Thank Grog It’s Firday!
I mean it. I am really, really glad that it is Firday…as I really, really, really need a(nother) drink. Lucky for us, this latest update is ALL about drinking, and carousing, and getting pounded…as is our right to do! It is protected by our Constitution…right? Or it was…until it wasn’t…and then was again. No wonder Homer feels the need to make his own bathtub gin.
But, the real reason that I am in need of some liquid diversion, is that yet once again, someone(s) decided it was important to “school us” on the annoying nature of the ads that pop up when you use this site. And while Alissa is generally more inclined to try to explain the “why we use WordPress” and why we have ads to help pay the freight in a nice way… I am more inclined to revert to my CrankyOldGuyness…and remind people that NOTHING is free. Nothing.
This game isn’t free (although you can play for free if you are willing to not place any value on your time). This site isn’t free (although the advice and entertainment we dispense doesn’t cost you a nickle). And, being part of a community isn’t free, even though you do have the option of sitting in the corner and just taking the assets that are offered by others, without contributing.
But, even more important…there is a true VALUE on what those “annoying ads” provide to the team here, as well as many, many others who benefit.
This is the chance to just move on…or perhaps treat the rest of this post like you would an “ad blocker,” (which is always an option if you are annoyed by ads). Because, I am about to be really, really, really honest about why we do what we do…and for whom.
As many of you know, I ran “another site” for years, that was in most ways, a direct competitor of this site. You can find the details on other posts…but, the bottom line, is that doing a daily site, to millions of readers, is unbelievably time consuming and tiring. I simply had run out of enough reasons to continue it…even though loads of readers were pissed…and have never totally forgiven me for quitting, and “joining the enemy.”
That last line is completely nuts. Because the fact is…when you stand back and look at the TSTO Blog-O-Sphere…to claim anything but your own little piece of this global insane asylum would be nuts. Anyone who takes any of this so seriously as to offer advice to anyone who is nuts enough to do this daily, is even more insane than the people doing this insane job in the first place. Plenty of insanity to go around, folks.
It is thankless. It is overwhelmingly tedious.,,and yet, we do it.
When someone implies that Alissa is “making loads of money” from the site, they are making it clear that they don’t understand how “ad words” and the monetization process works. It varies…month to month…and is affected greatly by the ebb and flow of the game. Some months it makes about as much as a poorly paid minimum wage restaurant worker would make (without tips). Other months, it makes as much as that worker with their hours cut in half. Nobody is getting rich from this, especially if you affixed an hourly rate of return on the time invested. There are WAY better ways to make money…like collecting bottles to redeem for their .10 deposit.
We do it, because we can…and still love the game…even when we hate the game…and yes, that makes sense to anyone who plays regularly.
I have an agreement with Alissa to receive a small percentage of the monthly take, that goes directly into our work in Uganda. If it weren’t for the ability of TSTO blogging to add some sort of “Do it for a GOOD Reason” factor to all of this…I would have stopped years ago.
But, do in large part to Alissa, her Family Guy counterpart “Russian Tigger” and a very few of you who donate when asked…the work continues.
THESE are the faces of why I not only continue to write for Addicts…but, also put up with the ads (the same way as all of you) when I visit the site.
These kids’ test scores went up from 23% passing to 92% passing…because they now have books and school supplies, and clean drinking water, and shoes, and bathrooms, and more…bought almost entirely from TSTO contributions and ad revenue. There are 273 kids in the Buyijja Village school in Uganda…who rely on funding from this site and those who visit it. THAT is worth continuing…
So…the next time you want to whine about an ad on this site…please don’t. There are simply more important things in the world…and you don’t know the WHOLE story.
Don’t like it? Leave…or get an ad blocker. No worries. Because we know in the long run, the people that “get it,” and don’t mind a little inconvenience as payment for doing something that matters, or at the very least, saying “thank you” to Alissa for countless hours every week…will continue to be valued and treasured by those of us in the TSTO trenches.
Nothing more to say on the topic. I’ve found that truth usually speaks more loudly to those who are listening with open ears and hearts to hear it…or something like that.
Meanwhile…I’m gonna go have another drink. It’s past 5P somewhere…and it has been a week that deserves to be capped off with some suds.
