Sorry about the cookie popup folks.

[Tom Speirs]

Its just mandatory European Union red tape BS.

Maybe I can marry a nice American or Canadian lady and get out of it!

[Adultery]

FarmersOnly.com slash Tom!!! :-)

[hansolo77]

It's weird though. If this is some new law, this is the only website I've been to that's had mention of it. Not too worried about. Good call covering your butt though.

[Tom Speirs]

Because smaller companies or hobbyists dont bother and big companies in Europe detect that your in Europe before showing it or just flaunt the law and pay the fine.

Google are asking for it now so that's why you might start to see it more.

[stigzler]

Appreciate your mindfulness, Tom. I forgot to put the ubiquitous cookie popup in my html5 rant. Whatever happened to "3 clicks"??

[Tom Speirs]

Screw it, its gone. Ive removed the ads so now I comply.

Enjoy the ad free forums!

[stigzler]

Good man. Just when you think the world's gone to capitalizing, self-serving s**t, someone comes along to restore your faith.

[tthurman]

I appreciate that Tom is the stand up guy he is, and preventing us from an annoying popup, but at the same time it's pretty lame he can't recover some of his costs from some ads. My point being is that it's happening on most any site you visit, and I'm sure most would rather deal with a few banner ads they can easily ignore vs. other less appealing options. Many of my favorite sites, slahsdot, anandtech, techspot, gee to many to name really, all do the same thing, they just aren't subjected to some bonehead nonsense regulation.

[DazzleHP]

This is a typical example of a useless David vs Goliath law, that only punishes David, and lets Goliath run free with little to no consequence. Why? Coz Goliath is bigger than David. Much bigger.

It's been reported enough times that Goliath Corps ignore the law and will do what they please - because all that will happen is a miniscule fine, probably. If you have a 50 billion annual turnover, a 100K fine is hilarious, in fact most of these organisations can sneeze that kind of money and wipe it on their backsides.

So the point is? To punish legitimate small businesses/organisations. So you strive to be a Goliath and ignore the law.

If you think i'm BS'in just Google search it. Google themselves ignore pretty much any law that concerns them - because they can pay the fines without consequence, and carry on regardless. Many do the same. These ridiculous laws only ever affect the hardworking/small guy.

/rant

[stigzler]

I'd rather pay to support small enterprises than encourage advertising. I'm sick of it. Would happily repeat my subs to GEx to support the ongoing cause. I think the removal of the ads shows true integrity -however - understand your point, tthurman - can understand how some communities with overheads might choose advertising. However, I do wonder in those whether if you gave the community members a choice - they'd prefer subs over ads (e.g. emumovies)

In short, I'm old, grumpy and hate the world.

not really - just hate this free-market economy model that seems to not only be prevailing but getting worse. I mean, what is it, the bleeding 1950s or something!? Time to move on to a new idea, world... the old one nearly bust us all 6 years ago - lets learn from our mistakes...

[Tom Speirs]

As an old git myself I am trying to move in that direction so don't worry. The younger generation is the issue though.

[hansolo77]

Everything that has been said is true. Yet why do those big business companies (like Google) still have advertising? If they make the $50b, why do they need advertiser support in the first place? When I was younger, I remember an ad-free internet. Now it's all commercialized, like Christmas. These guys gotta realize that people are blocking their ads. So why have them in the first place, especially if they're going to be fined (regardless if they can pay it or not).

[DazzleHP]

If they make the $50b, why do they need advertiser support in the first place? These guys gotta realize that people are blocking their ads. So why have them in the first place, especially if they're going to be fined (regardless if they can pay it or not).

Because 90% of people on the internet don't know how to use the internet, and 90% of government officals in charge of law still use pen and paper, and think a touchscreen is "magic".

[tthurman]

Where are you seeing google with banner ads?

They hold the keys to the kingdom when it comes to what's showing up from your searches. As far as I can tell, they don't need advertisements.