Durante questi ultimi anni da questo inizio dei blog, rebuffed le offerte per incorporare o fonderci con altri luoghi, l'introito sulla garanzia corporativa, la carica per la pubblicità le bandiere o degli annunci usando del testo, o i soldi della carica ai fornitori per il servizio che forniamo.
Basti dire, quelle cose semplicemente non stanno andando accadere. Mentre qualche giorno vorremmo questo blog per fare qualcosa che renda a soldi (T-shirts di vendita con il nostro marchio per esempio) a supporto il costo meager degli aggiornamenti e delle edizioni di disegno, non prevediamo mai che il nostro desiderio imprenditoriale sorpasserà mai il desiderio continuare questo blog con un senso di earnestness, di integrità e dell'imparzialità. Come tali, ora caratterizziamo fiero il marchio che vedete qui che ora sono visualizzati fiero sul nostro sidebar.
Aggiungendo questo marchio, funzioniamo sotto questi locali:
1. Che siamo opposti all'uso di pubblicità corporativa sui blogs.
2. Che riteniamo l'uso di pubblicità corporativa sui blogs svaluta il mezzo.
3. Che non accettiamo i soldi in cambio dello spazio di pubblicità sul nostro blog.
Ancora, vorremmo citare l'autore del L'annuncio libera Blog il luogo inviando suo commenta questa edizione, che echeggiano i nostri propri sentimenti:
Perchè vi preoccupate? Non potete giusto ignorare gli annunci? Ho annunci sul mio blog ma non interessa che cosa scrivo.
Molti bloggers dicono che non lasceranno gli annunci interessare il soddisfare editoriale. Metto in discussione questa dichiarazione. Potete garantire quello? E sapendo che la gente è offerta a soldi “a menzione„ un prodotto sul loro luogo non voi iniziano a domandarsi se qualcuno sta suggerendo qualcosa in un senso imparziale? We live in a culture where advertisers directly influence and in some cases control and create the culture at large. Honesty of the writing is affected when corporate interests are paying the bills. This has been proven time and time again in the case of periodicals, films, and television. The more ads that appear on blogs the less we will all trust in honesty of the medium as a whole.
The byproduct of this is that blogging medium (as with many/most others forms of media in our culture, magazines, news, film, etc.) is now *influenced/controlled* by large corporations. If you don’t know why this is a problem I highly recommend the film “the corporation,” which explains in a succinct way why most large corporations have no accountability, and are only about the bottom line throwing public welfare and the health of the planet to the wayside.
We, and the writers who take their time to participate with this blog, do so because they love doing so and not because of any promise of financial gain. We will strive to continue this for as long as this blog is in existence.
You may now resume your regularly scheduled blogging….
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Can I get a HELLYEAH for integrity? Way to go guys! I do so want an HZO t-shirt and even more so a Raising the Heat for Autism shirt, cause that one would get people asking questions and interest them in getting involved.
Comment fired by Sam — January 6, 2009- 8:00 pm
What would you call corporate advertising? Small hot sauce companies?
Comment fired by The Truth — January 7, 2009- 9:34 am
‘Corporate’ has the stigma of being attached to larger organizations, but any incorporated entity fits as corporate. Take away that word and just use the word advertising and that is accurate as well.
Comment fired by Joe — January 7, 2009- 9:43 am
I honestly do understand why you are choosing to do this..But i do feel that the little guy is helped by our advertising.As you can see from our site whuch you don’t see on many others/If our reviewers do not like the product they do not hold back..So I would tend to disagree with the ad free site.I trust my reviewers.
Comment fired by The Truth — January 7, 2009- 11:46 am
Truth, you all well within your rights to disagree. However, we are not trying to single out any one other blog for accepting advertising and call them, their reviewers, or the companies dishonest. It’s the process of accepting money for advertising that subverts the neutrality of the review. Glad that you trust your reviewers, but there are plenty of examples out there of trust being violated in this sort of setup. We ain’t gonna play that game, so that’s why this “statement of purpose” that’s upfront on our site so that people know we’re on the straight & narrow when we accept doing any reviews.
Comment fired by Joe — January 7, 2009- 11:58 am
Im not saying that i disagree with you i said the ad free site is what i disagree with.Never said that you where trying to single anyone out..As far as you being on the straight and narrow..Never hought anything less..