ALSo, aren’t the ads a person sees based on what they personally look at on their phone? So to the person complaining about an x rated ad (I think that’s what the original troll said) maybe you should take a minute to reflect or at least use your phones incognito mode.. just a thought
True👍
I just have to say, hats off to you addicts team! The fact that this little site based on a little mobile game brings so much help to children who desperately need assistance brings tears to my eyes. You have hearts of gold and you have my utmost respect! To go from 23% passing to 92% is no easy feat and this site makes it possible. I’ve lost interest in the game recently, but if continuing to read on about it and deal with ads (WHICH ARE NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL I DONT KNOW WHY PEOPLE COMPLAIN) will help in any way then I am happy to do so! Is there any place I can donate directly to those children?
Maybe it’s because I only view the site from my phone, but I never get the pop ups people complain about, or anything making any noise. Most days it’s ads for sites I’ve been to. Things I’ve viewed on Amazon, the latest sale at DAVIDsTEA, things that manage to get me to click through to investigate at least once a week, but nothing at all bothersome.
That said, even if they were… in what world would the internet be ad free when TV and radio aren’t? The people who create/provide the content have to pay for it going out in the world somehow. I don’t even understand the point to complaining over such a minor inconvenience when the help this site provides has been so invaluable to me since I found it.
That’s because you get it… some others? Not so much.
The ads have never bothered me, and I allow them to load. The screen hijacking one I just refresh the page. Love this site as it helps makes sense of the events and offers a wonderful community to be a part of. Thanks to everything that you at TSTO do otherwise I think I would probably not still be playing this game. Ignore the few nay sayers and know most get why things are the way they are. 😎🌹
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Very happy to help, knowing the revenue from Family Guy Addicts goes to such a good cause will keep me blogging as long as I or the game allows.
I see the ads but they never really bother me. Does one have to click the ads to help the kids in Uganda? Or their presence in the website enough to do so?
Anyway, i appreciate the work you guys have done here. and the whole tsto addicted community who chip in as well. But now i found out that somewhere in africa, kids are getting better lives, i dont care if i suddenly get pop up ads or whatever! Keep on keeping on and stay golden, patric, alissa, and supersafi, and everybody!
Their presence on the site is all it takes..as long as you see them. Clicking does help a little extra to some extent, but you don’t need to click to help 🙂
You are an amazing person, RT! Thanks so much… your support is invaluable!
being a beer reference, i thought for sure you would squeeze in the term firkin.
Well said Patric, thank you. As if to emphasise your point, the ad that popped up just before I started reading your post was for The Nature Conservancy, a fine non-profit organisation that has done a great deal of very good work for the well-being of the natural world. Not all ads that pop up here are commercial dreck.
Cranky Old Guy, talking sense on the Intertubes – is that allowed? 🙂
( I hpoe so, because I’m 50 next year!)
There are sites I visit frequently that have the ad-blocker turned up to max, so that I have a faint chance of finding the info I need, but this is one of the many, almost all fan-run (in the best sense!), sites that had the ad-blocker disabled the second time I visited…
With the ads on, I find it amusing to split the ads into three categories:
1, stuff that I know where I was looking at it
2, stuff that is a plausible extension from 1,
3, “Where the bleep did that come from”
So you shouldn’t find me complaining about them – I understand the need for them, and I get a few seconds amusement 🙂
I’m getting too old for this, I’m 60 next year, not 50!
Advertising on this small scale doesn’t bother me. The ads don’t cover contents and most important,… no annoying sounds!
Thanks guy, great effort on site content, without your help I would struggle with the events, so many times I come here looking for help and advice, I sometimes comment and feel part of the tsto community and as for the ads they don’t interfere with my enjoyment in reading your posts and getting help from all your brilliant event guides, BIG thank you to all you guys 😀😁😂😃😄😆😊😉
This is an amazing site that we get for free. I wouldn’t keep playing without this wonderful community you have created for us. Also you have explained things about playing I would never have figured out. You guys deserve to enjoy your millions. Kidding. Hope you at least break even. Anything above is well earned.
