporate such an option. Until that time I have to pass on it. (And I get that very same list of historical addresses as well and can click if I choose. But I enjoy the option of just typing a few letters and hitting enter as well.)

And on another note, there's no need for your condescention at all. You use firefox. Hoorah for you.

[Xeric]

43. Sorry

I was just stating a fact. IE is a bloated virus/spyware magnet. I know that because I've cleaned up more than a few messes caused by it. I also don't like companies that use intimidation and monopolistic practices to keep their market share.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

51. Actually A DU'er Just PM'ed Me With A Great Tip And Compromise.

I didn't know you could easily make toolbar tabs that you just click on and go right to the site. No typing at all! So I'm gonna put a bunch of my most popular sites up there (currently just DU then google) and see if that can't work out for me. For now I'm using Firefox and will see if I can be happy with it now. :)

[Nicole]

54. Is this what you are looking for?

Autofill is a semi-faithful recreation of Google's IE Autofill function in Mozilla Firefox (with some additional features).

Works with:
Firefox 1.5 - 1.6 ALL


https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/184/

[gordontron]

70. ooooo what skin is that?

link please :hi: thanks

[Xeric]

72. minifox is the firefox theme

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/607/

The window is a KDE Linux deKorator theme called Titan-5
http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=31834&forummode=2&forumpage=0&forumexplevel=0&PHPSESSID=5dd09744b8674039f41091c2e88c4bf7

[UpInArms]

64. you might give the Opera browser a try

I've been using it for years and I love it. Very nimble and wonderful :)

[ProdigalJunkMail]

83. I do have an answer for that...takes a little playing

1) in your url address bar type about:config
this will display the config settings for Firefox
2) search for the key browser.urlbar.autofill
IF IT IS THERE
3) change the value (by double clicking it ... should change from false to true) and you are done
IF IT IS NOT THERE
3) right click on the list of settings and select new->boolean
4) name the preference browser.urlbar.autofill
5) when you click OK on that then you will get a dialog box that asks for TRUE or FALSE make your selection TRUE and you...are...done.

Works like a charm for me..


Hope that helps.
sP

[bee]

41. Wait a minute...

I just downloaded firefox last week... Are you saying that there is some way to turn this annoying google shit off?

[Xeric]

44. Yes

There is an extension available called customizegoogle at http://www.customizegoogle.com/
Install it, restart firefox, go to tools at the top and you'll see the customize google options. Click on that and click on remove ads in each section. No ads. Also anonymizes their tracking for privacy.

[bee]

49. You have no idea how happy you just made me!

I could kiss you! :loveya: :yourock: :hug:

[bee]

52. ack! Theyre STILL THERE!!!!

I checked all the boxes... even rebooted. and theyre still there! :banghead:
FSM must be punishing me for something. :cry:

[Xeric]

58. hmm...

Not sure why but try clearing the firefox cache and cookies then restart the browser.

[Zhade]

73. I did that too, no help.

I still see those shitty dishonest ads (bad choice for DU, IMHO).

[Xeric]

76. try the adblock extension then

I haven't used it but I'm told it works also. You can get it at the firefox extension site.

[Zhade]

103. Sadly, no luck.

:(

[TimeChaser]

8. Thanks :)

Much better looking now

[sendero]

11. I'm in 100% support..

... of your advertising efforts. The ads don't bother me, and they should help with some revenue, where's the downside? :) And Google was, IMHO, the best way to go.

I might even click through if I see something interesting!!!

[Avalux]

14. Better!

Thanks for removing the ads so they don't separate the OP from the reply tree. :hi:

[LynzM]

15. Thanks, guys

That's the only one that's really caught my eye and annoyed me at all, but it's really nice to be part of someplace where the admins are so receptive to real-time user feedback! Rock on! :bounce:

[Divernan]

16. No problem with the ads -

And I hope they prove profitable. I am continually impressed with the ever improving quality of this website - don't know how you do it!

