Now and then I do a little post to request that you don't block our adverts, or if you do then we offer you the option to support us without seeing any adverts and gain extra perks in the process!
To get this out the way: I don't hate you if you do.
Adverts pay for our hosting, pay for me to pick up games to video (or to buy Samsai to cast for you) and review for you when a developer won't give out a copy, and for me to generally get-by in day to day life. Time is money after-all and having a family time is short.
We also have GOL Premium, for $25 USD (£14.84 GBP/18.24EUR) a year or $15 (£8.90/10.93EUR) every 6 months.
In future I will also be implementing an ability for GOL Premium users to get a handy email when a game they want goes on Sale, it's half-done right now and I expect to finish it by the end of the month, GOL Premium users can already add it to their wishlist and track them that way, emails are to come soon!
Without adverts & GOL premium I wouldn't have been able to do this for as long as I have. I would never want to hide our content behind a forced "pay-wall" (as in you have to pay to see 2/3rds of every article or something like that) and never plan to. I don't see that as a way of getting rid of adverts and donations alone don't cut it sadly.
We are still to the best of my knowledge the most active Linux-focused gaming site around. It's not just that though, any developer has the ability to write about their own game and have it published here or to publish their thoughts on something related to Linux gaming, or even for regular gamers to write about games they are interested in to have it published here. We are an open platform and always will be which is why I think we work so well.
We never have and never will use popup adverts of any kind, we don't use noisy video adverts, we don't put an advert in the way of any content either. I spoke to another major Linux-focused website about the pop-over ads they use and that person told me the revenue from those is many multiples that of our adsense, but I still won't use it as they annoy even me. I've been approached many times for pop-under tab adverts and I show them where the door is as well to not annoy our readers.
If too many people block our adverts in future and the amount of people subscribing to GOL Premium stops/slows (currently we are doing o-k) then in future I may have to re-consider how much time I spend researching games for the site and maybe one day stop the site altogether, but currently that won't happen anytime soon don't worry!
I feel the same way as this guy: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/jimquisition/8854-The-Adblock-Episode, if you do block our adverts, don't be a dick about it.
In our tests over May 2014 58% of people blocked our adverts, that's a bit upsettingly high, but I will have to find a way to ignore it or else I will get annoyed and not post as much news and I don't want that to happen.
I still have a lot to learn about "internet life" and I make mistakes here and there, but I am always working for you to make Linux gaming better for everyone. I do it because I do enjoy it, not because I feel I have to and don't want to ever give it up.
Now give me all of your monies.
Finally: Thank you to everyone who has supported me, GOL and a big thank you to the many contributors we have. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
To get this out the way: I don't hate you if you do.
Adverts pay for our hosting, pay for me to pick up games to video (or to buy Samsai to cast for you) and review for you when a developer won't give out a copy, and for me to generally get-by in day to day life. Time is money after-all and having a family time is short.
We also have GOL Premium, for $25 USD (£14.84 GBP/18.24EUR) a year or $15 (£8.90/10.93EUR) every 6 months.
In future I will also be implementing an ability for GOL Premium users to get a handy email when a game they want goes on Sale, it's half-done right now and I expect to finish it by the end of the month, GOL Premium users can already add it to their wishlist and track them that way, emails are to come soon!
Without adverts & GOL premium I wouldn't have been able to do this for as long as I have. I would never want to hide our content behind a forced "pay-wall" (as in you have to pay to see 2/3rds of every article or something like that) and never plan to. I don't see that as a way of getting rid of adverts and donations alone don't cut it sadly.
We are still to the best of my knowledge the most active Linux-focused gaming site around. It's not just that though, any developer has the ability to write about their own game and have it published here or to publish their thoughts on something related to Linux gaming, or even for regular gamers to write about games they are interested in to have it published here. We are an open platform and always will be which is why I think we work so well.
We never have and never will use popup adverts of any kind, we don't use noisy video adverts, we don't put an advert in the way of any content either. I spoke to another major Linux-focused website about the pop-over ads they use and that person told me the revenue from those is many multiples that of our adsense, but I still won't use it as they annoy even me. I've been approached many times for pop-under tab adverts and I show them where the door is as well to not annoy our readers.
If too many people block our adverts in future and the amount of people subscribing to GOL Premium stops/slows (currently we are doing o-k) then in future I may have to re-consider how much time I spend researching games for the site and maybe one day stop the site altogether, but currently that won't happen anytime soon don't worry!
I feel the same way as this guy: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/jimquisition/8854-The-Adblock-Episode, if you do block our adverts, don't be a dick about it.
In our tests over May 2014 58% of people blocked our adverts, that's a bit upsettingly high, but I will have to find a way to ignore it or else I will get annoyed and not post as much news and I don't want that to happen.
I still have a lot to learn about "internet life" and I make mistakes here and there, but I am always working for you to make Linux gaming better for everyone. I do it because I do enjoy it, not because I feel I have to and don't want to ever give it up.
Now give me all of your monies.