That last line says it all. Trust me…I wouldn’t do the amount of work that Alissa does for any amount of money… It is a TON of work…and the rest of us boys just do the fun stuff.
Bravo and I look forward to your Friday missives, Patric.
Thanks, Rick!
There are times when I really don’t get people…..sigh. I saw the original post from this person and thought STFU. The rebel in me wants all of you on the next podcast (tomorrow I believe) to each do a 60 second commercial for your favorite charity. I feel it would be more entertaining then talking about the last event or the current mini one. This blog is more than TSTO but if people need to be told SIB so be it, I can live with it.
Yet another fantastic article Patric! I do enjoy the hard work you all put into making this site run. If all I have to “pay” is putting up with a few ad’s, then it is a small price on my end.
i apologize for what the idiots do. Whenever there is a good thing happening, an idiot goes and complains about it because it isn’t “good enough”. Obviously, they still use the site, but rather than just ignoring it, they complain. And these ads aren’t even bad. On my page i only see 5. None of them move, they don’t cause any problems, just read around them. The hours this site saves are worth a few ad’s People these days!
Sorry, i’m ranting and getting off topic.
Anyway…
Up until today, i was a fan of the dedication to the game, and helping people with everything from Installing updates, To bugs, To Should I Buy This, to Safi’s strategy, Events, and more (where did that come from,caption this, Friday filler, episode recap, etc).
Not anymore.
Now i am simply Blown away by what you are doing, not only for us players of the game, but the Buyijja Village school in Uganda. I think its amazing what you do, and all of the staff is the best! Don’t let one idiot get you down! You guys do great! Some people just hate for no reason. I love what you do.
The work we do in Buyijja gives back more than anything else we could do with the money… it gives me a pass fir doing something as silly as TSTO.
Thank you for the kind words. We have a huge project we are starting.. i’ll Keep you informed.
im curious already! unfortunently, i am not able to donate or anything, although if i could i would. the only thing i can offer is words of encouraging and support. I think this is a great use for the money. Add to it the fact that you must spend hours upon hours working for it? You are very impressive people. God bless you all.
Im curious already! If i could donate money, i would, but unfortunately, i cant. What you all do is amazing. This site is incredible. what you do with the money? Even more so. Keep up the great work, dont let haters get you down. 3 things are infinite in this universe, death, taxes, and human stupidity. I love what you do.
God Bless you all.
Although I use an ad blocker on my PC, I do not on my phone. I will absolutely not complain about the ads or the necessity of having them, but I will complain about the company screening the ads, because more than once I’ve been hit with a “your computer is infected!” popup, and there is no excuse for that (not your guys’ fault)
Dang……ever click on Yandy.com ad?
With my tongue firmly in my cheek…
A man whose photo and Avatar CONSTANTLY advertising University of Oregon writing about advertising on this site?
At least you could promote OSU – Go Beavers – a landlocked institution with a Great Oceanography Program.
OTOH, perhaps Alissa can file the necessary paperwork, make this site a non-profit, get rid of the ads and charge us $50/years?
Rich, Rich, Rich!
Lol. Well…I didn’t even get into the point that for most of my adult life I have been involved in advertising and marketing. And the ads still bug me! But…that said, advertising is still what keeps most content in the world “free.”
People who complain about ads don’t know how sites like this work!
For those of us who do and for whoever reads this I have an idea!
On St. Patrick’s day ( Saturday March 17th).. No matter where in the world or what time zone you’re in.. Click on 1 single add while visiting this site! Pretty simple way to show your support..
Or if you partake in St’ Paddys day 1 click for every green beer 🙂
P.s. I’m serious if you down hit like.
I am always a believer in supporting the work of those who you enjoy the work they do!
That is why I will buy the paid version of an app or game on my phone I like, that is why buy $5 or $10 worth of donuts a few times year (in spite of successfully farming over 50 donuts a day currently), and why I never use an ad blocker on websites I enjoy and value and do great work!!!
As long as you keep it up, I will be displaying ads on your site nearly on a daily basis…..
I’ll admit it.. I really don’t understand how web ads work… I never really gave it much thought, honestly. What can I do to help support the site (and the citizens of Buyijja)? Do I just need to let the ads load passively in my browser, do I actively have to click the ads and visit the sponsor’s site (and how long do I have to spend at the site so you guys get your credit?), and/or do I have to actually buy something from the vendor?
