BLOG - Adding ads is better than being a blockhead
I've decided to add a HIST code for items about history. I'm also killing the GEN code--it's redundant with MISC. I've been making fewer changes to the dreaded code--but I'm still tinkering.
However, the real news is the addition of ads.
Before anyone calls me a hypocrite for violating my own Rule 2, I will state that I am not against advertising. I am against other people using my blog (or more accurately, my blog's comment forums) for their free advertising. In my links sidebar, I put in plugs for friends' blogs and books written by family members.
Google's AdSense program is offered by Blogger.com. The first thing I needed to do was read through the terms and conditions--a ponderous document of 4600+ words of legalese that, like so many standard agreements, could probably boil down to "we want to be able to do anything we see fit, including demanding you to behave as we like." In particular, the terms prohibit ads on "...any Web site that contains any pornographic, hate-related, violent, or illegal content..." and they reiterate the policies page where they prohibit pages with ads from displaying content including " Violence, racial intolerance, or advocate against any individual, group, or organization" or "Pornography, adult, or mature content." Taken one way, that could mean I have to be immature, and that I can't complaine about (i.e., "advocate against"), say, Bush or the Republican Party.
Still, I hope that common sense prevails. I won't be muzzled, and if they don't feel comfortable sending ads my way, the worst they can do is cancel the ads and not pay me. (OK--the worst they can do is find some way to shut down my blog. In which case, it'll just rise like a phoenix somewhere else.)
Also, I am encouraged by Google's recent stand against the government's inane, insane, and unconstitutional request for a week's worth of search records. I'm also encouraged that elements of section 10 at least seem to protect me as much as they protect them.
More importantly, I'm also forced to come to this conclusion: Samuel Johnson once said, "No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money." I've had an online project that was just for a hobby. That convinced me he's right. These ads are the only way I can see to get paid for this blog. What good is advocating capitalism if you can't make money doing it?
However, the real news is the addition of ads.
Before anyone calls me a hypocrite for violating my own Rule 2, I will state that I am not against advertising. I am against other people using my blog (or more accurately, my blog's comment forums) for their free advertising. In my links sidebar, I put in plugs for friends' blogs and books written by family members.
Google's AdSense program is offered by Blogger.com. The first thing I needed to do was read through the terms and conditions--a ponderous document of 4600+ words of legalese that, like so many standard agreements, could probably boil down to "we want to be able to do anything we see fit, including demanding you to behave as we like." In particular, the terms prohibit ads on "...any Web site that contains any pornographic, hate-related, violent, or illegal content..." and they reiterate the policies page where they prohibit pages with ads from displaying content including " Violence, racial intolerance, or advocate against any individual, group, or organization" or "Pornography, adult, or mature content." Taken one way, that could mean I have to be immature, and that I can't complaine about (i.e., "advocate against"), say, Bush or the Republican Party.
Still, I hope that common sense prevails. I won't be muzzled, and if they don't feel comfortable sending ads my way, the worst they can do is cancel the ads and not pay me. (OK--the worst they can do is find some way to shut down my blog. In which case, it'll just rise like a phoenix somewhere else.)
Also, I am encouraged by Google's recent stand against the government's inane, insane, and unconstitutional request for a week's worth of search records. I'm also encouraged that elements of section 10 at least seem to protect me as much as they protect them.
More importantly, I'm also forced to come to this conclusion: Samuel Johnson once said, "No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money." I've had an online project that was just for a hobby. That convinced me he's right. These ads are the only way I can see to get paid for this blog. What good is advocating capitalism if you can't make money doing it?
Labels: BLOG
posted by John at 2/05/2006 10:34:00 AM
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