Comment fired by The Truth — January 7, 2009- 12:30 pm
Joe - I’ve wired the requested funds to your swiss bank account and you should be in receipt of them by the days end. Now can we get that um, impartial great review on our new products [wink, wink]? Just kidding. I’m not a fan of Big Corporate America either and have had a similar mission statement at Bisummo since it’s inception. It’s nice to have so many great BLOGs out there that give the little people exposure and level the playing field with the goliaths of the industry.
Comment fired by Turk — January 7, 2009- 1:00 pm
I personally place a few Google AdWords ads on my site that displays advertisements based on the keywords in the article. If the post is about hot sauces, there’ll likely be hot sauce ads. If the post is about blue-toed alligators in the southeast U.S., the ads may be wildlife or nature-related. But I do not get to choose which particular advertisers will show up; they display based on Google’s algorithm. For the click or two I get on the ads each day, it makes just enough money to help pay for hosting costs for my websites.
Regarding thehotzoneonline site, I find it a bit ironic displays commercial site links in the “Retailers” and “Sauce Mavens” boxes in the right sidebar. (Yes, I know you don’t get paid for these links; I’m just playing devil’s advocate.;-))
Comment fired by Scott Roberts — January 7, 2009- 4:58 pm
Well, the way I see it, a review is an ad in of itself. Anytime the label is shown, or the name of the sauce is mentioned it’s being advertised. Good review or bad. The exposure is there.
Also, having a list of links to manufacturers and retailers sites is also advertising.
Paid or unpaid, ads are ads. The industry wouldn’t exist without them.
As for ads affecting the integrity of the reviews, that’s hogwash. Hell, I think the fact that the people that run the sites and their reviewers know most of the manufacturers on a personal basis would be more questionable than whether any ads affected the reviews or not. The integrity of the reviewer is at risk with every word they write no matter if there are ads on the site or not. It’s 100% the reviewers responsibility to assure that their writing is unbiased with every word that they type.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I agree with truth.
Comment fired by DK — January 7, 2009- 5:05 pm
I think the biggest issue here is that someone actually agreed with the Truth on something.
How the heck did that happen?
It might be splitting hairs, but links are not advertising. Links are meant to be a courtesy, and do not favor one retailer over another. Also, we do not refuse to add links if requested…assuming they are appropriate for the format of the blog. We also offer links for those who are willing to link back to us as well.
Advertising is for the purposes of selling a product, and elevates one above the others due to placement on the site, special banner or text, or something else that makes the money paid by the advertiser worthwhile. All of our links are in one big list, and are further down the page. Whether that matters is less relevant to this discussion, of course, but we don’t disagree that they must be advertising on some level…just not the overt way of doing so by taking money to prominently display banners or write something positive regardless of the quality of the product.
Keep in mind that reviews are, by nature, very subjective and matters of opinion. We just don’t want them to be “paid opinions” if you get our drift.
Comment fired by Joe & Linda — January 7, 2009- 5:21 pm
OK now that i find myself on the floor after DK agreed with anything I said,,,,,,,,
Hey just to keep the thread going…..
Im sure when people contact us about putting a link to their site on our’s,they are hoping to get some sort of bussiness from it..Hench the word Advertising….RIGHT??
I cant speak for all site’s but we will never take any money or donations what so ever. If you want an honest opinion about your product and a link put up…Hey thats what we are here for.I know that everyone has a different take on what is good and what is bad so after reading a review i make up my own mind if i would be interested in trying the product.
Just my thoughts
Comment fired by The Truth — January 7, 2009- 5:38 pm
You know, I found the logo to the Ad-Free-Blog and even put it up on the site myself. When I did that, I knew comments like this were going to come up. I could almost bet on who they would come from as well. We’ve got a lot of critical thinkers in this community and I’m really happy about that. I think that those who host ads will always advocate them and those who don?t will always oppose them. The bottom line?I think that for some, the line between links, reviews & ads are a bit blurred. But for the sake of simplicity, let?s just say that ads are requested of a site owner to post in the exchange for monetary compensation (this includes Google ads, because you have to post the code to get the $$$). We don?t receive any checks in the mail in exchange for what we do or what we post. The reviews, posts and links “may” generate compensation for those businesses, but never for us. Perhaps we?re honest enough with ourselves to know that on some level we?d want to do more for those who paid us money and we opt not to do that. Or, perhaps I?m just way too over-educated in the psychology profession. Either way, this was not meant to suggest that we are better than others for what we do. But we are “different,” and we like that.
