[Steve]

Having looked at this and discussed it in detail we really see no way of being able to offer any value to our members for an ‘ad free Pixalo’ in return for payment – no matter what cost.

We have considered the option to remove any ‘pay per click’ adverts, the likes of Google and auction ads etc but as you have already pointed out these can already be blocked locally without much trouble and certainly for no cost to members. Neither Dave nor I are happy to take payment for something that you can do for free.

As we now have adverts (one currently but more on the way) from companies that are paying for the ad and not the potential clicks we are not prepared to take their money and then our members money to remove them. Not only is it unfair on both the advertisers and the members, but it’s also morally wrong.

Pixalo is not run for profit but the small income from the current adverts and future advertisers allow us to keep the site running at no cost to our valued members and also give away small prizes for the monthly competitions and occasionally bigger stuff too. We recently had a server move to accommodate the sites growth, at the same time we ‘gave back’ a little more in the way of increased gallery space for everyone. If the income increases then so will the value of the prizes that we will be able to give away too.

Hopefully that explains the situation from our perspective and helps the members for whom the adverts are perhaps not to welcomed. As it has been pointed out there is nothing we can do to stop you blocking some of them and we will not think any less of you for doing so, but ultimately for Pixalo to survive there has to be some income to offset the daily running costs and we would rather that come from somewhere other than our members pockets.