I'm probably in minority but...
 

Well, here goes. I no longer enjoy coming here and it's not because of the people...you're all great! No, it's because of what stares me in the face when I come here. It's not the ads...those don't bother me in particular...it's what some of them show/suggest/ or are about. Guns and weapons, even for games, are not pleasant when one is having breakfast...bad for the digestion.

For what it's worth, I don't believe war is a suitable game...with or without actual bullets. It develops a 'them or me' mentality and creates hostility that shows up in other ways. If we're going to instill anything in people, let's instill a bit more respect and kindness by rewarding (yes, even in a game) that kind of behavior.

Well, I've said my piece...for whatever good it may do...even to get others to thinking along friendlier lines (well, I can dream, can't I?).

Sandi Bowman

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

Hi Sandi,

I don't think everyone sees the same ads ... (I've never seen those ads you describe, for instance.)

However, I can block ads that are inappropriate. Some ads I've seen are kind of strange (and wrongly targeted) so I blocked 'em. Please let me know which ads you object to - in particular, what I need to know to block them is the URL of the website the ad goes to. (That's usually shown down near the bottom of the ad somewhere...) Of course, everyone should feel free to make suggestions... If you feel it is more appropriate, you can send me a private message or email ([email protected]) to let me know...

I personally am a big fan of this forum, and need to keep it going to feed my addiction to reading the great stuff you and many others post! So I have a self-interest in trying to keep everybody happy... ;)

Best wishes,

Dien

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

Sandy,

I'm with Dien on this one. Haven't seen any ads such as you've discussed! The strongest one has been for a Teriyaki franchise. :)

BTW.. saw a recent study a couple of weeks ago in the news.. Violent games do not cause violent people. :) (Not even in kids.)

Pete

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

I am seeing the ad Sandi refers to right now. But only after I went back to actually view it. So, thank you Dien. I think the great content in this forum has helped to boost my immune system to banner ads and fly right past those war games:). But for Sandi and others, maybe you could pull the plug on 'em.

Rod

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

Pete, have to disagree with you on the violence thing. Just go to a playground and see who/what the kids are imitating in their play. Better yet, try reading the news stories about all the copycat imitators and who/what THEY SAY they are trying to be like. It's frightening!

Studies can be frauds, too, don't forget...and many of them are just that. The media only reports on those things that fit their agenda...everything else is relegated to mini-spots and hidden places or not mentioned at all. You see, that kind of whitewash of things fits their sadistic movie ads, weaponry ads, ads for violent games and sites, etc ad nauseum. Simply because someone says it is so doesn't make it so.

Rod, you didn't happen to get the URL of that ad, did you?

Thanks, Dien, for the response and willingness to modify things. You're the #1 reason this forum maintains it's quality.

Sandi Bowman

Harden Up
 

Dien,

Thanks for wanting to please everyone.

Let me let you in on something...

Sshhh... listen. Are you listening. Just a tad closer. Right?

Ok... psst... you cannot please everyone.

Sandi doesn't like ads with guns on them or something. Why? Probably thinks they Kill or some such. Not that I've ever seen a firearm jump up off the ground by itself and go after someone, mind you. But who knows in the USA.

Here's what else kills people - or I should say, people perish as a result of... Cars. Yep. Better ban ads for those Killers.

And while you're at it... ban all religious ads of any persuasion. All political ads too. All ads for cleaning products as I find them offensive. All Biz Op ads need to go because some people find them tempting and go into debt to acquire them - debt they cannot really afford (you don't want to be a part of sending someone bankrupt do you?). Oh... better also ban all ads for any kinds of foods - people might get fat. Ban health item ads as well because they haven't been Approved by a bunch of normal everyday people sitting in an office cubical who call themselves the FDA.

Ban soft drink ads too. Everyone knows - without actually knowing of course - that Coke rots your gut. And the sugar is bad for teeth - and the Nutrasweet bad for everything else.

Ban all ads for computer stuff. Stop encouraging people to sit in front of the screen for long periods. They'll get thrombosis, don't you know.

Ban ads for Lego and other similar toys with small bits. Children could swallow them, or be poisoned by Chinese lead. OMG. For the children, Dien. For the children. Do it for them, pleeaaaase.

Of course, banning sex ads and Personals Ads goes without saying.

Shampoo ads. Tampon - ahem, feminine hygiene - ads have to go too. So do Condom ads. Even Brill cream ads. Remove them.

I don't use Brill cream. But that doesn't matter. I don't like it being advertised to me - not that is has, but just in case, fair enough?

Get rid of the Google ads too. One of them right now is for Chocolate Truffles - encouraging people to consume candy adds to the diabetes problem, right? Get rid of Google Ads ASAP!!!