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 6:33 pm
Now I’m going to take that “I could almost Bet on who it would be” comment to heart. but i will say i dont know why in the last few post you guys feel that you need to make sure you tell all of us that you do not take money for anything you do.I thought you made that clear in the original post..You are right no one is better than the next and we all have our own way of doing things.Keep up the good work that you have been doing on this great site.
Comment fired by The Truth — January 7, 2009- 7:01 pm
I reiterated about the money because I was clarifying my position, which included “my” definition, The Truth.
Oh, and you really should take that comment to heart because I was identifying critical thinkers. In short, that was a compliment.
Speaking of compliments, thanks for that last line. It is appreciated more than you know.
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 7:18 pm
Oh, and one more thing, I consider links more like social networking. As with any blog, if I lead my friends to other friends, maybe they’ll be friends. It’s not because one or both will get something if they go there…it’s that they will find another with whom they have something in common.
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 7:23 pm
The last line was an honest take on your site.
I have always enjoyed reading everything that you and Joe put up here.Keep up the great work..
Comment fired by The Truth — January 7, 2009- 7:29 pm
I pay the Advertisers on my site to be there, that way I can have a honest opinion!!!! And that opinion is ” well you know what it is no sense in getting the little turd upset
One thing to keep in mind is that some sites need the Money to keep it going….. Reviewers do not get paid to do reviews (Except here where 75% of the reviews are done by Joe or Linda, thats if you had paid advertising or donations) so why does it matter who pays for advertising?
Did that make sense?
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 7:40 pm
And the thread ends………..
Comment fired by The Truth — January 7, 2009- 7:49 pm
Blane trying to make sense and DK and Truth agreeing all in the same post? Sorry Blane, you failed. We can’t have all miracles happen in 1 day ya know?
Here is my take since I organize at least 90% of the reviews on TTF. I get free products most of the time, so in a way I am getting something out of it even it is not money. I am getting products in exchange for my opinion. The hardest part for me is trying a sauce I do not care for and having to let down a manufacturer. I do not think about whether they have a colorful ad or a link attached to the website, I am concerned in hurting someone looking to make a buck from their product. Yet, it is my job to do the review with as much integrity as I can. So after trying a product in a few different ways, giving it as much chance to succeed as I can, I report my findings good or bad. I just don’t taste it, examine the ingredient label and email my thoughts in.
If a reviewer is thinking about anything else other than the product review itself when writing it, then they shouldn’t be doing the review to begin with. If you say you like everything all the time, you also should not be doing reviews. The manufacturer spent the money to send you their products and as much as they wish you would be doing cartwheels for their product, the truth will set them free.(no pun intended).
So whether you do not accept money for ads or openly seek them out is irrelevant to your reviewer(s). Gratuities could easily be sent with any care package. Bribes are something that happen, but I do not believe any of the people we do business with have that kind of “influence” to pay any of us off to begin with.
The “AD FREE” sign is a symbol to let manufacturers know that HZO is different from the other chilehead review venues. It is an intriguing marketing concept and I applaud the ingenuity of it. Yet, in a way that “AD FREE” sign is an oxymoron. It is an ad unto itself. Blane, ask Leroy, he will explain what I said to you.
Comment fired by Buddah — January 7, 2009- 8:19 pm
I like “different” and ALL of the other spicy blogs.
I want T-shirts!
Comment fired by Sam — January 7, 2009- 8:37 pm
Ok, I agreed with truth, Blane almost made sense, and Buddah even made some sense.
Is this a great thread or what?
Now what I want to know is what truth was doing in the floor. Man I hope Leroy wasn’t part of that.
Comment fired by DK — January 7, 2009- 8:43 pm
Good point Buddah!!! Well almost.
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 8:46 pm
I have a blog where I take donations, and I display banners in the sidebar. Does this mean in your opinion that I lack earnestness, integrity, and the inability to be fair??
Cap’n
Comment fired by Cap'n Bones — January 7, 2009- 8:56 pm
I agree completely!
Comment fired by ChileHeadEd — January 7, 2009- 9:03 pm
But not with Cap’n Bones
Comment fired by ChileHeadEd — January 7, 2009- 9:05 pm
Ah, Buddah…I will agree with you about the AD FREE sign being a clever marketing scheme if we ever come close to obtaining more “gratuities” than any other. I’d venture to say we’re on the very low end of the totem pole there.
