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[Redstone Liger]

I'd have to agree with Uta on this. Blocking specific content coming into my home that I pay a premium for is not stealing content I do let in.
Parents are encouraged by society to block all kinds of content coming into the home which hurts those businesses. The business either comes up with a 900# backup plan or fails.

Once I pay my toll to get on the highway it's a free web, unless you choose to charge me an additional toll. If I decide to hack your toll booth then I would be stealing.

[c0nsumer]

While I completely agree that it's everyone's right to block ads on websites, I must ask that they not do so on any of the *.mmba.org properties in order to ensure that I'm able to continue to host them.

To be clear, the way it works is that I host all of the MMBA websites (including the main page, this forum, many chapter sites, the Massive Fallout page, and the Logsplitter page) at no charge to the MMBA or any chapters. All I ask in return is for a Google AdSense ad at the bottom of the forum and on the left side of the main page. The revenue generated from these ads helps cover the cost of both my monthly server colocation fees (the cost of having the server connected to the internet), the server hardware itself, and maintenance on the server. I also provide general IT services including email administration for mmba.org, management of the membership site, forum administration services including spam mitigation, backups, and maintenance.

By blocking these ads you ensure that my AdSense account doesn't earn anything for the missed ad impressions and (possible) clickthroughs. While I understand and agree that it's your right to block such ads, I must ask that you change your settings to allow ads on this site. If earnings fell off to a point where the hosting was no longer self sustaining I simply wouldn't be able to afford to continue hosting this site (and forum), and it would likely vanish. This forum is a huge part of the MMBA's presence online (it's what prompted me to join the MMBA, personally), and I think that having it come down would do all of mountain biking throughout Michigan a tremendous disservice. And anyway, the ads here are reasonably topical and relevant to things that you've searched for. (Yes, I know that Singles ad is a bit tedious, but they do seem interested in grabbing a slice of the MTB population...)

[jalopy jockey]

. (Yes, I know that Singles ad is a bit tedious, but they do seem interested in grabbing a slice of the MTB population...)

They just need to change it up a bit more often. The plane Jane blonde has been around the block enough already. give us some new cuties

[Di_bear]

While I completely agree that it's everyone's right to block ads on websites, I must ask that they not do so on any of the *.mmba.org properties in order to ensure that I'm able to continue to host them.

Steve, you and I definitely disagree on some points regarding web hosting and design, and that's okay. This is something that the people in the discussion are going to have to agree to disagree on. With that, I most certainly appreciate this statement/request. In the end, we're gonna do what we're gonna do, but I don't think this request is debatable. Everyone should respect this request. I'm not saying that everyone should necessarily follow-through on it, but arguing against it is a little arrogant (this is not directed at Steve).

Regarding copyright, just because content is free to view on the Internet does not mean that it is not subject to copyright. All of my material is copyrighted and I do go after people who violate that copyright (had to file a DMCA with FB, lately). I personally don't care that some of my web visitors use AdBlock. Most of mine don't and my costs are all covered.

Finally, the Internet is an ever-changing beast, and new and fun advertising methods will be developed. That's simply the nature of the beast.

Steve, it's time to block the fitness ad. Get some new content on there.