Ban ads offering DHMO - dihydrogen monoxide. Don't you know how many people died from that each year? Why just last year 110 people died in New Zealand alone from DHMO ingestion. Even in New York under supervisions DHMO ingestion resulted in 159 deaths between 1987 and 2007. Besides baning ads offering DHMO, public warnings should be posted about this substance so people can avoid it at all costs.

Sarcasm off /

Ok first. DHMO is water. Ok. You know... dihydrogen = H2 and monoxied = O. H2O. So don't get all flustered about it.

The rest. Dien, you cannot please everyone And if you try you will turn yourself into a pretzel. The board will end up like that Xmas Show from Southpark - where they were all walking around the stage in random patterns while wearing unisex white jumpsuits - so as not to Offend anyone.

Sandi complains about everything it seems. If it's not an Internet Marketer, it's a product they recommended, or something they said in an email, or whatever. It must be a slow week for Sandi with internet marketing emails to complain about, so she complains about a banner ad you have.

Sheesh...

Michael Ross

BTW, just for your reading pleasure here's a bunch of links to guns and knives and stuff.... Enjoy :)

www.ruger-firearms.com
www.remington.com
www.smith-wesson.com
www.tikka.fi
www.browning.com
www.hideawayknife.com
www.emersonknives.com

www.kurtsaxon.com
www.garynorth.com
www.mises.org
www.lewrockwell.com

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

Michael, for your information it's been anything BUT a slow week. I've spent endless hours trying to get colossal snafus cleared up with a company I purchased a bed from. It took TEN different calls to even trace who had shipped the stupid thing! After it arrived, the shipper refused to complete the contracted services so I sent it back. Two weeks later it arrives again today...and with the wrong cover and other problems...not as advertised. That's just one for starters...In so many words, you're full of it.

As for the marketer, I tried EVERYTHING short of advertising the problem, to which I had to finally resort, to get them to stop harrassing me, filling up my mailbox so that my time-sensitive, needed, mail was delayed until it was too late (and cost me late fees). So, yes, I complained but only after MONTHS of efforts, and many long-distance calls to their offices and so on to get them to quit. I don't believe, given the circumstances, that I was unreasonable.

As for the gun thing...if you'd had a gun put to your head and was saved by the grace of God from certain death, you'd dislike them, too. I have fired guns, of necessity, years ago...I'm a crack shot, left or right handed. My husband used to particpate in (and win) many fast draw competitions. We gave up guns years ago in favor of other defenses, and have no regrets. Yes, I know full well what guns can do and I don't believe they are suitable for viewing during my breakfast, thank you. Thus the mild complaint.

Have no idea what emails and products you're referring to as I don't recall doing any complaining, in recent years, other than as shown above. People mix me up with other Sandi, Sandy, Sandra, Sondra etc Bowman's all the time so it doesn't surprise me that you probably got some of it mixed up, too. Do not confuse a statement of my views on a topic of discussion with complaining...they're not the same thing at all.

Don't pre-judge folks unless you KNOW ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, Michael. I'm a survivor, trust me on that, young man.

Sandi Bowman

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

Hi Sandi

I havent been here that long but I have to say so far, I really enjoy your posts. I hope you do not go away. I keep popping in eager to see if you or Ankesh have anything new to say.

Like I learned somewhere else when it comes to what others say, take whats usefull with you, leave the rest.

Brett

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

Yes, I need the URL to be able to block it... If anyone has a URL of an ad they'd like blocked and you don't want to post it, you can PM or email me...

I think I'm more-or-less happy to block anything that's not really "relevant"... Google's "contextual" advertising doesn't always get it "right"!

Best wishes,

Dien

Re: Harden Up
 

Hi Michael,

It is true, you can't please everyone! But I'm generally happy to block non-relevant ads... (There may be an upper limit to how many I can block, so at some point I may have to become choosy if that's the case...)

Cheers,

Dien

Is it with the live firing bullet holes?
 

If it is that a Google syndicated ad. Seems odd that it would show here.
At least to me?

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

One thing I've noticed with google ads, they seem to show ads not only targeted to the page contents, but also what pages the user has been on in the past that have had google ads, or tracking, enabled. So if I look at a page, and my mate on the computer next to me looks at the same page, we see different ads, hopefully "relevent" to our previous browsing activity.

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

I tried to buy a turtle a few years back. You remember those palm size turtles that everyone had as a kid? They didn't do much. They didn't run or jump but they were great listeners. Well, they are illegal in the state of Colorado. Reason being that I might put one in my mouth and end up choking to death. What I could buy however, was a crocodile. Yes, a real live crocodile. You know the ones. They grow 5 to 6 feet in length and eat meat. Couldn't own a turtle but I could own a damn crocodile. LOL, makes you wonder.

