TargetOfUndesirableAds/Talk

JuanmaMP -- Sat Aug 29 18:19:25 2009

I found in sourcefourge similar ads (similar technically, not in contents); with "similar technically", I mean embeded with flash but over there, it is preceded with "from our advertisers". Maybe, it's recommended in aboutus.org this header since that it doesn't appear there and really it can be confused (seen too integrated esthetically). Hope it helps --JuanmaMP.

NathanielThurston -- Mon Sep 7 08:23:54 2009

Helmut, the scientology and porn advertising you saw seem to me like only the most obvious tip of the iceberg. In its modern form, advertising is designed to sow seeds of desire, usually for products which the recipients have no genuine need, and most of their effect happens below the level of consciousness of the owner of the "eyeballs". Personally, I find nearly all of the advertising I see undesirable, and the fact that AboutUs is advertising-supported is enough for me to avoid contributing there.

MarkDilley -- Thu Sep 24 18:20:02 2009

Hi Nathaniel - I hear the issue about advertising-supported - for the first 18 months we were without ads. When we switched to an ad based model - we developed the option for anyone to turn the ads off - I am pretty excited about this concept, wikiHow rocks!, and think that community / non-profit sites would do well to have this setting so the ads are turned off - and people could turn them on. What do you think of that? http://www.aboutus.org/list/advertising-optional

HansWobbe -- Fri Oct 2 20:33:38 2009

@Mark - I really believe that such settings need to become much more sophisticated than they currently are. There are many Categories that I will never want to see ads for and then there are some that I will only occasionally wish to receive information on. In fact, I can think of quite a few control variables that I would like to be able to set, that I could rely on to "filter" advertising material that I am willing to accept in many different contexts. I like your preliminary ability to "turn ads off", but I think a lot more can and should be done. After all, the difference between annoying advertising and appreciated information is nothing more than its appeal to the recipient!