It gets worse... (Where'd the subforums go?)

[RyanVM]

Due to various links that were deemed "infringing" in the "ELiTE's Apps" forum, Google pulled Adsense from my site. As most of you know, while the Adsense revenue generated by this site is fairly small, it is what pays the hosting bills.

So I've removed ELiTE's Apps from the site and am now appealing the decision. ELiTE, I'm very sorry to have pulled your forum, but I can't sacrifice the entire site over it and this is now the second copyright notice I've gotten over it. Hopefully you understand that it was nothing personal.

[RyanVM]

Also, I'm going to have to clamp down on all direct links to copywritten software from these forums. Discussion about how to make the installers is fine and I don't care one bit if you want to link to your site from here, but I can't have direct links to the compiled installers. Sorry

[RyanVM]

Switchless Installer Releases is also hidden pending cleanup.

[Kelsenellenelvian]

By all means do what you have to do to keep this site open.

Please don't apologize for the "man" trying to keep you down.

[mooms]

Why not making them "private" (=registration needed to see them) ?

[Outbreaker]

Remove and Ban Adsense from this sub-forums and only allowing registry user to entry this forum sections.
The Adsense Bot is pretty stupid i got even once a warning about this picture here, and only because it had the name P0rn in it and they even host it on their own site.

[mooms]

Wincert had the same problem a few months ago.
It is a kind of censorship by money if you think of it....

[RyanVM]

Right now I'm awaiting an appeal. If approved, we'll see what options we have going forward.

[user_hidden]

I'm with you whatever you decide Ryan

[ELiTE]

So I've removed ELiTE's Apps from the site and am now appealing the decision. ELiTE, I'm very sorry to have pulled your forum, but I can't sacrifice the entire site over it and this is now the second copyright notice I've gotten over it. Hopefully you understand that it was nothing personal.

Time for ole ELiTE to have a vacation anyway. It's been a hoot while it lasted. If things change let me know. Keep up the good work and Thanks for everything Ryan...........

[RyanVM]

@ricktendo64 and Outbreaker - Good point, thanks.

[ELiTE]

Wincert had the same problem a few months ago.
It is a kind of censorship by money if you think of it....

There's definitely something out of whack here. There's almost 1500 apps listed in my subforum. Never had a problem until recently. 4 years without a hitch.

There's a lot of apps I didn't post (limited time free versions) simply because I thought they might cause an issue down the road.

Either this is a BIG misunderstanding by Google or someone has an axe to grind for an, as yet, unknown reason. I mean it is Freeware and available on a multitude of sites. My Sig says it all.

Either which way, my links have a shelf life of 30 days (good thing in this case). After that it's a moot point anyway.

Worst comes to worst I hope Ryan just deletes ELiTE's Apps permanently. There's nothing there worth anything really. Just my way of passing the time of day.

I'm just sorry it had to come down to this.............

[krwilson]

WOW....I really have enjoyed the work of all you guys over the years...use the stuff everyday. Thanks for your great efforts and I hope this can be resolved.

[bphlpt]

The problem I have when Google AdSense complains, at least from what I saw when I was involved in trying to fix the problem over at WinCert, was that they made general comments and implications without specifically saying "If you fix ______, then everything will be OK". On top of that, the appeal form, as I remember it, doesn't give you a lot of room to try and make your case, only 500 characters I think. Anyway Ryan, I sent you a PM with some comments about the matter.

Cheers and Regards

[RyanVM]

bphlpt nailed it on the head - incredibly vague all-around (one URL that's "just one example") and very limited space to "make a strong case".

But whatever, I've been notified that my appeal was accepted, so yay

Assuming this was a stupid bot, maybe the answer is making these subforums available to registered users only. Seems like the easiest solution.

[ELiTE]

Well, we see 'Adsense' is back on the site so that has to be a good sign eh?

Time to get back to business and put this ridiculous thing behind us........

IMHO I think Ryan's plan to put both sub forums in the 'Members Only' section is a good one............

[ELiTE]

Re: Ryan's Idea

Other options for consideration:

-move all switchless + addon sections to 'members only'
-disable downloads for non-members (done on other sites)
-make the whole site members only
-disable hotlinking from other sites
-institute a 10 post policy before new members can post external links (done on some sites)

................

[ccl0]

Elite's suggestions would be a good idea

[Strych9]

But whatever, I've been notified that my appeal was accepted, so yay

Congratulations... I was shocked when I logged on this morning... All's well that end well.

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

[krwilson]

Elite's suggestions would be a good idea

Great news! But to avoid any future issues maybe the ideas should be implemented too?

[RyanVM]

Restored as visible only to registered users. Thanks everyone.