Scott S.

Ads?
 

Who Knew?:confused:

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

Hi Dien,

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." - Bill Cosby

Doesn't mean you shouldn't ban some of the ads that pop up. But you need to follow your own guidelines to make the final decision. And it shouldn't be because one of the posters doesn't like it.


Google learns over time which ads to show on a webpage and which to not. If people won't click on a specific ad, Google will quickly switch ads. And become better at contextual advertising over time.

On top of that, Google doesn't only rely on the page content to show the ads. It also tracks people with cookies. So if you've just come from say a sports website to Sowpub - you may well see a sports ad on Sowpub.

Because we talk about a lot of issues on this forum - including politics, guns, freedom, war - we are bound to see some of the ads that Sandi and others don't like. Trying to get rid of them could soon become a everyday nuisance job for you. Unless you put a stop to those conversations that attract the ads in the first place.

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

Well, that Google stuff may well be but I can shoot it full of holes, if you consider that I came from sites that: were about cooking and foods, weather related, health related, and simplifying your home life. Don 't see how THAT ties in with showing me guns and 'games'.

You are right, however, about needing some type of guidelines BUT I also think that Dien has a pretty good idea of what he wants to do and direction to go in...even without my input (or anyone else's for that matter). I have faith in his ultimate decisions one way or another.

Sandi Bowman

Don't let a few Negative type Ads deter you...
 

If that's what you're thinking...

You can always Learn a thing or three by Tracking Ads that get your Attention whether you like them or not... :)

Spy on those Ads that keep running and running Both online and offline...

Endless Advertising campaigns are Excellent business models to Duplicate with a nice little “twist”...

Quick example... They might also be popping up on your computer too...

Wu Yi & company really likes the SowPub content within certain Geographical locations, IP's etc...

Studying keyword focused ADS & Advertising networks is a Great method to Finding affiliate/broker ideas...

2008 Diet Of The Year... Free 14 Day sample...
Finally, A Diet That Really Works! As Seen On CNN, NBC, CBS & Fox News...
www.Wu-YiSource.com

Fat Loss Breakthrough from China...
http://www.consumerselected.com/

Here's another Great resource for Finding niche ideas... Maybe even some different Advertising networks for your web businesses... ;)

160+ Monstrous Ad Networks...
http://www.anthonyjudelawrence.com/1...-money-online/

Phil

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

But to shoot it full of holes, you would need a... ummm... ???

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

HA! HA! HA!

Sandi Bowman

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

if my neighbor had a crocodile, I could by an illegal turtle. and when the croc ate it ... no more crocodile!
there's a solution for every problem.
Robert J.

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

Thanks Sandi.

Google doesn't always use your surfing history to show you ads. I don't know how their ad logarithm works - but I know for sure that they do take your surfing history into account to show some of the ads some of the time.

I mentioned that, because Dien said:

"Google's "contextual" advertising doesn't always get it "right"! "

And the visitors surfing history may be one of the reasons why we think Google doesn't always get it right.

It had nothing to do with your personal experience. And I never meant to imply that you visit websites related to guns and violence.

For the record: I do wish you wouldn't leave Sowpub just because of a few ads.

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

I didn't take it to imply anything of the sort from you, Ankesh. I was merely pointing out that the Google theory could be very wrong. Apparently, Dien and you agree with me somewhat.

No worry about me leaving Sowpub unless I give up on the internet (which I've considered from time to time). On days I feel like quitting, it's because I am faced again with the reality that the internet and I are a poor fit. I CAN do but most days it's a struggle to even bother starting. How's that for an approach-avoidance conflict? :rolleyes:

Ah, well...we do what we can, as we can, I guess.

Sandi Bowman

Re: I'm probably in minority but...
 

guessing ...since I have just been to the warriors forum , that my cookie said to google s

display some war games

and the site

is

www.battlefieldsports.com

or maybe
www.battlefieldgames.com

I am getting scared lately .....I almost agree with Michael , except along different lines. People complain about 'situations' ...as if the govt created those without any input from the citizens...if you dont like the laws, start to politic and change em

here in Jackson, I am starting an revolution of sorts. Having learned that the local school districts budget is 308 MILLION to educate 31000 students , with a 40% drop out rate, and average teacher pay of 45k a year...hmmmm

isnt that about 12,258 dollars PER student...wonder how much it cost to send em to private catholic schools...

at any rate, I will involve myself in that battle...wont get into the gun there ...never had one put to my head, that must have been something. God saved ya I guess for some UNfinished work you have to do ...

have a good one

What ads? Oh those things :)