[LittleClarkie]

18. I just pm'ed Skinner, but I'll suggest it here too

Can we do something about how the google ads and our own headlines are in that same color blue?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

20. I'm Not The Authority On This, But I Wouldn't Think So. That's A Default

color setting for links and is all or nothing I believe.

[LittleClarkie]

34. Maybe the backgrounds then.

Or DU could change to a different color blue.

Or maybe they could just put a banner up top and take out the ones in the body of the messageboard.

[Taxloss]

19. Will users of google.cn be able to find and read Democratic Underground?

This is a serious question.

[sandnsea]

21. The category Ads are stupendous

If I were you I would integrate those a lot more because they're targeted and not so ad-like.

Also, on the latest and greatest page, honestly, please take out that little ad in the middle of the list of greatest posts, it's just flat out annoying as hell.

And it would be really nice if you could see your way clear to shrink the right side column just a tad. I think it can catch people's eye and still be a little bit smaller.

Right now, when I hit the latest and greatest pages, the ads bombard me and I won't use those pages at all in the future.

I'd also look into the new video ads, the novelty of those will make them a real moneymaker for quite a while.

[KyndCulture]

22. it still SUCKS.

I hate it.

[bee]

42. Im with you.

Cant go anywhere on the net without someone trying to jam some product down out throats. That used to be one of the great things about DU. Now theres more ads here than any site Ive been to in a long time. Its totally annoying.

[sweetheart]

23. Effective: "let us pay for "no ads""

The ads are the worst evolution i've seen on DU since i've been here.
It is the most core deviance from teh progressive caucus to force
progressives to eat corproate media in their politics, IMO.

I'm glad the management is happy with the money, if i can buy out
the adverts with blanks on my own space,
isn't it the same deal for y'all?

[Generic Other]

24. EarlG, you messing with my head

Pink Floyd? Army recruiters? Military singles ads? Just how does Google profile your average DUer? What do they think we are morans?

If we write this is hugh!!! Series!!! will we get ads for grammar lessons? I mean just how well do they know us, or think they know us? I'm kind of scared to find out...

What happens if someone posts all those words Carnivore is programmed to listen for. What will the google ads do? Try and sell us prison garb? Give us names of lawyers?

If someone starts lusting over Pickles (as they sometimes openly do over in the lounge), will we get ads for viagra? If we get any ads for viagra, will you personally promise to post a pic of yourself with a pancake on your head? It only seems fair that we get to exact revenge on you if any really awful ads come our way. The same goes for Skinner, of course.

:)

[alfredo]

28. It's disconcerting, but if it allows this site to prosper, I can

live with it.

[idgiehkt]

29. Okay I am freaking out.

I just posted on a thread that had Pink Floyd lyrics on it and I said that I loved them and just listened to the Wall for the first time in 14 years. Then I go to a new thread and then all of a sudden all these ads pop up right in front of my eyes for Pink Floyd box sets and stuff. Am I getting ads just for me...is it like that Tom Cruise movie or something? This is weird. I have lurked for almost a year and I have to say I kind of don't like it. But I know you guys have to do what you have to do. But is it reading my posts or something? I don't know if I can deal with feeling watched like that.

[sweetheart]

30. "another brick in the wall"

"you don't need no edukation." :-)

"we don't need no thought control."

[EarlG]

32. Don't worry

Everyone's getting Pink Floyd ads at the moment. It's just a coincidence.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

33. Make that two.

They are offering me networking gear.

Edit: Oh, great, now it's Pink Floyd and other music.

[Yuugal]

36. DU jumping the shark?

As was pointed out above, "It is the most core deviance from teh progressive caucus to force
progressives to eat corporate media in their politics, IMO."

