Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79250 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

#181323 10-Oct-2015 21:25
Send private message

Hi folks

I am currently looking at alternatives to our subscription model, as discussed in another thread. We currently offer a subscription account level, where you can elect to have no ads shown while logged in on Geekzone.

I am interested in testing a new paid service (currently offered for free) that allows users to visit multiple sites and have these sites not show ads - even if not logged in. Publishers get paid based on number of page views. The service is called webpass.

To make it clear:

 

  • Webpass is not an adblocking service
  • Webpass currently works on Chrome and Firefox desktop only
  • Webpass is being designed to be a single subscription service that publishers will query when a page request comes in with special headers populated by its browser add-on
  • Webpass publishers will not show ads to visitors that come with the correct headers (meaning running a browser with the webpass add-on and logged in to their webpass account)
  • Webpass browser add-on needs you to be logged in
  • Webpass is currently free, meaning if you join the trial you get Geekzone with no ads for free
Another interesting thing for users: like the Geekzone subscription, once we detect a visitor with webpass the pages are sent from our servers without any ad script. This means the pages are smaller and should load even faster - faster than adblocked pages in fact, if not the same.

The clear advantage for users is that a single subscription can be used in multiple sites, instead of having to worry about paying multiple subscriptions in different sites - ones that you use more others you use less. Publishers will get paid by webpass based on visits, page views, etc.

I personally think it's a great idea. The service is currently being tested so you might not find all the sites you visit there, but it's worth testing it.

I find this particularly good because of some people who says "I'd pay for Geekzone with no ads" and yet with offer this option but the uptake is low. Perhaps if people had an option for a subscription for multiple sites then it would be more valuable.

I have removed the limit of 15 people. Anyone can join now.

Requirements:

 

  • Must be using Chrome or Firefox on desktop as the service requires an add-on
  • Must create a (for now) free account with this service and login through the add-on
  • Must post feedback here (or via PM) about page load times
  • If you are a Geekzone subscriber then should go to your profile and select "Browse Geekzone with ads" since we should be able to automatically identify you're using the new service and remove ads anyway
The test will last a few weeks so we can measure satisfaction, performance, etc.

To be clear if we adopt this new service we plan to keep both the Geekzone subscription and the new service.

Interested? Click here to register for webpass and post below when you join.






Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSyncBackblaze backup


Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ... | 9
michaelmurfy
meow
13240 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1403688 11-Oct-2015 00:37
Send private message

Am seeing the occasional ad come through using this service:

Click to see full size

However assuming you're not using mobile devices or a browser without this addon it seems to be working essentially as fast as having a subscription. 




Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.




gzt

gzt
17104 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #1403689 11-Oct-2015 02:38
Send private message

Early test results : ). Chrome for Android does not support extensions.

https://developer.chrome.com/multidevice/faq

i did not know this. I keep a basic browsing experience on mobile so I can see the positives of that for Google as well. Maybe Google is taking a leaf out of the Apple/flash book there and prioritising the Android user experience.

So for Android, Firefox is required for the benefits.

michaelmurfy
meow
13240 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1403760 11-Oct-2015 10:42
Send private message

I am finding the discussions on the main homescreen no-longer show new discussions when I know they're in-fact new.

Click to see full size




Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.




freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79250 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1403763 11-Oct-2015 11:06
Send private message

This is unrelated as there are no changes to those bits of the site.




Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSyncBackblaze backup


zocster
1983 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1403765 11-Oct-2015 11:12
Send private message

Interested pm please or you have my details




 

Andy Ghozali
Geekzone Member

Logo
E: andy@ghozali.ru
M: +64 21 395 458
A: Andy's Business Services, 231 High St, Christchurch 8011, NZ
www.andy.mobifacebook icon linkedin icon instagram icon 

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79250 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1404571 12-Oct-2015 18:36
Send private message

michaelmurfy: Am seeing the occasional ad come through using this service:

Click to see full size

However assuming you're not using mobile devices or a browser without this addon it seems to be working essentially as fast as having a subscription. 


Yes, that was happening in the forums where we had exclusive ads (only one ad per page, 100% for a single company). This was the Online Streaming forum. Fixed now.





Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSyncBackblaze backup


freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79250 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1404572 12-Oct-2015 18:37
Send private message


Folks, notice that I have added some more to the OP describing the service and a link for anyone to register now.







Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSyncBackblaze backup


 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

gzt

gzt
17104 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #1404697 12-Oct-2015 22:13
Send private message

Does it need to be the same email address as for geekzone or is it smarter and detects on site logon etc?

mdf

mdf
3513 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1404700 12-Oct-2015 22:33
Send private message

Do you know if there/will there be any way to see the partner websites? Looks like a good idea but it's hard to assess without knowing where the $5-$10 (US? NZ?) per month could go.

Though I realise this is a query for webpass, not Geekzone.

michaelmurfy
meow
13240 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1404702 12-Oct-2015 22:38
Send private message

Well I can tell you it is rather good as far as subscription technologies go. Mauricio has done an excellent job at implementing it.




Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.


freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79250 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1404711 12-Oct-2015 23:14
Send private message

gzt: Does it need to be the same email address as for geekzone or is it smarter and detects on site logon etc?


It can be any address. You log into the browser add-on and it will send a special header with each request. Our server uses that header to validate the subscription. This also means you can visit Geekzone and see no ads even if you aren't logged into our forums.

mdf: Do you know if there/will there be any way to see the partner websites? Looks like a good idea but it's hard to assess without knowing where the $5-$10 (US? NZ?) per month could go. Though I realise this is a query for webpass, not Geekzone.


That's right. But currently they are working through it - looking through the registrations and where traffic is going to them contact those publishers.

michaelmurfy: Well I can tell you it is rather good as far as subscription technologies go. Mauricio has done an excellent job at implementing it.


Thanks... I think it's an interesting idea, it complements our own subscription and other initiatives without pushing ads...






Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSyncBackblaze backup


zocster
1983 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1404728 13-Oct-2015 02:27
Send private message

have notified the powers that be of mobile nations ... let's see if they buy into it...




 

Andy Ghozali
Geekzone Member

Logo
E: andy@ghozali.ru
M: +64 21 395 458
A: Andy's Business Services, 231 High St, Christchurch 8011, NZ
www.andy.mobifacebook icon linkedin icon instagram icon 

mentalinc
3226 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1404734 13-Oct-2015 06:34
Send private message

So you still get tracked by the advertisers (they are sent your headers and decide not to push ads), and you're now personally identified via the headers I assume.

 

 

They just make their money from the subs and then by knowing more about you and providing you ads on "non supported" sites?




CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB:  Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

 

Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX 


reven
3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1404738 13-Oct-2015 06:54
Send private message

page load times seem fast, but theyve always seemed fast :)

If you subscribe via webpass, would you get the nice "Subscriber" link under your name? I assume no?

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79250 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1404739 13-Oct-2015 07:05
Send private message

mentalinc: So you still get tracked by the advertisers (they are sent your headers and decide not to push ads), and you're now personally identified via the headers I assume.

They just make their money from the subs and then by knowing more about you and providing you ads on "non supported" sites?


No.

Advertisers are never involved. Webpass tells me you are a subscriber, we remove the ad codes before sending page out.

Read description again.




Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSyncBackblaze backup


 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ... | 9
Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.