Other than ads, let me “support” you Patric, Alyssa, Chewie, et al, in that I appreciate you guys and what you do for us Addicts. This is site is an invaluable resource that I visit daily (usually), sometimes more if there’s lots going on. So Thanks for all you do. *Hugs*
You are far from ordinary, Bob. Your support of our work is invaluable.
LOL – People often miss the letter “il” in OrdinarILyBob. Heh. So while I am “usually” Bob, I’ve never claimed to be ordinary. 😉 LOL
Kind words sir, I am touched. Honestly, I thank YOU for the opportunity. Sometimes I’m down for… Reasons. And when I am, it’s good to be able to help others when I can. Makes me feel better about my own blessings, which are plentiful despite my occasional down feelings. Ya know? I’m glad I found this outlet for helping others, and I wouldn’t have if you weren’t standing tall for others in need and waving a flag around which people like me could rally. Thanks Patric to you and your family. My support only came because of you.
Anyway, Buyijja aside… As far as Addicts… you didn’t really answer my Ad questions ;P~, but I’ve read yours and Alyssa’s responses to others, so I get that passively viewing is enough, clicking helps a little more. Acknowledged. 🙂
The ads on todays page will be hit more than usual methinks
I read everything through the app so I never get that issue, and if I was viewing it from a PC it would hardly be an issue, heck it wouldn’t even be one. Whats an extra click worth to you when it’s worth a heck of a lot more to those people in Uganda. I’m sure people visit many other site of different varieties that you need to close their ads to manoeuvre to your content and its not an issue.
C’mon, there’s bigger issues in the world than an ad!
Well said Patric and thanks for the enlightenment. You all do a fantastic job on here and I’m thankful for it.
Theres an app??? whats it called … I dont mind the ads when im viewing the site on my PC (although the one time i left it open all day I came back to firefox chewing up 4gigs of ram from this page for some unknown reason) its when i view it from my phone they seem to get in the way
Search TSTO Addicts in your app store
Well said you cranky curmudgeon you.
I am not one to complain about the ads on a site like this. It’s the nature of the beast. I understand their importance to the structure of the interwebs. However, I have noticed that they have become intrusively more abundant as of late on the old TSTO addicts. As I was scrolling down reading this post I counted the same Ad 6 times. It used to be one or two ads per page, but 6! Really? Again I don’t care, it is what it is. I just hope the curators of this blog are reaping the benefits of me having to subject myself to all this corporate mindbending, and not some suit in a corner office somewhere.
We don’t control where the ads show up…or their content. Only that they are allowed. So, thanks for your supooert, and patience.
Learned another word: “curmudgeon”
While I’ve not been a regular commenter, I have been a part of this site since I started playing TSTO, which was right after the original “Whacking Day” event. I really do appreciate what y’all do for us.
Some folks just love to stir the pot. Just ignore them. Y’all keep doing what you do best….keeping me from making bad decisions with my sprinklies!!
Thanks for your effort on this site.
In order to have a pleasant reading experience, I always wait for 4 seconds before scrolling, so that all the ads are already loaded and won’t keep “pushing” the page down.
Just a slight adjustment to the mind set.
Small price to pay… and letting them load does your part in helping! Thanks!
Thank you to all of you that work on the blog. I don’t mind the ads and am glad they are able to help you guys (even if it’s just in a small way).
Well said Patric!
Enjoy your drink!
I would like you to know how much I appreciate what you all do for us and how much I rely on you to keep me updated on the game.
You may feel it is a thankless task, but there are a lot of us out here who are very thankful to you guys so I would like to say:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Just realized I forgot to mention the ads. They are those pictures round the edges aren’t they? I just concentrate on the writing in the middle. That’s how much I am bothered by them.
Thanks, Jack!
Ads aren’t a big deal.
Sometimes scroll past them with ease. Other times help the site with a click here and there.
And sometimes they’re actually of interest 🙂
The quality of the assistance and how it shows that ya’ll enjoy the game like I do, keeps me always coming back
Thanks for getting it!