I don't like the ads at all. I think they compromise the site by showing that DU is just as much a corporate truck stop as most stuff on the net these days. This site is the only internet site I've ever given money too, and it was because it was ad free. Blah, I'm nauseous about the whole thing. Whereas before this site was a pristine respite from the constant corporate barrage that inundates every facet of our lives these days, now I feel like someone paved paradise to put up a parking lot.

Reminds me of public television. Once upon a time you could watch it without commercials. Now they tack the commercials onto the beginning and end of every program so why bother to watch it at all.

Most people would consider pics of naked people engaged in sex acts to be bad form for an ad on this site. I hope those same people can understand that all advertising strikes me like that when I'm trying to read and discuss politics. Has DU jumped the shark and become a place where if someone mentions that Google is a boot licking , turd sniffing, fascist tool of China; then the post has to be deleted to satisfy DU's corporate masters?

I know right now the mantra is that Google is only going to put the tip in, but does anyone really believe that? It would have been better to let the donors know DU was in financial trouble and ask us to help more.

Blah

[Sarah Ibarruri]

39. I agree with you 100%, but where's the money going to come from?

Money doesn't grow on trees. There's always a price to pay for everything. This website doesn't run for free. Either it runs on our money, or corporate money. We've failed to support it.

[Zhade]

74. It's not just commercials on PBS either - it's conflict of interest.

I mean, how is PBS going to honestly cover, say, oil lobbyists' influence on foreign policy when the network shows are sponsored in part by the likes of EXXON-MOBIL?

Same reason I don't listen to Air America - Wal-Mart and Merck ads ensure kid-glove treatment. It's bullshit.

[Elad]

38. kick n/t

[Swamp Rat]

40. Grrreat! Looks better... How 'bout another tweak?:

Now try moving the ads above the greyed-out "Home » Discuss » General Discussion ..... Donate" bar.

It might look even better AND economize on space because there is already an open area between the title of the thread and the above mentioned bar.

[Ioo]

45. I would rather see these here (Pic inside)

I see this area as part of the thread. I support the need for ads, but I just think placement is not right to me.

[Ioo]

46. I hurt my own eyes with this one :)

[idgiehkt]

71. yes me too.

thank you. I posted this below but I didn't see where you had posted it.

this feels like bondage or something.

[mconvente]

47. I don't mind the ads where they are

I'm aware a lot of people are sketchy about the idea of corporate money flooding DU, but it's not like we are pawns to them like big media companies. It's just a way to make some money to support this wonderful site. We all have to make sacrifices in our lives, so I suggest some people lighten up a bit and let this play out for a bit.

[Catchawave]

48. The ads are just fine...

I didn't even notice them until I saw a thread bitching about them :rofl:

[Lisa0825]

50. I especially like the ones at the very bottom.

I am most likely to click on something when I am DONE with what I am reading, so the ads at the bottom are perfectly placed, IMO!

[wildflowergardener]

53. flashing ads

Hi. I don't mind the non flashing google ads, but are the flashing ads to the left part of the google thing? I don't like to complain - I understand why you must have ads, but I can't seem to concentrate on reading the post headers - my eye keeps being drawn to the ad flashing on and off on the left side of the page - not to the point that it makes me want to click on it - more - it makes me want to leave the page to stop it.

Or were these there before - and I am only just noticing them because of the discussion about ads?

Meg

Ok - I managed to make them go away by changing my browser options to not play animations in webpages.

[Delphinus]

55. I admit I haven't read the responses,

but the big thing is that the ads don't open in a new browser, so I have to find my way back to DU. I like it when they open in a new one.

[RoyGBiv]

57. Agreed ...

Admittedly I'm not inclined to click on most of these ads anyway, and after having done so just to see what some of them are, this struck me quickly. I will be even less inclined to click them knowing they don't open in a new window.

[RoyGBiv]

56. Latest page spacing ...

Threads on the latest page now seem to have no spacing between them.

Irritating...

I know you're still experimenting here, but from initial observations, the aesthetics are suffering.

