[entropyie]

Yes I enjoyed and used the ads in print computer magazines in the 90s. I think having highly relevant, content based static inline first party ads is tolerable and occasionally useful. Especially for specialist hardware / software. 3rd party ads that track you across the Internet are just evil and I will block them forever. As others have said, I would probably pay €50 per month for news, but not to a handful of mainstream sites. I need broad diverse coverage. Some micro transaction system is needed.

[AndrewStephens]

People advocate for micro-transactions as an alternative to the current system of funding content with invasive, data-collecting advertising. I just don't see it working the way proponents say it would, even if micropayments were technically feasible, which they are not.

I wrote a short post on the topic[0] but to save you a click here is the main point: We all complain about advertising that tracks users now. Imagine how valuable the data would be for paying customers now consider which micropayment provider you would trust with that information.

[0] https://sheep.horse/2024/11/on_micropayments.html