Ad-blocking

[Hamilton]

I don't ad block on NSC. Keep it free and put up with a few rubbish ads. Seems like a good trade to me!

 

[RandyWanger]

I'm turning mine back on as that HMV advert is making the site unisable.

 

[Drumstick]

Far as I’m aware I’ve never ad blocked and get ads here.

The Argus site I get them AND a message saying I should turn off my add blocker!

Both via my iPhone8+


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

I dunno what you guys are using for browsers/OS but I turned ad blockers off ages ago and now just get the little banners at the top/bottom whenever I'm logged in.

 

[Brovion]

I dunno what you guys are using for browsers/OS but I turned ad blockers off ages ago and now just get the little banners at the top/bottom whenever I'm logged in.

Desktop PC running Windows 8. Chrome browser.

 

[ferring seagull]

Can someone please tell me where the ad blocker is located ?

 

[Taybha]

 

[juliant]

Can someone please tell me where the ad blocker is located ?

Its an addon normally for your browser. Or a piece of software you may need to install

 

[ferring seagull]

Its an addon normally for your browser. Or a piece of software you may need to install

Thanks for that, I could live with adds top and bottom but this is doing my head in !

 

[perseus]

Ad Bloc on permanently now, as the ads are getting to be a pain TBF

Same for me. HMV advert and one before made the site unusable so I installed Ad-Block.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Same for me. HMV advert and one before made the site unusable so I installed Ad-Block.

 

[seagulls4ever]

I've posted often enough about this, very possibly on this thread - I can't be arsed to look.

I use NSC the same as everyone else who is logged in. I have the same ad units (maybe not always the same ads due to user targeting). I'd never intentionally make NSC so that it is a horrible experience - that doesn't suit anyone. Occasionally bad ads can make their way into ad networks and I'll always do my best to remove those as quickly as possible.

However, in the same way users are free to use ad blockers, site owners are free to not serve content to those who use ad blockers. Many sites do already I believe. Those who use ad blockers can't get "bitchy" about that.

I think there's a big difference between NSC and other sites that block those that use ad blockers - on NSC the content is provided, for free, by the users.

On mobile, when not logged in, NSC is a "horrible experience". When logged in, it's not far off.

I think you should seriously consider just paying someone to create a custom theme that is the same for all users, but responds differently depending on the device (screen size, mobile). It would save you a lot of time and hassle. The ads have become very annoying because they are integrated into the site very poorly - a custom theme can resolve this. It would probably cost a few hundred pounds. Surely NSC can afford it with all the advert that are now present! If not, you could easily raise the funds from donations from the community. It would be better for everyone!

As for the database errors, I have seen this on NSC in the past - but not for years probably. It has occurred previously during busy periods. It won't leave any logs because it's not an error as such, it's just vBulletin reporting that it can't connect to the database. If the server is managed, which I assume it is, your provider should be troubleshooting this for you and fixing it. If they aren't or won't, I would seriously consider moving to a new provider.

More info here: https://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/cantconnect

 

[twiggles]

https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/19/chrome-will-start-blocking-ads-on-february-15/

Might help some problems. I currently do run an adblocker but if Chrome is looking to block non-compliant adds as a default it would help me turn it off.

 

[chimneys]

Know nothing about much of this but ads keep trying to take over my NSC Bozza. O2/Telefonica just now being the latest.

Please stop them or am I meant to install Ad blocker?!!

 

[Dr. No]

NSC loses a fair chunk of income through ad-blocking.

Do you do it?

No.

 

[maffew]

I think there's a big difference between NSC and other sites that block those that use ad blockers - on NSC the content is provided, for free, by the users.

On mobile, when not logged in, NSC is a "horrible experience". When logged in, it's not far off.

I think you should seriously consider just paying someone to create a custom theme that is the same for all users, but responds differently depending on the device (screen size, mobile). It would save you a lot of time and hassle. The ads have become very annoying because they are integrated into the site very poorly - a custom theme can resolve this. It would probably cost a few hundred pounds. Surely NSC can afford it with all the advert that are now present! If not, you could easily raise the funds from donations from the community. It would be better for everyone!

As for the database errors, I have seen this on NSC in the past - but not for years probably. It has occurred previously during busy periods. It won't leave any logs because it's not an error as such, it's just vBulletin reporting that it can't connect to the database. If the server is managed, which I assume it is, your provider should be troubleshooting this for you and fixing it. If they aren't or won't, I would seriously consider moving to a new provider.

More info here: https://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/cantconnect

with respect most of that is total bollox particularly the link regarding socket binding/port listening

 

[seagulls4ever]

with respect most of that is total bollox particularly the link regarding socket binding/port listening

Care to elaborate? You're not providing much contribution with 'that is total bollox' (which doesn't show much respect). I made several points in that post, in the interests of providing a better NSC experience for everyone, which I think will help keep the site as busy as possible in the long run.

As for the database errors, I posted pretty much the same thing in another thread, which you 'liked'. It appears the issue was caused by too many notifications being added to the database, which Bozza was able to figure out with the help of the host (so well done them).

 

[maffew]

Care to elaborate? You're not providing much contribution with 'that is total bollox' (which doesn't show much respect). I made several points in that post, in the interests of providing a better NSC experience for everyone, which I think will help keep the site as busy as possible in the long run.

As for the database errors, I posted pretty much the same thing in another thread, which you 'liked'. It appears the issue was caused by too many notifications being added to the database, which Bozza was able to figure out with the help of the host (so well done them).

ok apologies maybe a bit harsh of me, but socket/port issues which is a far cry from timeouts due to a long running query

 

[Badger]

I've got used to these ads in threads now, and they're pretty unobtrusive. HOWEVER, I've just experienced one which showed a full screen video as soon as the mouse pointer went over it. @Bozza I assume these are slipping through the net?

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

I've got used to these ads in threads now, and they're pretty unobtrusive. HOWEVER, I've just experienced one which showed a full screen video as soon as the mouse pointer went over it. @Bozza I assume these are slipping through the net?

Yeah, that one opened up in a new window for me on my phone's browser. Pretty annoying!