This is the filter line to disable in ad-block btw:
mmorpg.com##a[target="_blank"]
They also have another mmorpg.com specific one which is
||mmorpg.com/images/skins/
Not sure what images are located there.
Wewt! Works! Totally thanks!
I had to fix this the hard way, but eventually I stumbled upon the same solution. Not only were links not working, but some of the skins (especially the main page MMORPG.com logo) and use images were not appearing. It's good to know that MMORPG.com knows what's going on, though, and takes the time to explain it for other ABP users.
Also, raise your hand if you thought of "APB" as All Points Bulletin at least once, seeing as it just released and there is a lot of discussion about it /doh.
This is the filter line to disable in ad-block btw:
mmorpg.com##a[target="_blank"]
They also have another mmorpg.com specific one which is
||mmorpg.com/images/skins/
Not sure what images are located there.
Wewt! Works! Totally thanks!
I had to fix this the hard way, but eventually I stumbled upon the same solution. Not only were links not working, but some of the skins (especially the main page MMORPG.com logo) and use images were not appearing. It's good to know that MMORPG.com knows what's going on, though, and takes the time to explain it for other ABP users.
Also, raise your hand if you thought of "APB" as All Points Bulletin at least once, seeing as it just released and there is a lot of discussion about it /doh.
*raises hand* While writing the instructions I thought of APB myself... >.>
I must be a rare breed of animal - I don't hate advertising. Some forms of ad revenue may be more annoying than others, and I avoid them when I can (gotta love the skip-commercial button on my DVR remote) but I don't block ads in my browser and for the most part I don't get the point of trying to. Are you ADD-ridden children really incapable of ignoring what's in your peripheral vision?
As for MMORPG, I appreciate the policies you have in place to avoid the more annoying varieties you won't allow. Shows class and respect for your customers.
I don't have a problem with ads as long as they remain real ads. Advertisements are a fact of life, and some of em are interesting and/or amusing. One time however, I clicked on an add on another gaming site, (not an info site but an addon one) that gave my pc a nasty virus. Kept popping up this damn fake security thing and it wouldn't let me do anything. Couldn't run task manager, firefox, nothing. Anything I tried to do it blared a warning, said the file was infected, and demanded 50 bucks to fix it. The site that ran that add is now blacklisted by my friends and family. I ended up having to reformat. As long as you're selling ads to legitimate companies and not scum of the eath there shouldn't be a problem.
The ad claimed to be for Jumpgate:Evolution by the way. It was not. It definitely was not.
Thanks everyone for the mostly positive support here. I really don't think at this time we could support this site any other way. We have 7 full time employees plus lots of paid moderators and writers, over 15 rack mounted machines (not including firewalls and load balancers) and a scary hosting/bandwidth bill...while it would be a neat idea - i really, strongly doubt that we could get by with a "donate please" button. But, I would like to know what makes what we do here at MMORPG.com not "real work" - this team works night and day to make this site possible and we all work very hard and sacrifice most of our lives doing it.
Since day #1 it has always been my goal to keep the ads here relevant to the site and as much as possible a non-intrusive and non-annoying as we could. While I know flash ads can get a bit heavy this is pretty much the standard for banner ads (I hope this changes in time since the truth is we usually get better results from still JPG banners, but advertisers don't seem to care, lol)
Anyways, thanks again!
I thought I'd chime in on how easy and 'non-work' making income from ads really is.
What I do for a living is a buy websites that already have a decent amount of traffic, the sites run themselves pretty much and I just replace the previous owners ads with mine (some of you may be familiar with google adsense) By the time a few months pass I've already made my money back and starting to profit.
I started off as a web developer but found this is much more lucrative and takes way less work. After you have a good 30+ sites dragging in a nice amount of ad revenue on a daily basis you pretty much don't have to do anything but check your accounts from whatever ad agency you are using to see how much you made.
It isn't really any work, it is kind of just gambling when you get started... but here is where I side with MMORPG.com. They seem to live off their forums, that is one thing that I would avoid when buying a site for ad revenue is a site that runs off their forums, it requires way to much work and dedication, and to much of my attention.
EDIT: fun fact... porn sites bring in the best ad revenue, after all its why the internet was invented :P
I'm glad you guys posted a way to get around this. There were some good articles I wanted to read and had to go into IE to read them. Now, I can stay in Firefox. Thanks.
I agree with others that have stated that the ads on this site aren't too bad and I know the bills have to get paid somehow.
I'm glad you guys posted a way to get around this. There were some good articles I wanted to read and had to go into IE to read them. Now, I can stay in Firefox. Thanks.
I agree with others that have stated that the ads on this site aren't too bad and I know the bills have to get paid somehow.
I guess it's time to renegotiate your deal with SOE to keep critical posts (and posters) off your forums. Smed's got big pockets...he'll take care of you guys.
Don't make uninformed, blanket assumptions that "most" people use adBlockers or don't like ads on this site. You are wrong. Just look at the recent poll asking users about ads in games, a much more volatile subject. Its about 50/50.
I mean its full content is still available quoted in several other posts including one of an admin...
