MJ's new "Read-Gate" on Articles

[marty904]

Popped open MJ, as i do each morning, only to find that every single article I tried to read has a new (and very Jacksonville.com-esque) "read gate" on it. I guess MJ is now trying to funnel its readers through a new advertising medium.  One part you missed though is the actual questions that get the read-gate lifted so there is nothing but a bunch of gray bars where the news should be.

I suppose the annoying McDonalds ads weren't sufficient?  Oh well, it's too bad... If every news article will have some sort of ad questions to answer before you can read anything, I'll stick to the forums, until that gets restricted.

[Rob68]

+1

[thelakelander]

^Sorry for the trouble. We're testing Google Consumer Surveys for 7-10 days as an alternative to not cluttering the site with annoying ads but still keeping operations self-sufficient. The way it is supposed to work is our readers would have to answer one question or share one story to access a full month of articles, but not be asked to pay for anything (basically an alternative to a paywall). If working right, you should only get it once every 30 days. If you're getting completely blacked out, with no means of access, then something is not working on Google's end. We may have to remove and figure out the technical issue. Again, sorry for the inconvenience.

[Rob68]

Cant read one article. .just the headlines..i guess ill get my news somewhere else thats commerical free...im sick of ads...the world needs less ads..

[thelakelander]

I agree. The fact that you visit consistently suggests this place offers a service that you equate to having some value. I'd like for it to remain.

However, unfortunately sites like this can only operate on donated time for so long. Either we can (A) find ways evolve to be financially self-sufficient on our own, (B) ask you directly to pay to help maintain operations (I doubt this would be an attractive or viable option), (C) go non-profit and ask you to pay to help maintain operations or (D) end and move on to something else (My lady would like that but I think Jax loses if this happens).

That's the harsh reality we face in 2015. I can't speak for the others who help operate MJ, but my mindset at the moment is making it financially self sufficient where it can continue to survive and grow. I'm all open to suggestions on how to make that happen.

Btw, you should be able to access the stories now. Sorry for the trouble this morning.

[urbanlibertarian]

I'm fine with ads as long as they don't fill up my RAM and slow things down.  Answering a survey question monthly would be fine with me.

[KenFSU]

This is why we can't have nice things.

Sad that this site has contributed so many positive things to the city and promoted so much constructive discourse, yet people can't be bothered to fill out a quick monthly survey.

Make it weekly, hell make it daily if it helps keep the site solvent.

[mbwright]

A 'hobby' site would not have the extensive amount of info that is presented on a daily basis.   Keep up the great work that it takes manage a site such as this, and be useful.   There is a lot behind the scenes that make this all possible.

[Gunnar]

LAKELANDER ET AL...THIS IS BULLS**T. I woke up this morning like like I do everyday (bitter) and go to get my FREE news that you provide for me and low and behold it's NOT F'ING FREE ANYMORE. BULLS**T!!! Well technically it's still free but I have to DOOOO something to get my FREE news.

Who do you schmucks think you are changing up the FREE website I like to peruse. Get donations or use your own money if there are costs to run this site.
Well I am not going to get my news here any longer. F'ing ads. I'm going to start reading the NYT and the WSJ where the news is FREE (wait..what, that isn't free?)

Sites like this are so much better when they are run as someones hobby, volunteering time and money, rather than when they are run as a business.

Apache is out. Syonara

Um, was that irony / sarcasm ? I'd love to believe it is but I'm not sure....

[coredumped]

Um, was that irony / sarcasm ? I'd love to believe it is but I'm not sure....

Yeah WTH, I'm not sure either.

Unfortunately, "Apache is out. Syonara" so now we may never know

[thelakelander]

LOL!

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

It's all well and good until the site loads up on Archer Western / St. Joe Co. ads and Lake is writing editorial after editorial about the needs for our 3rd/4th beltway in the name of solid, sustainable development practices.

[Tacachale]

I experienced a glitch with the survey, or whatever it is, on my phone this morning, but it's not there anymore on any of my devices. I have absolutely no problem doing periodic surveys or seeing ads on your site.

[InnerCityPressure]

Agreed.  Bring on the ads and surveys.  Get dat money.  Stephen's morning shower should look like this:

[ProjectMaximus]

^now that's some dirty money