Google Ads

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Just saying, not complaining but I just saw, as I was floating off to another thread, that there was an advert for Bosch at the bottom of the 'new content' screen. We had a visit from a Bosch engineer 90 minutes ago and I afterwards downloaded a set of my dishwasher instructions.

Coincidence?

MG

[J.A.W.]

Ok, in light of the very tepid response from the current fundraiser, I've added a small banner ad to the bottom of the forum. I think it's pretty out of the way, all things considered. I've also added an Amazon search widget to the index page. If you use that widget to access items on Amazon and purchase something, we get a cut. Please consider using it during this holiday season.

Thanks!

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I can't remember the reply (getting older and all that ) - do you also get a cut when something is ordered from an Amazon Marketplace seller?

Edited December 5, 2012 by J.A.W.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Just saying, not complaining but I just saw, as I was floating off to another thread, that there was an advert for Bosch at the bottom of the 'new content' screen. We had a visit from a Bosch engineer 90 minutes ago and I afterwards downloaded a set of my dishwasher instructions.

Coincidence?

MG

Yes, it must be - I've just seen it again and it's an ad for Bosch car batteries.

Nasty suspicious mind, that is

MG

[JSngry]

I'd think that some ads are triggered by some of the cookies you have on your computer. So if you visited a Bosch site, you probably picked up a Bosch cookie or two.

Some also seem to be triggered by thread topic. Peeked in at the NFL thread the other day and there was an ad for airfare to the Super Bowl, or something like that.

On the internet, true anonymity and/or invisibility takes more time and effort than most of us are willing to expend, so being a sitting duck for targeted advertising is pretty much one of the new facts of life.

[BillF]

Just saying, not complaining but I just saw, as I was floating off to another thread, that there was an advert for Bosch at the bottom of the 'new content' screen. We had a visit from a Bosch engineer 90 minutes ago and I afterwards downloaded a set of my dishwasher instructions.

Coincidence?

MG

No coincidence. My wife googled UK flights for her sister and London properties for our daughter. Shortly afterwards Organissimo brought me offers for both.

[Jim Alfredson]

Ok, in light of the very tepid response from the current fundraiser, I've added a small banner ad to the bottom of the forum. I think it's pretty out of the way, all things considered. I've also added an Amazon search widget to the index page. If you use that widget to access items on Amazon and purchase something, we get a cut. Please consider using it during this holiday season.

Thanks!

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I can't remember the reply (getting older and all that ) - do you also get a cut when something is ordered from an Amazon Marketplace seller?

As far as I know, yes.

Concerning the ads, that's how Google works. It uses your search queries, cookies, and what you're currently looking at to determine what ads might be relevant to you. For example, I was just reading an email from a friend asking my opinion on what photograph he should print and now there's an ad at the bottom regarding making your own photography book. Welcome to the world of Google. We all just live here.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Just saying, not complaining but I just saw, as I was floating off to another thread, that there was an advert for Bosch at the bottom of the 'new content' screen. We had a visit from a Bosch engineer 90 minutes ago and I afterwards downloaded a set of my dishwasher instructions.

Coincidence?

MG

No coincidence. My wife googled UK flights for her sister and London properties for our daughter. Shortly afterwards Organissimo brought me offers for both.

Well, a car battery wouldn't get your sister-in-law far off the ground, even if she stuck her fingers in the holes

MG

[Quincy]

On the internet, true anonymity and/or invisibility takes more time and effort than most of us are willing to expend, so being a sitting duck for targeted advertising is pretty much one of the new facts of life.

Speaking of "sitting duck" one could use http://duckduckgo.com to search as they claim they don't follow you around. I remember it and then forget it, plus I already have so many cookies that it seems pointless. It might make for an interesting experiment if I could stick with it.

[JSngry]

Any idea what this thing is supposed to be/do?

[Quincy]

Any idea what this thing is supposed to be/do?

It's sort of like the Hello Kitty. Years ago the San Francisco designer teamed up with a company in Japan to make a Smoking Rabbit. The Japanese company printed it as Smorkin Labbit which the designer thought was much cooler. As far it what it does, why it brings joy to girls & boys.

Edited December 10, 2012 by Quincy

[JSngry]

So...what does it do? Smoke real cigarettes? Exude smelly steam? Just sit there and look cool?

[Quincy]

So...what does it do? Smoke real cigarettes? Exude smelly steam? Just sit there and look cool?

Just the latter. Think of it more as art than an action figure. Though I dunno, it probably plays in weird ways with G.I. Joe or Barbie.