And, bribes? You’ve had bribes? Yet another thing we haven’t had to deal with, thankfully.
Blane - why would a blog “need” money? Okay, let’s say that a blog did “need” money. Wouldn’t one call that a business? It really does depend on the objective. Magazines pay their writers for articles. That’s a business. Magazines have advertisements by which to pay salaries, overhead, etc. Now, blogs could be like that. And, those really should have advertisements so they can pay the people they promised. Our blog is not a business, nor is it linked to one.
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 9:16 pm
So Linda the HZO cost you nothing to operate?
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 9:22 pm
Why would a blog need Money?
Beer for friends.
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 9:24 pm
“While we?d someday like this blog to do something that makes money (sell T-shirts with our logo for example) to support the meager cost of updates and design issues”
You answered part of it here also.
Or I know of one site that uses the money to help with Charities and Chiliheads in need.
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 9:28 pm
I agree that your blog is not a business, however you are linked to the following
About This Weblog
Our Authors
Tina Brooks
Jim Campbell
Harald Zoschke
Sam McCanless
Steve Burnham
If a site uses commercial makers as authors and reviewers, can we totally trust the site to be 100% un bias??
Comment fired by Cap'n Bones — January 7, 2009- 9:32 pm
I asked a question Ed. I respect and enjoy this site, however I’m needing clarification on a few things. I’m NOT very educated and I’m interested in how others tick. So I ask questions.
Comment fired by Cap'n Bones — January 7, 2009- 9:36 pm
I received a camera after about 9 months of doing reviews for TTF. It was a gift in my eye, but an investment for TTF so I could produce a better, more visually appealing review. I am sure, TC didn’t take that out of his pocket it came from AD revenue. I don’t own a blog nor know the cost of maintaining one. I am sure that he Ad revenue also goes into that in some way, and if TC pockets some of it for all his time spent, then I think in this great country of ours, he has the right to do that. I don’t know if he does nor do I care. I know he never does reviews because he doesn’t want to create any biased feelings from that particular conflict. Whilst he can’t say TTF is an “AD FREE BLOG” he can say, it is an “ADministrative Review FREE Blog”. Isn’t this all a difference of semantics?
Joe and Linda are free to run their website anyway they want, and I like coming here and reading their articles. Nothing said today will make me think twice about coming back and reading more. I love all the blogs, the more the merrier. Diversity lends itself to creativity which lends itself to great discussions like this one. Keep up the great work guys!
Comment fired by Buddah — January 7, 2009- 9:41 pm
The only cost we have are updates & design. I have a friend with a server, so we pay no monthly fees of any sort. If we had to, I’m not sure we would have done it. I don’t think with our busy lives (Joe is a resident doctor…i.e. he’s not home much, I’m a grad student, we have a son with autism and another that’s typically 3, two huge dogs, etc.) we would have taken on something that drained us so financially. It’s hard enough fitting this in personally. But we love it. Though, I have to tell you, the questions are wearing me a bit thin right now considering we have a vastly lower reader rate than those who are asking them. But, they deserve answers, so here I go again…
Can you really trust any site to be unbiased? Maybe consumer reports? But, some would say that since they too do reviews without receiving advertising, their donations are payment as well. But, specifically, most of those listed as writers write very infrequently. I believe even Blane admitted that Joe and I do a lot of the reviews, with Passow coming in with nearly what’s remaining. We’d love for them to write more often, and I hope they do at some point. But, I’d hardly say we’ve had those with businesses who are plugging their stuff day and night. I’d actually have to go back and see if any of them have plugged their own products or dissed those that were similar to theirs. Additionally, we don’t ONLY do reviews. We have a lot of other posts here that aren’t plugging products, depending on our individual interests.
Finally, OUR BLOG donates to charities as well. In fact, the only money we HAVE taken in has gone to charities. It’s all for autism, so if you have a bias against which charity should receive more money, I’m sorry. Our son has autism and we struggle daily with it and fight so that future parents might not have to fight as hard. This is VERY important to us and even the insinuation that this blog doesn’t partake in that, is reallllllyyyyy insulting. I hope you didn’t mean it that way.