OnEdit: Correction. Spacing in "Latest Discussion Threads" is non-existent. Spacing under the LBN column is fine.

[Skinner]

59. Go to the latest page.

Hold the shift key and click the reload/refresh button on your browser.

[RoyGBiv]

61. Excellent ...

Thanks.

Didn't need to refresh actually. I've been testing stuff, and pretty much everything is getting wiped out of memory and my cache every few minutes, so it loaded whatever you did when I went there.

[RoyGBiv]

60. Comment on Content

I know it's early, but I want to point out something during these early days to make sure it is noticed. I suspected this would happen, and unfortunately I was right.

Ads like this one:

http://www.will-bush-win.com/

are *far* too common. These only barely avoid the legal definition of a scam. If these kinds of ads are as commonplace regularly as they are today, I have absolutely no confidence in this program.

I suggest not clicking through the page that comes up. It's just a fake poll with a flashing graphic. It doesn't matter where on the graphic you click. You are then taken to one of these so-called "free offers" that require you to enter your personal information, which is then sold to marketers or used by the company itself to market products. At least that's what the "legitimate" sites that do this will do with that information. This one requires you to purchase other products or services that they categorize in "Gold" "Silver" and "Platinum" categories in order to be eligible to claim a "reward." Some of these offers then require you to participate in yet more "offers" to satisfy the requirements of the first offer, so on and so forth.

In the end, you spend more than what the prize is worth. I've seen cases of people who don't understand at all how this stuff works putting in the credit card info to "validate" who they are and end up with thousands of dollars of charges because what they were really doing was agreeing to various purchases of essentially useless crap, vaporware, or access to other sites that once again do nothing but serve as another marketing device. It *is* legal, but it's not ethical.

It also sets a cookie that doesn't expire for five years, effectively a non-expiring cookie that likely works as a tracker.

On a more practical note, ads like this I believe will provide inspiration for the development of what is effectively a consumer advocacy group on DU, whether formal or not, and I suspect adblock and Firefox are going to get a lot more press around here. I think that both saps the actual purpose of this site and lessens the actual benefit of the program. If you have the ability to block certain kinds of ads, and if these actually fit into a category that can be blocked, I do suggest you consider this option.

[Divine Discontent]

62. LOL

your last paragraph struck me as PERFECT!

haha..

and it increases the point that we need to be careful with our privacy.

thanks for the smile and right-on point...






www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <--- Check it out ProDem & AntiBush Stickers & Shirts

[GreenPartyVoter]

63. Thanks EarlG

[DainBramaged]

65. No matter what it takes, you guys do what is necessary to survive

And for those bitching, just shut up. Go find another community as vibrant as DU funded for free or measly contributions and bitch there. These ads are on Americablog, Raw Story and all the other sites we frequent. We don't have Fat Cat Rethuglican Sugar Daddies funding DU, just the members and some advertising.


Long may we live.:patriot:

[stevietheman]

66. Since changes, "Latest Discussion Threads" is squeezed...

together and hard to read. How about having some space in between the entries? If this isn't done, I won't be able to look at the page any longer, as it makes me go cross-eyed and gives me a headache.

[Skinner]

90. Go to the latest page.

Hold the shift key and click the reload/refresh button on your browser.

[stevietheman]

99. That worked. Thanks... Here's a technical suggestion.

Whenever the CSS changes, rename the CSS file--this will force browsers to reload it automatically. Of course, the HTML that refers to the CSS file will have to refer to the new file.

I've been designing my own web application framework that does this automatically. This guarantees that people see style changes as they occur.

[IChing]

67. I just don't like some of the adds "getting a job with homeland security"

the large flashing hillary and Rice vote for president ad -----disgusting with their pictures.--

and the other large flashing ads other than that totally overwhelm you when you are trying to read.
\




It does not read like a book or a journal, to say the least, when you do that.

I taught reading and comprehension and as an educator, I think those are mentally distracting and should be either completely toned down or removed.

