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I'll probably get downvoted into oblivion but I gotta put this out here: I understand adblocking because of how absolutely garbage ad networks are for privacy

I'll probably get downvoted into oblivion but I gotta put this out here: I understand adblocking because of how absolutely garbage ad networks are for privacy (and to some extent device performance). But I can't help and compare mass bypassing paywalls of news sites to jumping the pike on a transit network. Some people should probably do it (who really can't afford subscriptions) but generally HN audience is well paid and can afford to support their sources of news. I know people here will come up with ~~reasons~~ excuses for justifying this theft, but it just reinforces the entitled nature of well-paid tech workers in my mind. Go pay for your news.

xenocratus 4y ago
That's not a legitimate comparison of the situation, because if you can bypass the paywall to be able to read it usually means the data is already on your device for you to read in the first place, it's just "hidden" in some shitty way. I would compare it with a physical newspaper company sending you the newspaper covered in some tamper-resistant material that lets you read the first rows only. I see no reason why you shouldn't try to tamper with that cover given that you effectively own it now. Go full "log in to read this" (by which I mean only sending the data you intend EVERYONE to read even when the user is not logged in) and then it's a fair comparison. EDIT: > I know people here will come up with ~~reasons~~ excuses for justifying this theft, but it just reinforces the entitled nature of well-paid tech workers in my mind. I think the industry that has given rise to shitty paywallish implementations should justify themselves as well, then. NB: I pay/have paid for news sources, including ones that I appreciated but had literally no time to read. However, this sort of approach to "protecting IP" is particularly stupid, so I feel no remorse bypassing it (I do it manually, though, it's more satisfying).
wetpaws 4y ago
I'm fine with idea paying for news, but I'm not fine when 99% of links I click are paywalled.
deleted 4y ago
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boplicity 4y ago
Remember old school shareware games? Many people used fake keys to unlock the full versions of the game. At least most people had the decency (I think) to feel a little bad about it. When it comes to news reporting -- people seem to think it's wrong to ask for payment. I really don't get it.

xenocratus 4y ago

That's not a legitimate comparison of the situation, because if you can bypass the paywall to be able to read it usually means the data is already on your device for you to read in the first place, it's just "hidden" in some shitty way. I would compare it with a physical newspaper company sending you the newspaper covered in some tamper-resistant material that lets you read the first rows only. I see no reason why you shouldn't try to tamper with that cover given that you effectively own it now. Go full "log in to read this" (by which I mean only sending the data you intend EVERYONE to read even when the user is not logged in) and then it's a fair comparison. EDIT: > I know people here will come up with ~~reasons~~ excuses for justifying this theft, but it just reinforces the entitled nature of well-paid tech workers in my mind. I think the industry that has given rise to shitty paywallish implementations should justify themselves as well, then. NB: I pay/have paid for news sources, including ones that I appreciated but had literally no time to read. However, this sort of approach to "protecting IP" is particularly stupid, so I feel no remorse bypassing it (I do it manually, though, it's more satisfying).

wetpaws 4y ago

I'm fine with idea paying for news, but I'm not fine when 99% of links I click are paywalled.

deleted 4y ago

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boplicity 4y ago

Remember old school shareware games? Many people used fake keys to unlock the full versions of the game. At least most people had the decency (I think) to feel a little bad about it. When it comes to news reporting -- people seem to think it's wrong to ask for payment. I really don't get it.