OT: Adverts (was: Funny Linux animation)

[bscott at ntisys.com]

On Wed, 29 Jan 2003, at 12:55pm, pll at lanminds.com wrote:
> Flash used as ads are bad because I don't have the option of not watching
> it!

  I think that's rather the point.

  I favor alternatives to advertising as a way of funding content production
and distribution.  But, I do wonder if people are prepared to accept the
consequences.  Even if people are willing to give away their content,
distribution is not free, and the more popular something gets, the higher
the distribution costs.

  How many people here clicked the button on the page hosting those
animations to donate a dollar to cover the site's bandwidth bill?

  I am not saying anyone here should feel obligated to make a donation to
that site.  I am not saying filtering adverts is morally or legally wrong
(the way ad execs would like it to be).  Nor am I saying that new content
will stop being produced if the traditional distribution channels stop being
profitable.  I am not predicting the imminent death of the Internet[1].

  What I *am* trying to do is make people stop and think about these issues.
Remember always the all-powerful rule of TANSTAAFL[2].  And be careful what
you wish for.


Footnotes
---------
[1] http://makeashorterlink.com/?J1E442643 (Jargon File)
[2] http://www.catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/entry/TANSTAAFL.html 

-- 
Ben Scott <bscott at ntisys.com>
| The opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do  |
| not represent the views or policy of any other person or organization. |
| All information is provided without warranty of any kind.              |