SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Technology Stocks : AUTOHOME, Inc
ATHM 23.14+0.6%Jan 23 9:30 AM EST
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (7682)4/11/1999 5:26:00 PM
From: FR1  Read Replies (1) of 29970
 
No More Free Ride for Web Communities.

I'm not sure I can agree with this. Yhoo has enormous chat rooms and they are all free. Basically, they set them up and just let them run. You can argue that a lot of garbage is presented there (because there is no one to control content) but it is still worth going to and you can click past the garbage.

Look at it this way - computers are becoming a TV on steroids. You can select your program, get it instantly, and interact with it.

It costs hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions) to produce a half hour TV show that everyone sees for free. The advertisers will pay the bucks if they have the eyeballs. I think what is happening is that ads are more targeted (only show the widget ad when the show or conversation involves widgets). The ads cost less but there are more of them. Also, the force is with the internet (compare internet growth to TV growth). Respected ad rating services are beginning to become involved in the internet and the audience is growing rapidly.

Who knows where it will wind up. I think the model of a free service supported by highly targeted ads will win out. If I had to pay even $5 for every site I wanted to visit and participate in, I would be bankrupt in a month. I think most people surf the web and stop at places that are fee and have content they are interested in. They skip the pay sites for the reason above.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2026 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News