Ed Brayton brought up an interesting discussion last month, would any of you prefer a subscription option which would eliminate ads? These fees are usually calculated so that they generate the same revenue as the ads would for a regular reader anyway, it’s just a matter of personal choice.
Speaking of revenue, I’m in much better shape than I was a few weeks ago when dozens of readers saved my ass. But if anyone feels like dropping a small gift into my paypal account on this holiday weekend, or if you feel the same about any other bloggers here, there should now be a donate button in the margins. My direct address for PalPay is my email address, darksydothemoon domain A-O-L. Again, I’m in fine shape and in no dire need, but if someone does want to drop a dime, I won’t accept anything over $10.03 cents (The .03 is FtB’s signature meaning it’s atheist money).
Well, speaking personally, I use Opera for my browser. You can d/l a widget called ad-blocker which does the job admirably.
Otoh. I (slightly) miss seeing the adverts. They’re obviously selected or triggered by key words that frequently occur, and being that a militant atheist collection of posters live here then words with religious connotations do occur. So the frequent ads for jesus and churches and religion in all guises amuses me no end. I wonder what the hit rate is? I imagine virtually no visitor who feels at home in science blogs would ever dream of clicking on any of the intrusive ads. What the system forgets, and the advertisers ignore, is: context is all. Are there any figures to show the success of the ads?
I said it there: Do it like expressways: Pay to get the blog sooner than non-payers (iow delays the articles and reply feature for non-paying readers.)
I can’t decide which is more amusing, the audacity of the advertisers to believe anyone could take their pitch seriously, the absurd content itself, or the perverse glee at helping some reactionary wacko fund the evil atheist agenda. But I click some of the nuttier ads.
If you decide to provide an ad-free FtB, I’ll be just as satisfied to sign up for the paid version, without regard to the types of incentives offered to subscribers. The only thing that would upset me is if viewing or commenting on articles were no longer free to all readers.
@ ^ thebookofdave :
Seconded by me.
I’m very happy with how FTB generally works at present and don’t see any reason to change it.
Ohhhkkaaay. Why? What’s the deal with that may I ask?
(Curious and haven’t heard that before.)
Also whatever else changes please keep the numbered comments and oldest to youngest ordering and please keep preview or /& add an editing capability.