I really don't understand how upset some people are about the changes made by the new SI management. No user wants ads, but they aren't really all that awful - most websites have them, and now SI does as well.
I agree that there's been a lot of whingeing. And that didn't start with the new management, it's a proud SI tradition. I think there are two valid concerns, at least in regard to whether this will remain a site worth visiting:
- Other sites have ads, and I have no problem with that. No other site has ever asked me to turn off Ad Blocker. Now, they asked politely and I did it. However, they are coming close to crossing a line. I reserve the right to protect my computer, including the use of NoScript. I am not changing any of my settings there, and I am not going to let Javascript, Shockwave, etc. run free no matter how important it is to their ad revenue. Yahoo wasn't able to protect their users, and I'm certainly not going to trust SI to protect me. So far, there hasn't been a problem, my settings on NoScript are getting along with the site. We'll see if that remains the case as they get more aggressive in sniffing these things out.
- I am concerned that SI is going to turn into another IHub, where touts and spammers get preferential treatment because they bring in revenue. The jury is still out on that one also. |