I guess mmorpg prefers you to whitelist their entire site instead just fixing the specific problem but deleting the post like that seems like a strange way of encouraging that.
"Memories are meant to fade. They're designed that way for a reason."
I mean its full content is still available quoted in several other posts including one of an admin...
I guess mmorpg prefers you to whitelist their entire site instead just fixing the specific problem but deleting the post like that seems like a strange way of encouraging that.
Because the site is a dependent on ad revenue to maintain itself. I, too, have only unblocked what I need to make the links work, and keep the rest of the ad blocking in place. Online advertising is the number one way that viruses propegate these days (that and fake WoW Beta Sites). Advertisers do not check the ads that are uploaded to their servers and they are routinely hacked into for the purposes of taking the legitimate ads and tacking on viruses, redirectors, and rootkit keyloggers.
Unfortunately, like all modern tech illiterate online entities, this site would rather hide information that keeps its users safe because it also blocks their number one source of revenue. By putting it out there that you just have to unblock one element of the filter and you can browse the site without ads but with links, they would still not be making any money off it. The real problem for them is that they just became aware of how many of us don't even see their parasite content, and that they could be making even MORE money if we all just viewed the ads.
I mean its full content is still available quoted in several other posts including one of an admin...
I guess mmorpg prefers you to whitelist their entire site instead just fixing the specific problem but deleting the post like that seems like a strange way of encouraging that.
I've undeleted the post and I will speak to the moderator who deleted it. My apologies.
UPDATE: The EasyList developers have contacted us to inform us that the target=blank check (which was what was messing up off-site links) is being removed from the EasyList subscription for AdBlock Plus in an update that should go out to users within the next five days. This issue should now be considered resolved.
I'd be very careful about slamming this site for its use of ads. Very careful.
But, that said, anything can be over-done. So while MMORPG asks us to understand their need to have advertising, are they taking into account how over-done and annoying advertising can be?
I guess that's just something that is up to the users to decide.
It isn't the site. I don't fault sites for wanting to run ads. They're a fast and easy way to get money and its a valid business model. I just personally hate ads because they're also a fast and easy vector for viruses and worms. Ads are a security threat I would rather not have to deal with. So I don't.
Yeah, the second part of my previous rant was really bitchy. Sorry.
You allow flash ads though, not that i mind, but, flash ads are a virus vehicle for many sites. However, for those who don`t understand the Internet, 99.9% of companies advertising have laws in their countries where they are in great trouble if their ad does steal data & info, so unless the ads are russian (eastern europe actually) or chinese (who do it the most), there is very little threat.
When you know what was possible with older flash versions (things like reading files in a hard drive, taking control of a remote pc, etc.) that have now been fixed, you are still careful about a site running ads on every page.
When ads are run, does mmorpg.com track its server to see if they communicate with an exterior site?
If not,
Does mmorpg.com inspect the .fla files and generate the swf themselves, or does mmorpg.com simply ask for the swf to be sent in, or even worse, added. If no inspection happens, your "standards" are just as low as any other ad run site out there.
Again, for those who dont matter and read this anyways and panic, it was also possible 6 months ago to take control of someones PC if the person connected to your site with Firefox through the use of javascript. IE is worse, thats what a lot of the "security patches" MS has are for. If all the above scares you, unplug your network cable.
I am just curious to see what this site claims to be "high standards".
Edit: Just adding that I use Flashblock for firefox, it still see image ads, animated gifs and the like, but no flash unless i accept to click on it.
Comments
I had to fix this the hard way, but eventually I stumbled upon the same solution. Not only were links not working, but some of the skins (especially the main page MMORPG.com logo) and use images were not appearing. It's good to know that MMORPG.com knows what's going on, though, and takes the time to explain it for other ABP users.
Also, raise your hand if you thought of "APB" as All Points Bulletin at least once, seeing as it just released and there is a lot of discussion about it /doh.
*raises hand* While writing the instructions I thought of APB myself... >.>
I must be a rare breed of animal - I don't hate advertising. Some forms of ad revenue may be more annoying than others, and I avoid them when I can (gotta love the skip-commercial button on my DVR remote) but I don't block ads in my browser and for the most part I don't get the point of trying to. Are you ADD-ridden children really incapable of ignoring what's in your peripheral vision?
As for MMORPG, I appreciate the policies you have in place to avoid the more annoying varieties you won't allow. Shows class and respect for your customers.
I don't have a problem with ads as long as they remain real ads. Advertisements are a fact of life, and some of em are interesting and/or amusing. One time however, I clicked on an add on another gaming site, (not an info site but an addon one) that gave my pc a nasty virus. Kept popping up this damn fake security thing and it wouldn't let me do anything. Couldn't run task manager, firefox, nothing. Anything I tried to do it blared a warning, said the file was infected, and demanded 50 bucks to fix it. The site that ran that add is now blacklisted by my friends and family. I ended up having to reformat. As long as you're selling ads to legitimate companies and not scum of the eath there shouldn't be a problem.
The ad claimed to be for Jumpgate:Evolution by the way. It was not. It definitely was not.