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 9:51 pm
Thanks for reminding me Buddah. I need to send you the bill for that camera.
Joe and Linda as I’ve stated many times, you guys are doing a great job, and I visit your site daily. I respect your stance. It just suprised me to read that just because others choose to display banner ads and take donations, that you consider them to lack integrity and honesty.
Comment fired by Cap'n Bones — January 7, 2009- 10:13 pm
Linda you asked me why a site might need money, I listed a few. Nowhere in my post did I say what you do for charity or where the Money goes!!! I’ve always supported this Blog and the Charities, for you to even think of what was posted above makes me sick…
No need to respond you’ve made your point and where you stand.
Remember you posted this thread, sorry I disturbed you with my opinions and Questions.
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 10:15 pm
These are your words, not mine. Which ONE blog would that be?
You know, you can’t expect people to listen to your opinions without giving them back or asking their own questions. I gave you the benefit of the doubt by saying that I hope you didn’t mean it that way. Trust me, now I hear YOU loud and clear.
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 10:21 pm
Cap’n Bones - I appreciate your question. I don’t think we have said that others lack integrity and honesty. We have merely highlighted our commitment to that. Obviously, I’m not having a lot of problems with honesty tonight.
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 10:27 pm
That would be TTF ‘ONE” and what I was refering too was paying ads and Donations “What the money is used for”
I might be a A$$ to alot of people but I’ve always respected you and Joe.
I must say I don’t enjoy the feeling in my stomach right now.
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 10:30 pm
I don’t much enjoy my feeling either, Blane. I’ve never had an issue with you before, but I did give you the benefit of the doubt. I did. You could have easily said, “No, I didn’t mean it that way.” Can someone have a disagreement with you and come out okay? Can someone say, “I’m really insulted. I hope you didn’t mean it that way.” and still be respected? Can anyone honestly question you?
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 10:37 pm
Thanks Linda for clearing that up. That’s why I ask questions.
Comment fired by Cap'n Bones — January 7, 2009- 10:42 pm
DOH! :LOL:
Comment fired by Cap'n Bones — January 7, 2009- 10:46 pm
People Question me everyday!!! I guess I should just lower my head. But thats not me.
Twice now you Questioned me!!! How would you like me to respond?
At no time have I attacked you in the above comments. But yet twice your comment has been in a negative nature towards me.
I guess in the future I’ll call someone out and add a Hope thats not what you meant at the end of it. You to could have responded differently, if you didn’t fully understand my comment.
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 11:00 pm
You’re right. I could have phrased it differently. I felt on the defensive and it wasn’t the best way to ask you about it.
Now let’s hug it out, bitch!
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 11:03 pm
Here’s where that reference comes from…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZvarRe-XVQ
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 11:04 pm
You know I’ve had lots of disagreements with friends and things still roll along fine.
But I find having lots of friends is over rated!!
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 11:07 pm
Does that mean you’re NOT going to hug it out?
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 11:08 pm
“Now let?s hug it out, bitch!”
Now you put a smile on my face, see how simple that was. No ones right no one’s wrong and you where able to call me a biotch in the same sentence.
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 11:10 pm
Linda, it’s spelled B-E-O-T-C-H.
Comment fired by DK — January 7, 2009- 11:11 pm
LOL Good night, Blane!
Comment fired by Linda — January 7, 2009- 11:11 pm
“Does that mean you?re NOT going to hug it out?”
LOL, I’m all for hugs.
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 11:12 pm
I sense a hug in the near future.
Comment fired by DK — January 7, 2009- 11:13 pm
:genrul: This would be so needed here right now. Night folks. Glad to see everyone getting alone before the nights get turned out.
Comment fired by Buddah — January 7, 2009- 11:14 pm
Good nite!!! Give Joe a hug also
Comment fired by BLANE — January 7, 2009- 11:22 pm
Good God, its 8am, and I already need a beer reading all of this. UGH!
Comment fired by DEFCON Creator — January 8, 2009- 8:13 am
“Good God, its 8am, and I already need a beer reading all of this. UGH!”
I second that! Let’s go to the bar.
Comment fired by Jonathan Passow — January 8, 2009- 9:58 am
Dang…late again…I need a hug now
Comment fired by Big Dawg — January 11, 2009- 9:29 am
: hugs Big Dawg :
Comment fired by Jonathan Passow — January 11, 2009- 10:48 am