Comments on: GameKnot AdBlock? Think Not.

By: Tuirgin

Tuirgin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:08:01 +0000

I highly recommend SchemingMind. No deep punishments for being poor.

By: Joe Anon

Joe Anon — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:57:46 +0000

I had a paid membership with gameknot for at least 2 years and all was well. But then I lost my job, fell into hard times and moved to the free membership due to financial reasons. I use browser settings that prevent flashing ads from giving me migrain headaches – and they do. So imagine my dismay in receiving the same “You are using ad blocking software and will not be allowed to play for free anymore” type messages. I am just trying to finish off a few active games for my opponents sake, then I am signing off of gameknot forever! I will not be treated like a dog! How sad that my paid membership over the past years was of little concern for the clowns. I’ll just play my computer, FICS, or check out some other less draconian free chess playing alternatives.

By: bilboleslie

bilboleslie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:03:51 +0000

Well, I'm done with gameknot. I got kicked for undefined rules violations (no reason except that they want a paid membership.)

I rejoined from another pc with another name and email address, to send my friends a goodbye note, and explain why I wouldn't be playing them... A week later, that new I.D. was "kicked for rules violations" and a premium membership was required again.

This site is rapidly switching to paid membership only. I'm gone.

Frankly, if that's what they want, why don't they just say it, instead of using fake "rules violations" to force people out.

By: Tuirgin

Tuirgin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:45:44 +0000

I don’t expect major websites to get far with that kind of practice, what with the necessities of developing for the handicapped. It’s a tactic I haven’t seen for 10 years. Back then some newspapers tried it out, but it didn’t last.

By: Nicholas Tam

Nicholas Tam — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:26:12 +0000

I just had this happen to me, and likewise, as soon as I'm finished with my current game (if I get to finish my current game) I am also finished with GameKnot.

I'm just glad major websites haven't caught on to this yet (i.e. making service conditional on deactivating your ad blockers).

By: Tuirgin

Tuirgin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:50:38 +0000

I created an account a while back and then realized it was "live" chess... I rarely can be assured of a block of time without interruption with 5 kids and one of them being only 10 months old.

What are the benefits of ChessCube over the traditional servers—FICS & ICC?

By: Tuirgin

Tuirgin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:45:09 +0000

One of my all-time favorites. Got to see him in concert last summer — only a month after our daughter was born, but my wife made me go anyway.

By: tommyg

tommyg — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:20:13 +0000

Tom Waits! Very nice!

By: Chess?

Chess? — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:36:55 +0000

I respect your principals, good for you. Have you checked out http://www.chesscube.com?

It’s not a bad site.

By: Tuirgin

Tuirgin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:13:57 +0000

For me it’s the principle of the thing. I’m not going to change the configuration of my proxy or my browser to use their site. That kind of thing make my eyes start turning in opposing concentric circles. Ah, well…

A good ad rant always puts me in the mood to listen to Tom Waits singing Step Right Up.