Finally: Thank you to everyone who has supported me, GOL and a big thank you to the many contributors we have. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Edit Link to larger photo: http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg568/n30p1r4t330p1r4t3/b2d73dd5-c92d-4957-bff4-974a7117bfbc_zpsa6216e60.png
This is my point. YOU'RE supplying malware and adware and you wonder why people want to block ads? If they're game related that's fine, but blatant security risks? Hell no.
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in the Netherlands you've got these stickers you can put on your mailbox (your physical mailbox, the one where all your bills enter) you've got 2 types of stickers:
1 Yes/No -> you will receive free newspapers (with ads in them) but you will not receive unaddressed commercial folders.
2 No/No -> You will receive no Unaddressed commercial stuff and no free newspapers, just your own mail!
These stickers protect you from UNADDRESSED advertisements, addressed ones will still get through, and when I get them, I'll tear them apart and send it back to the company without post-stamp (so they have to pay the shipping fee :-) ) I hate advertisements more than ever!
I see adblock as a No/No sticker for my browser. the point is I still get addressed advertisements (often called spam) in my e-mail and they are shredded to pieces too. I did not ask for it! however I did ask for these convenient GOL news updates, therefore I donated a small fee, so I hope you forgive me for blocking all ads....
1 Yes/No -> you will receive free newspapers (with ads in them) but you will not receive unaddressed commercial folders.
2 No/No -> You will receive no Unaddressed commercial stuff and no free newspapers, just your own mail!
These stickers protect you from UNADDRESSED advertisements, addressed ones will still get through, and when I get them, I'll tear them apart and send it back to the company without post-stamp (so they have to pay the shipping fee :-) ) I hate advertisements more than ever!
I see adblock as a No/No sticker for my browser. the point is I still get addressed advertisements (often called spam) in my e-mail and they are shredded to pieces too. I did not ask for it! however I did ask for these convenient GOL news updates, therefore I donated a small fee, so I hope you forgive me for blocking all ads....
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stuffIf people don't notify us about bad adverts, how are we to know? We can easily block certain adverts, but don't shout from the hills when no one has reported that until now.
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stuffIf people don't notify us about bad adverts, how are we to know? We can easily block certain adverts, but don't shout from the hills when no one has reported that until now.
There's a lot. Online chatting with girls, etc.
And here is more information about that "malware removal tool": http://www.shouldiremoveit.com/SparkTrust-PC-Cleaner-Plus-18757-program.aspx
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I've taken to unblocking sites I want to support that don't have obnoxious ads, so you've been unblocked for some time :) Bless Jim, but the Escapist's site is horrible for video ads, so I opted instead to subscribe for ad free viewing (and HTML5 videos, though I don't like that paywall).
As for other methods, I think some interesting options will appear as the community grows (I wish I contribute more to that, but my job has me exhausted this introvert it is). For instance, we could do a tournament where all competitors chip in; then split it into prize money (or just prizes) and the rest for the site. Though, you'd probably need more resources like dedicated servers, but it'd be fun to do sometime in the future :)
As for other methods, I think some interesting options will appear as the community grows (I wish I contribute more to that, but my job has me exhausted this introvert it is). For instance, we could do a tournament where all competitors chip in; then split it into prize money (or just prizes) and the rest for the site. Though, you'd probably need more resources like dedicated servers, but it'd be fun to do sometime in the future :)
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I'll make an exception for you as you asked nicely. ;)
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I think it would feel better for you and your readers if you slightly changed your stance from :
"Please don't block ads, or otherwise donate if you want me to go on."
to
"If you like what I'm doing and want me to go on, please donate or otherwise don't block ads"
Same thing but different formulation, it feels a little more positive and encourages donations more than advertising which is controversial.
Also, you should think of how you could better reward those who donate. Get ideas from crowdfunding and free-to-play games. And you can ask us for ideas.
"Please don't block ads, or otherwise donate if you want me to go on."
to
"If you like what I'm doing and want me to go on, please donate or otherwise don't block ads"
Same thing but different formulation, it feels a little more positive and encourages donations more than advertising which is controversial.
Also, you should think of how you could better reward those who donate. Get ideas from crowdfunding and free-to-play games. And you can ask us for ideas.
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ads on this site arent annoying at all ... so people... whitelist this site on your Adblocker.
i have basicaly whitelisted every site that has linux stuff.. even phoronox which has some annyoing ads.. but still people have to make money for the content they create..and we want to read great content.. so, support is needed.
keep up the good work Liam!
i have basicaly whitelisted every site that has linux stuff.. even phoronox which has some annyoing ads.. but still people have to make money for the content they create..and we want to read great content.. so, support is needed.
keep up the good work Liam!
2 Likes, Who?
I second that.P.S. I think it would be good if you published your monthly financial reports so that we KNOW where all the money is going rather than assuming it's just buying you another 6-pack for example.I don't agree with that at all, people donate/pay for gol premium on the basis that it's to keep GOL going, it's my choice to use it on whatever I need to make that happen. It's income for me plain and simple.
GOL is not a public service.
You should support it because you think it's worth it, either by seeing ads or donating money.
The fact that there's money to spare for any number of 6-packs is irrelevant.
2 Likes, Who?
After reading this article i noticed that whitelist of my Adblock is empty though i whitelisted GoL and some other sites earlier. Maybe Adblock or Chrome cleared it during update?..
