What's up with all of this Ad stuff?

[jaws4518]

I haven't been on SS in years because I have been busy building and restoring 5-ton trucks. I really do not have time to wade through all of these Google account login ads. I just want to look at some TMs and I have to download a template reader and wade through a bunch of ext. download which doesn't work. This is cumbersome and a distraction. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Mullaney]

I haven't been on SS in years because I have been busy building and restoring 5-ton trucks. I really do not have time to wade through all of these Google account login ads. I just want to look at some TMs and I have to download a template reader and wade through a bunch of ext. download which doesn't work. This is cumbersome and a distraction. What am I doing wrong?

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The ads help pay for the site, but if you are logged on to the site those ads disappear - Assuming you pay the $15 bucks to be a member.

 

[patracy]

I'm going to pull back some of the google ads for at least registered users. Hopefully it won't impact ad revenue too much.

 

[dr3d]

Patracy,

Just FYI from a new guy ...

I started browsing here using Duck Duck Go browser. I don't and have never blocked ads. But SS sure thinks I do. I see all the ads, but the adblock detector slaps back to the start and repeatedly accuses me of blocking the ads I saw.

I'm pretty sure the fact that I do block faceplace and other intrusive information vacuums is triggering the ad block detector at SS.

Solved for me by tapatalking from the phone, but blasted annoying on my computer.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

[patracy]

DDG browser reports as a ad blocker on it's own. No way around that.

 

[sbgarage]

Ddg is Microsoft owned, and privacy is an illusion.

 

[dr3d]

Ddg is Microsoft owned, and privacy is an illusion.

I know DDG sold me out ... mostly still using it 'cause it isn't google. Used Opera years ago; going back soon if I it survives vetting.

Serious thanks though. Glad to be in the company of folk that know these things.

EDIT to double down with DDG. This post inspired me to dig up the details. The Microsoft tracking info back door was closed back in August 2022. Microsoft continues to get ad placements due to a continuing contractual agreement that gives DDG access to Bing's search engine. IMO this is Art of the Deal level business. DDG renegotiated and eliminated tracking level data exchange very quickly when the original terms of the contract started degrading their reputation. My little dive also introduced me to the founder - gotta say I like the guy a lot.

 

[sbgarage]

I used opera in its early years, the project had a good intent I felt, but they sold out to Asian interests. I have also used brave on a few rigs but the same issue still applies. Metadata is a key "advertising" option to exploit for big tech.

 

[jaws4518]

So, do I need to pay a membership fee? I paid a classified fee years ago but I think that was for one year. I have current and completed projects to post. I'm using Fire Fox, and when I click on a TM it keeps asking me to add the extention which I already have and it's just a dialog loop. I just want to download TMs and use a .pdf reader to view. I used to go to Liberated Manuals.com or something like that for TMs. Oh, well I will find a work around.

 

[patracy]

So, do I need to pay a membership fee? I paid a classified fee years ago but I think that was for one year. I have current and completed projects to post. I'm using Fire Fox, and when I click on a TM it keeps asking me to add the extention which I already have and it's just a dialog loop. I just want to download TMs and use a .pdf reader to view. I used to go to Liberated Manuals.com or something like that for TMs. Oh, well I will find a work around.

To download a TM, no, not at all. Could you post a screen shot?

 

[jaws4518]

To download a TM, no, not at all. Could you post a screen shot?

Sorry for the delayed response. Everything good now. The Google account login dialogs are gone. No more template add-on stuff. Oh, well... All is good.