Please, don't use ad blocking on this site

[Stotle]

I'll say, ironically, the last 36 hours this site has been absolutely horrible for me as far as ads/sidebar loading and freezing. No other site/page giving issues. Go figure...

EDIT -- looks like the flash plug-in ads are the issue.

[PA724_Oriole]

I don't get why this is a issue.

Does the site lose money from the advertisers if ppl block them?

And if that's the case, how do they even know?

[weams]

I don't get why this is a issue.

Does the site lose money from the advertisers if ppl block them?

And if that's the case, how do they even know?

That is not the point. Tony wants the ads seen and clicked on if it is something that is of interest. Tony runs a straightforward business.

[Mizerooskie]

I don't get why this is a issue.

Does the site lose money from the advertisers if ppl block them?

And if that's the case, how do they even know?

Most pop-up/banner ads work on a cost-per-click or cost-per-impression model. So yes, in order for a site host to earn any money, they have to been seen and/or interacted with.

That said, with apologies to Tony, I'll never unblock ads on any site. They kill loading times, and despite how 'above the board' ad companies may seem, malware of all sorts is still common and they're a security risk.

[LoyalBirdFan]

Most pop-up/banner ads work on a cost-per-click or cost-per-impression model. So yes, in order for a site host to earn any money, they have to been seen and/or interacted with.

That said, with apologies to Tony, I'll never unblock ads on any site. They kill loading times, and despite how 'above the board' ad companies may seem, malware of all sorts is still common and they're a security risk.

This is the unfortunate truth....

I don't use an ad blocker, but I do have two 'list' added to my browser for protection from supposedly known malicious sites/companies. Most of the ads get blocked. What I won't do is click on any ad. I'm trying to give sites the benefit of the doubt.

In the future, I believe/hope companies won't be able to do business if they find themselves in these lists.

[weams]

This is the unfortunate truth....

I don't use an ad blocker, but I do have two 'list' added to my browser for protection from supposedly known malicious sites/companies. Most of the ads get blocked. What I won't do is click on any ad. I'm trying to give sites the benefit of the doubt.

In the future, I believe/hope companies won't be able to do business if they find themselves in these lists.

I have always had the ads, and have never had any issues with any of the products advertised here. And yes, I click on ads. The concern here is over blown in my opinion. But everyone should do what they feel is best for the, For me, supporting the Hangout has never gone against my best interests.

[Tony-OH]

I'll say, ironically, the last 36 hours this site has been absolutely horrible for me as far as ads/sidebar loading and freezing. No other site/page giving issues. Go figure...

EDIT -- looks like the flash plug-in ads are the issue.

What browser are you using? Can you tell what ad is causing problems? We're always interested in issues and will get rid of ads or networks if they cause widespread user issues.

Try Chrome if you are not. Chrome works much better for me than Firefox which seems to have a lot of flash problems on many sites, including ours.

[weams]

BTW, I have been here a long time, and still never caught a cold from the Hangout.

[weams]

What browser are you using? Can you tell what ad is causing problems? We're always interested in issues and will get rid of ads or networks if they cause widespread user issues.

Try Chrome if you are not. Chrome works much better for me than Firefox which seems to have a lot of flash problems on many sites, including ours.

Chome is my go to as well. It works for me. I know others have their own preferences, but all my supportive comments are based on viewing with Chrome.

[Stotle]

What browser are you using? Can you tell what ad is causing problems? We're always interested in issues and will get rid of ads or networks if they cause widespread user issues.

Try Chrome if you are not. Chrome works much better for me than Firefox which seems to have a lot of flash problems on many sites, including ours.

Chrome and Safari depending on if I'm editing/uploading video. Can't tell which particular add. It has smoothed out some this morning and I had no issues prior to yesterday.

[Mizerooskie]

I have always had the ads, and have never had any issues with any of the products advertised here. And yes, I click on ads. The concern here is over blown in my opinion. But everyone should do what they feel is best for the, For me, supporting the Hangout has never gone against my best interests.

The concern isn't overblown at all. Malware infested ads are a real concern. There's a reason 'maladvertising' is a thing--ads are a great target for attackers to circumvent many protections.

[weams]

The concern isn't overblown at all. Malware infested ads are a real concern. There's a reason 'maladvertising' is a thing--ads are a great target for attackers to circumvent many protections.

Again, as a legitimate business, with legitimate ad sources, we are not talking about the same level of security concerns that other sites our Members might visit might bring too them. Again, my opinion. Not any technical expertise.

[LoyalBirdFan]

I have always had the ads, and have never had any issues with any of the products advertised here. And yes, I click on ads. The concern here is over blown in my opinion. But everyone should do what they feel is best for the, For me, supporting the Hangout has never gone against my best interests.

Actually it's just the opposite. Most people think anti-virus software will catch anything malicious and that just isn't the case.

Even a 'clean' ad can lead you one step closer to something harmful.

On top of malware and spyware (items your anti virus software might not flag), there are PUPs.

I'd say a majority (just guessing) of home computers have at least one PUP (potentially unwanted program).

McAfee created the term PUP because marketing firms didn't want their "products" called "spyware".

[weams]

Actually it's just the opposite. Most people think anti-virus software will catch anything malicious and that just isn't the case.

Even a 'clean' ad can lead you one step closer to something harmful.

On top of malware and spyware (items your anti virus software might not flag), there are PUPs.

I'd say a majority (just guessing) of home computers have at least one PUP (potentially unwanted program).

McAfee created the term PUP because marketing firms didn't want their "products" called "spyware".

I understand. My wife's former payroll company got hacked. There are much bigger concerns out in this big bad world than what might happen at the Hangout. The bottom line is, if the ads are blocked, the Hangout expires. And that is not good for those of us who like it. Tony asked that those who are supportive and inclined to please do this for him. I do not wish to turn this into a forum for internet security. We have a place for that. Thanks.

[Tony-OH]

I don't get why this is a issue.

Does the site lose money from the advertisers if ppl block them?

And if that's the case, how do they even know?

Thanks for asking. Most ad networks sell ads on a cost per thousand impressions. The more ads that are viewed, the more money they/we make. There are trackign systems in place that allows them and us to know how many ads were served and at what cost per thousand they paid off.

Saying all that, we appreciate and respect all of our members and if some people don't feel compfortable running ads, we understand and repsect that decision. However, we are glad that so many have decided to turn off their ad blockers for this site.