Other than that I don't mind the small inconvenience.

[idgiehkt]

68. y'all are making us look at them.

because they are squished in between the OP and the thing you click on to go back to the main forum page. That is the only thing I don't like. Can you put the above back together and just put the ads on top of them? It feels like when that bitcy sales girl waits outside the dressing room and keeps asking if you need another size. Blech.

[steely]

69. Maybe we could send you money, and we could get a sticky?

Oh no, that didn't work for some of us either.

Never mind.

[Zhade]

75. So - when an ad for, say, Wal-Mart comes up, what then?

If we rightfully attack Wal-Mart's reprehensible business practices, will those threads by locked?

How much will this idea compromise discussion at DU? Will it do so at all?

[SammyBlue]

77. i agree completely. The advertising is very DLC and is just disgusting.

Skinner, please get rid of them.

[Skinner]

91. Of course we won't.

The ads aren't going to change what discussion is permitted on DU.

[Zhade]

102. Well, I believe you, but won't that result in advertisers pulling ads?

Or is there really not a potential conflict between the two? If not, whew!

But I do have to say, seeing things like Newsmax and pro-b*s* websites advertised here is unfortunate.

[keopeli]

78. Suggestions

It would help if you gave me an idea of what percentage of your income will be received from these intrusions (20%, 40%, 2%). If the price is right, I think we could all feel better about this. I assume the lack of funding from fund-raising is the cause of this recent income pursuit. Just bring us on board with the facts. Be open and honest about your finances (big picture, not details) and your supporters will rise to the occasion.

Every time an ad that runs contrary to the DU mission statement turns up, you will look silly. Right now, that's almost every page. I know you say it will go away, but if it were my business, I'd want ALL ads to be a reflection of the mission of DU.

Placement of the ads in such a way as to 'trick' you into clicking it (i.e. in the middle of a list of articles with the same font and color and a very faint box outline) are truly very insulting.

I assume Google will be profiting from this venture as well as DU. It is in both of your interests to please the audience at hand. I believe we can tolerate ads at DU, but your criteria currently seems vague and broad, whereas I believe it should be strict. Since you know your audience, Google should be following your guidelines on what ads are appropriate. A system should be in place so that certain ads NEVER turn up on this site. If you can't promise that, you should really let everyone at DU know that we can expect ads from opposing parties and interests, possibly even deceptive ones, at DU.

I know it's early in this endeavor. I hope my attempt at constructive criticism is helpful. I'm on your side and I want you to make money.

[nicknameless]

80. Some of these are pretty awful:

Conservative Students
Exasperated that the Left controls your campus?
Learn to fight back.

[Zhade]

81. Yeah, this ad thing is quickly going south.

Bad mojo.

Better donate (if they get rid of the ads, or let donors block them)...

JFC! Look at this!

http://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org&client=ca-pub-7805397860504090">Missle Defense

Check out the articles on that site!

Thank You Mr. President and Thank You Mrs. Reagan
Click here for the video of the Ronald W. Reagan Dedication at Vandenberg Air Force Base
Clear and Present Danger Iran and North Korea continue the threat.


It's a fucking RIGHTWING "STAR WARS" missile shield proponents' site. THAT shit's being advertised on DU.

Gah.

EDIT AGAIN: Oh, for crying out loud - NEWSMAX IS BEING ADVERTISED?!

I resoundingly declare my utter distaste for this experiment. Mods, let us bribe you into getting rid of the ads via increased donations. This is nuts.

[REP]

82. Another Questionable One

Bush's Border Plan
Do you agree? Vote now in this urgent poll.
www.newsmax.com

Newsmax??

[nicknameless]

84. I saw that one too. How about these?

Missile Defense
Official Site for Advocacy Read
current information


Counter Terrorism
For Anti Terrorism Training
Classes Sign Up for Events &
Courses Today!


