"The Core" Ads

[Duke of Marlbrough]

How about changing the settings on the browser to not allow sound from web pages? Is that better for the site and it getting it's credit for the ad?

FYI, this is done by selecting 'Tools', 'Internet Options', 'Advanced'. In the Multimedia section (about 5 sections down) you can uncheck the box that says 'Play sounds in Web pages'

I wasn't able to test this option because the ads are no longer coming up as the 'Core' ads.

 

[pdescobar]

Like the Duke, I thank you, Paul, for responding. I take issue with your final paragraph, however.

Restricting the ad server to images-only by disabling the sounds and java should not affect your "hit count" or whatever it is because we still have to download the image from the ugo server. When I add ugo to my restricted list it says I don't trust them with any content other than text or images because, quite frankly, I don't; they burned that with this ridiculous ad. But I still get the image and if I wish, I can click on it and find out more about it. It's exactly like viewing the page on a web browser that doesn't have a java interpreter or sound capability. If the admins consider *that* stealing, then there is a real problem.

Blocking the adds completely via a hosts file, firewall rule, proxy server, etc, is something different and is a whole other discussion.

On another note, I, and I'm sure everyone else here, would appreciate you bouncing our reaction to this ad upstream to wherever you get it from because it's hurting their business and that of their clients.

 

[MadScot]

Originally posted by TeleFragged
Now, lets us discuss those of you who are restricting the ad server. You are stealing from us. Thunderfal, Civfanatics and TeleFragged provide you a service that costs us money. If it was a small site it wouldn't be such a big deal, but we use alot of bandwidth and costs. So please don't do that.

I very strongly object to being accused of theft. As things stand either I disable this EXTREMELY intrusive advert or I never come here - which would remove any revenue you would ever have from me, ever. If the site owners are making accepting these voice ads, which basically ruin the site for me, a condition of viewing the site (either technically or morally) then I am gone.

 

[D' Artagnan]

Yeah this Core ad is so annoying. It makes sound in every page

 

[zenga]

I can't imagine anyone wanting to go anywhere near this film, let alone watch it, after being subjected to this ad. It is the advertising equivalent of a stalker. Mute on.

 

[TeleFragged]

Well this just goes to show you why you shouldn't post when pissed. =/

Just delete the last paragraph as it was written poorly and frankly I don't want to argue an ethics issue I will lose regardless.

OK, now to the meat and potatoes, we at TeleFragged actually do listen to you. "The Core" ads are being pulled as of Saturday. More importantly, UGO listened when we complained to them and this has resulted in no more sound ads once the current campaigns are done. You will now have to initiate an active sound ad in the future.

I hope this helps,

-Paul

 

[Dell19]

Yey! Just a shame that I can still hear them at the moment...

 

[Padma]

Thanks Paul!

It's good to know that complaints are listened to.

 

[Stapel]

TVM Paul,

A big releave!
And: Welcome to the forum!

 

[anarres]

Wow, a big thanks is due to Telefragged for listening to the fanatics here.

It always seemed strange that ads that were so intrusive were ever devised and used on message boards. If you heard it once in your life, you may just watch the film / buy the product. After 20 or 30 times though I can't imagine anyone wanting to see it.

Again, a big thanks for getting rid of what was very quickly becoming a huge annoyance.

 

[anarchywrksbest]

If people would just look around

HERE: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48352

I haven't seen an ad at CFC in months, banner or pop-up. And about 90% of the ads on other sites are gone.

 

[pdescobar]

Originally posted by TeleFragged
OK, now to the meat and potatoes, we at TeleFragged actually do listen to you. "The Core" ads are being pulled as of Saturday. More importantly, UGO listened when we complained to them and this has resulted in no more sound ads once the current campaigns are done. You will now have to initiate an active sound ad in the future.

Thank you!

 

[Padma]

Yes, awb. Many of has *have* looked at that thread.

I use Opera at home, and these ads haven't presented any problem. At work, I am forced to use IE, and have no permissions to the HOSTS file. (However, I *was* able to add mediamgr.ugo.com to the "Restricted Sites" list, so they no longer make all that horrible noise.) This solution from Telefragged is the simplest one for most forums users, as it requires no work on their part, other than raising their voices when something like this happens.

 

[Hygro]

Yippy yi yay! They're going away!

 

[Octavian X]

You mean, someone actually listened to us filthy commoners! hooray!

My thanks to TeleFragged for the prompt and courteous action on this matter.

 

[nixon]

But for now.... it's too goddamn much. I have to take a break from here, because every time I go to a page, means that I have to scroll down fast and press the "stop" button on the ad.

Anyway, glad it's going away.

 

[WildFire]

Now this is not right. I know, its free, but this is ridicoulous.

And yes, I found the close button after looking for it, but it blocked most of the front!

 

[Ace]

Writing this message while listening to that damn core ad is the last time. Since it will end on Saturday, I will not return here until Sunday. I understand the need for ads, But having that ad sound off everytime one goes to a new location, or comes back to the top of the forum is too much, especially with no "off" button to kill it.

Oh, You can be absolutely certain that none of my coins will be spend on that movie!

 

[Zelig]

Originally posted by WildFire444
Now this is not right. I know, its free, but this is ridicoulous.

And yes, I found the close button after looking for it, but it blocked most of the front!

Solution: use Opera, or any other tabbed browser.

Even if you leave pop-ups enabled, they are much easier to manage and close.

 

[hbdragon88]

Ahh good to see them removed. Although, because of how annoying they were before, I already took measures to kill those ads in their tracks by adding the site to my restricted in the security options.

If telefragged really wanted to make us ticked they could install some code that detected the presence of a popup blocker and put up a javascript to "turn off the popup blocker". (On a board they did that and I got really pissed)

Ahh yes Wildfire444, I have seen those. I made a thread called "Ridiculous front-page ads" with a pic of the Sims Online advertisment