I think this site has been hijacked. Video pop-ups keep appearing and reappearing just as soon as you close them. They interfere with posting. I see the problem on my cell and tablet.
Not sure if it’s available on your platforms but I installed uBlock Origin on my PCs/Chrome browsers. It’s an ad blocker and all the BS went away.
Not sure either but I might have to look into it. Or I might be done here.
I’m getting the same garbage. Seems to have started yesterday for me.
Same here, yesterday
I’m with John. I’ve got the ad blocker extensions active on both my phone and laptop browsers, and I haven’t seen a popup (on this site, at least) for years. They cut out 99% of that cr*p across the board.
AdBlock on my laptop here. No issues. It really only became necessary in recent years because ads on most sites have gotten to the point of overriding the content, and that’s going too far. Seems to me that the original purpose of ads has gotten lost and they’re now self-defeating because they’re too intrusive.
Good morning,
FineScale.com has not been hijacked. We’ve contracted with a new ad partner, so the ads look different and react differently on the screen than they did previously. I sympathyize that popup ads detract from the overall experience. However, advertising decisions are out of editorial’s hands, and, the fact is they help keep FSM going. If you would like to lodge your opinion about the web-based ads, the best way to do it is by sending an email to customerservice@FineScaleModeler.info.
Thanks,
TK
Try installing an ad blocker as the others have suggested. That will very likely resolve this for you.
I run uBlock Origin on my notebook and workstation. It’s free and got rid of everything. Haven’t found a solution for my iPhone yet and agree - it’s about unusable.
You can get uBlock Origin here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm
correction-ish [:#]
Duster, I’m sorry to see you modified your original post. I had an ad for Always maxi-pads pop up earlier, and I thought, “Wow, hitting the exact demographic with that one.”
Like it or not, these ads generate revenue for FSM that helps pay my salary, along with the salaries for rest of the editorial staff and designers. The brand has to make money or there will be no FSM. I know there are those on the FSM Forum and in general who have a dim view of FSM and FSM’s demise may not bother them, but it bothers me–again, it’s my job. But more than that, FSM is an important part of the scale modeling hobby. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t put nearly as much time and effort into as I do.
You’ve been here a long time, and I know you know all of this. And perhaps I’m being too candid for some, but, on this front, I have to accept that I can’t change it and concentrate on the things I can change.
I’m sure we all understand that the ads help you generate revenue and help pay your salary. But, as a couple of guys who participate here on their phones have pointed out, the latest set of ads with video pop-ups are making the forum unusable for them. If they can’t use the forum, they stop coming, and the ads generate less and less revenue because of the decrease in traffic. I’m also sure you’re aware of that, and I know there is very little you can do to change it. Just saying that the ad situation is out of balance and now seems to be defeating its own purpose, by driving traffic away, or forcing people to use ad blockers because of how disruptive it is to the intended purpose of the forum. I don’t think any of us mind side-bar advertising. But the ads that interrupt your posting or kick you out of the forum mid-post are a source of frustration for a lot of us. [2cnts]
Eaglecash, that is well said.
I use a phone,I use Duckduckgo as my browser,no ads,no pop-up videos,so there’s no need to leave the forum if you use a phone,just use an ad blocking browser.
I just don’t understand all the hand wringing,it’s like anything in life,adapt or die.
[Y]
In favor of the original complaint, not everyone is as tech savvy, wants or knows how to add the pop up blockers or use a browser. The adds are most annoying, especially as they bounce around the screen and come back multiple times after being closed.
I do realize that FSM has to pay the bills, and these adds help do that. But it is something of a self inflicted wound to make the site more difficult or enjoyable in use that tends to drive away a percentage longtime members. None of the members will die from this. But in theory, less use of the site could lead to its’ demise as a cost cutting measure.
I tried your duckduckgo idea and it made no difference. Problem remains.
Makes no sense,it’s a pop up blocking browser that blocks everything on my phone,can’t say why it doesnt work for you