Mormon 72 Hr Survival Kit
Buy 72 Hr Kits for Everyone 72 Hr
Kits for Entire Family.


I was under the false impression that these ads would be tailored for a Progressive audience.
Instead they seem to just work off of keywords.
Clicking on threads with "Republican" in the title can bring up this kind of stuff.

"Mormon 72 Hr Survival Kit"? ... Huh? :D

[nicknameless]

86. Another:

Timeline of Terrorism
A comprehensive listing of middle
east-based terror

[REP]

87. I Don't Know If I Could Survive Being a Mormon for 72 Hours

I love coffee too much.

I haven't seen those ... but I am good at missing the obvious, so that means nothing!

[nicknameless]

88. You might have to check your brain at the temple door too.

I met a woman a few years back, who had just divorced a Mormon guy. The horrors of being around those people was all she could talk about. It sounded traumatic.

:scared:

[symbolman]

85. I try to think of this as an exercise in TIVOism

When you have cable on and are watching a show you like, then commercials come on, don't most of us just pick up the remote and FAST FORWARD through them?

Well, there's a scroll bar here that lets you do just that isn't there?

If you don't like a commercial on TV you just ignore it, at least I do..

I'm here to post and read, not to click on ads or scream about them.. screw an ad you don't like, the site is damn worth it, to keep it alive.. think of a web without DU as an alternative..

If you don't appreciate what they are doing for us, maybe go make the website of YOUR dreams and refuse Google ads there.. Jesus Folks, every one of us has now or has had before authorities, or rich folks, or Bosses we have to bend over for, but you work anyway for your kids, your car, your very life, if you can put up with that, a few ads hanging around ain't gonna hurt you..

Personally I have trouble with the Salon shit, where you have to watch a commercial before you even get to READ the story.

You'll get used to it, and year from now you'll wonder why you wasted all that adrenaline :)

[NMMNG]

89. My 2 cents

I have no idea if the Admins can give feedback to Google, but it seems many of the ads have a decidedly rightwing slant. When I clicked through on one, which was a survey, it pushed Ann Coulter's new piece of trash on me. :puke: Perhaps there's a way to remind Google that we are not Repukes?

[nicknameless]

93. I clicked on your post to read it

and here was the accompanying ad:

Ann Coulter Book $4.99
"Godless". Reserve your copy today. Limited time offer -- Save $23!
www.newsmax.com/adv/godless


How is it that all of DU's other ads are Progressive, but Google is putting up anything and everything that matches keywords?
There must be a way to change that(?)

[donheld]

92. It hasn't bothered me in the slightest

If it's income keep it up.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

94. I think DU is throwing Google's algorithm off the deep end.

The ads subjects are getting positively outlandish. Couterterrorism gear?

[sweetheart]

96. If you don't want to see the ads, your solution (link)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5199753

[Strong Atheist]

97. Keep up the good work!

:yourock:

[davsand]

98. PLEASE ditch the ad idea!

Run more fundraisers, do whatever you have to, but PLEASE get rid of this ad stuff! EVERY time I try and load a page those scripts are running and it really slows down load time--IF it doesn't choke, that is...

I am not thrilled at the ad content, either. I do not appreciate being in a place that I have contributed money to and then being forced to look at ads for Annthrax's books or any other crap like that. This is Democratic UNDERGROUND, and some of these ads are about as "underground" as Faux News.

If you seriously can't make the finances work at the current level of service, I'd suggest cutting back on some of the frills and keeping the commercial stuff out. I can live without sig pics and some of the other things if it means no extra scripts and no ads for conservatives.

Regards.


Laura

[rman]

100. It's like advertising slaughter house equipment on PETA's website

A waste of money for google's advertising partners.

[Jeroen]

101. First add I saw: data encryption software

hehe..the first add I encountered was one for data encryption software.
I guess Google’s business intelligence software figures DU members might need it nowadays ;-)