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GOL is one of the only sites where I deactivated my AB. The fact that you said "Don't Hate You, But Please Don't Do It" is very nice! More people/websites should have this stance!
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Do You know what ads are on Your site?
Screenshot: https://db.tt/jc85nS5O (i think this ad is "phishing")
Screenshot: https://db.tt/jc85nS5O (i think this ad is "phishing")
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Do You know what ads are on Your site?
Screenshot: https://db.tt/jc85nS5O (i think this ad is "phishing";)
it depends what country you are in.. ads are showed based on your interests and country and stuff like that..blame the evil google i guess and the policy behind ads.
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I second that.<br abp="250">GOL is not a public service.<br abp="251">You should support it because you think it's worth it, either by seeing ads or donating money.<br abp="252">The fact that there's money to spare for any number of 6-packs is irrelevant.
I understand, but all I'm saying is that people would be more willing to support a cause if they knew were the money was going. How much is hosting? What games do you need?
That just gave me an idea, why not have a "kickstarter" like fundraiser to help pay for games to review/cast and just general funding. See http://www.niresh12495.com/ for an example. Every month they set a goal of $300 to help keep the site going, and he reaches that every time.
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<blockquote abp="376"><cite abp="377">Anonymous</cite>Do You know what ads are on Your site?<br abp="378">Screenshot: <a href="https://db.tt/jc85nS5O" target="_blank" abp="379">https://db.tt/jc85nS5O</a> (i think this ad is "phishing"<img alt="" src="/includes/jscripts/markitup/emoticons/wink.png" abp="380" data-sceditor-emoticon=";)">
br abp="381">it depends what country you are in.. ads are showed based on your interests and country and stuff like that..blame the evil google i guess and the policy behind ads.
Which is tracking. Doesn't it bother you that your personal information and Google searches are being used to display things (ads) that MAY interest you?
It's a privacy violation.
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Like i said before GOL is a service, do you ask say spotify what their employees spend subscription money on? People pay for GOL Premium or see adverts both give me income to pay for anything i need, and quite frankly it's a breach of my own privacy to state everything i need/want to use money on. Not that I mend telling people that their money goes on hosting, food, rum, food, games + everything else.
I won't be setting any mark on an amount of money we need as there is no set amount i need to live.
I won't be setting any mark on an amount of money we need as there is no set amount i need to live.
1 Likes, Who?
[
Which is tracking. Doesn't it bother you that your personal information and Google searches are being used to display things (ads) that MAY interest you?
It's a privacy violation.
no ..i dont really care..i have nothing to hide
i dont need tin foil hat
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What about a "Game of the week" banner on top of the page, where a developer pays a small fee to GOL for appearing there for 1 week and giving away a code to your readers for buying the game with a small discount or something.
Just some random thoughts
For that you need to actually get developers on-board, most don't want to spend the money.
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The problem for me isn't advertising per se but the privacy concerns I have with centralized advertising and tracking.
I haven't blocked you. I have blocked Google, Facebook and Twitter.
I unblocked Piwik for example because I trust them. Again totally unrelated to your site, you just happen to implement it.
As I see it, content providers have two options.
1. Finding sponsors and implement your own Ad-Banners instead of 3rd party scripts.
2. A paywall in cooperation with other sites and content providers.
Supporting every single site I read and every cause I approve of with 25 bucks a year would add up to quite a sum. I have to set priorities and then it's the EFF vs. GoL or something.
Don't get me wrong, I'd hate the position you content providers find yourself in, I get that. But you have to find new models; the existing ones just don't work.
I haven't blocked you. I have blocked Google, Facebook and Twitter.
I unblocked Piwik for example because I trust them. Again totally unrelated to your site, you just happen to implement it.
As I see it, content providers have two options.
1. Finding sponsors and implement your own Ad-Banners instead of 3rd party scripts.
2. A paywall in cooperation with other sites and content providers.
Supporting every single site I read and every cause I approve of with 25 bucks a year would add up to quite a sum. I have to set priorities and then it's the EFF vs. GoL or something.
Don't get me wrong, I'd hate the position you content providers find yourself in, I get that. But you have to find new models; the existing ones just don't work.
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It's going off on a tanget from ads, but...
If Liam needs to relax, and a [choose your vice] does the job, then that actually helps GOL. Trying to write articles, or even do research for them, isn't the job of a machine, it's the job of a person.
With regards to ads, it's unfortunate that they're needed, but they are. Not blocking them, or donating, or both, is how we can actively help keeps sites we like afloat.
I also like to think how much I used to spend on magazines and newspapers. And they were loaded with ads. Compared to that, not adblocking here seems...trivial.
Bingo, I am a person, everything takes time, time is money and time I could spend out looking for what other people would consider a "real" job.
I will probably do a monthly reminder on this issue.
If any adverts come up that are dubious/malware you should report them to me asap along with the url they go to for me to block it. I can't make the ads better if people don't let me know :)
As for a few people mentioning the size of the advert above the comments, I can do a weeks test on a horizontal advert rather than a square and see what it's like.
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