I thought I'd chime in on how easy and 'non-work' making income from ads really is.
What I do for a living is a buy websites that already have a decent amount of traffic, the sites run themselves pretty much and I just replace the previous owners ads with mine (some of you may be familiar with google adsense) By the time a few months pass I've already made my money back and starting to profit.
I started off as a web developer but found this is much more lucrative and takes way less work. After you have a good 30+ sites dragging in a nice amount of ad revenue on a daily basis you pretty much don't have to do anything but check your accounts from whatever ad agency you are using to see how much you made.
It isn't really any work, it is kind of just gambling when you get started... but here is where I side with MMORPG.com. They seem to live off their forums, that is one thing that I would avoid when buying a site for ad revenue is a site that runs off their forums, it requires way to much work and dedication, and to much of my attention.
EDIT: fun fact... porn sites bring in the best ad revenue, after all its why the internet was invented :P
I'm glad you guys posted a way to get around this. There were some good articles I wanted to read and had to go into IE to read them. Now, I can stay in Firefox. Thanks.
I agree with others that have stated that the ads on this site aren't too bad and I know the bills have to get paid somehow.
We appreciate your understanding, truly!
I guess it's time to renegotiate your deal with SOE to keep critical posts (and posters) off your forums. Smed's got big pockets...he'll take care of you guys.
Never had an issue with any mmorpg ad ever. I love the art in the Flash ads so the really don't bother me at all.
@waxmask
Don't make uninformed, blanket assumptions that "most" people use adBlockers or don't like ads on this site. You are wrong. Just look at the recent poll asking users about ads in games, a much more volatile subject. Its about 50/50.
www.TXcomics.com "Your daily webcomics broadcast"
The ads aren't a problem. I don't mind them, and I mean I've found some pretty fun games off of them.
It adds a colorful sense to this site
Pepsi1028
PEPSI!!!!!
Get out of your box already...
Hmm why was my post deleted?
I mean its full content is still available quoted in several other posts including one of an admin...
I guess mmorpg prefers you to whitelist their entire site instead just fixing the specific problem but deleting the post like that seems like a strange way of encouraging that.
"Memories are meant to fade. They're designed that way for a reason."
Because the site is a dependent on ad revenue to maintain itself. I, too, have only unblocked what I need to make the links work, and keep the rest of the ad blocking in place. Online advertising is the number one way that viruses propegate these days (that and fake WoW Beta Sites). Advertisers do not check the ads that are uploaded to their servers and they are routinely hacked into for the purposes of taking the legitimate ads and tacking on viruses, redirectors, and rootkit keyloggers.
Unfortunately, like all modern tech illiterate online entities, this site would rather hide information that keeps its users safe because it also blocks their number one source of revenue. By putting it out there that you just have to unblock one element of the filter and you can browse the site without ads but with links, they would still not be making any money off it. The real problem for them is that they just became aware of how many of us don't even see their parasite content, and that they could be making even MORE money if we all just viewed the ads.
Not
Gonna
Happen.
I've undeleted the post and I will speak to the moderator who deleted it.
My apologies.
UPDATE: The EasyList developers have contacted us to inform us that the target=blank check (which was what was messing up off-site links) is being removed from the EasyList subscription for AdBlock Plus in an update that should go out to users within the next five days. This issue should now be considered resolved.
Thanks for your continued support and patience.
I'd be very careful about slamming this site for its use of ads. Very careful.
But, that said, anything can be over-done. So while MMORPG asks us to understand their need to have advertising, are they taking into account how over-done and annoying advertising can be?
I guess that's just something that is up to the users to decide.
It isn't the site. I don't fault sites for wanting to run ads. They're a fast and easy way to get money and its a valid business model. I just personally hate ads because they're also a fast and easy vector for viruses and worms. Ads are a security threat I would rather not have to deal with. So I don't.
Yeah, the second part of my previous rant was really bitchy. Sorry.
You allow flash ads though, not that i mind, but, flash ads are a virus vehicle for many sites. However, for those who don`t understand the Internet, 99.9% of companies advertising have laws in their countries where they are in great trouble if their ad does steal data & info, so unless the ads are russian (eastern europe actually) or chinese (who do it the most), there is very little threat.
When you know what was possible with older flash versions (things like reading files in a hard drive, taking control of a remote pc, etc.) that have now been fixed, you are still careful about a site running ads on every page.
When ads are run, does mmorpg.com track its server to see if they communicate with an exterior site?
If not,
Does mmorpg.com inspect the .fla files and generate the swf themselves, or does mmorpg.com simply ask for the swf to be sent in, or even worse, added. If no inspection happens, your "standards" are just as low as any other ad run site out there.
Again, for those who dont matter and read this anyways and panic, it was also possible 6 months ago to take control of someones PC if the person connected to your site with Firefox through the use of javascript. IE is worse, thats what a lot of the "security patches" MS has are for. If all the above scares you, unplug your network cable.
I am just curious to see what this site claims to be "high standards".
Edit: Just adding that I use Flashblock for firefox, it still see image ads, animated gifs and the like, but no flash unless i accept to click on it.