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-   -   The Stop Censorship banner... (https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=271608)

Alistair January 17th, 2012 11:06 PM

The Stop Censorship banner...
 
The Stop Censorship banner that just appeared is quite annoying. Not only does it cover up the nice PokéCommunity banner, it doesn't seem to like staying in one place (FYI, I'm using Opera, which may have something to do with it). Whenever I go to a new page, it likes to move to different places at the top of the page.

If I could suggest, maybe spread awareness through the "Notices" box or something. That way, it's not nearly as intrusive or ugly.

Zet January 17th, 2012 11:10 PM

People would easily dismiss a notice without even reading it. The banner is so people can understand how SOPA, PIPA and any other form of internet censorship can affect even small sites/forums. I think you should just deal with it for however many hours it's going to be there for.

The Void January 17th, 2012 11:14 PM

And while you're at it, you can understand more and even debate about it in this thread (clicky!).

Note that not only PC is going on this strike. Several other websites such as Wikipedia, Mozilla, Techdirt, and Tumblr are joining in this strike as well.

Hiidoran January 17th, 2012 11:22 PM

Seems like it's not on every style either, considering I'm using the Stand Nexus and it doesn't affect my view of the header. Just switch styles if you've already understood the point of the protest, at least for a few hours. :]

I miss Wikipedia already... at least PC is still accessible.

The Void January 17th, 2012 11:30 PM

Yes, indeed. I can't even do my research without Wikipedia. :3
Also, just asking, does the form apply for people outside of US?

Nihilego January 17th, 2012 11:40 PM

I'm pretty sure the whole point of it is to be irritating and intrusive. That's what SOPA would be like, so that's what our response will be like.

Edit: @ the above, the bill is being considered in the US but effects almost everyone who uses the Internet. So yeah, the 'form' (not sure what you mean by that) effects everyone.

Alistair January 17th, 2012 11:52 PM

Well, I should also mention I'm not on that much and didn't know PC was participating. I'll definitely switch themes for now, if that's a solution.

My main gripe was really how haphazardly it was placed over the main banner. I could see a more creative way of doing it (while still being obtrusive), such as covering the PokéCommunity text and slogan with a fake notice that's similar to one that would appear if the SOPA act is passed and direct to the site its currently directed towards.

EDIT: I think I should also mention that I made this thread because I initially thought the banner was an advertisement.

Captain Fabio January 18th, 2012 12:28 AM

It is fine as it is, it is only for one day.

I am glad we are showing support, even if it is a very small sign of support.


CapricornPsyche January 18th, 2012 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Fabio (Post 7013278)

It is fine as it is, it is only for one day.

I am glad we are showing support, even if it is a very small sign of support.


Same here, Very glad this forum is supporting the protest, and even then for convenience one could always avoid the black banner across Elesa's eyes by changing them theme of the forum to something different: that's what I did. :3

Kano Shuuya January 18th, 2012 12:50 AM

It's certainly no advertisement, at least not in the way that we generally use them.

XD;

I think we can live with it covering up part of pretty banner, or moving around a bit, when certain sites (take the Homsetuck comic's MSPA.com for example), are entirely blacked out until this is over. I'm.. okay with PC having a banner ad. XD;

Alistair January 18th, 2012 12:53 AM

Here, let me run down all my thoughts from beginning to end on the matter.

First, let's start off when I first saw the banner. As I said above, when I first saw it, I thought it was an advertisement of sorts. I didn't click on it until after I made this thread, in hesitation that it was a trap. In addition, it especially caught my eye because it wouldn't stop moving whenever I would refresh the page or navigate to a different area of the website (which scared me into not clicking it even more). This has luckily stopped, and I think it was more due to compatibility issues with Opera than anything else.

Second, I do think there are better ways of presenting the banner, as I've mentioned above. The current one works, but I think that a global Notice box (one that appears everywhere, including the main page) explaining what the banner is for and providing helpful and relevant links could prevent confusion.

Kano Shuuya January 18th, 2012 1:01 AM

We could offer more of an explanation, that's true, but there's also the fact that a good number of people online right now are familiar with what's happening with SOPA. If they don't know, the banners are there to be clicked on and to inform the people who don't know what's going on. PC wants to make people aware, but it would also be awkward if we typed up paragraphs of a notice, or post about it when people can just as easily use Google. o_o

Not that it's a bad idea to have some type of notice up to explain it, it's just easy enough to find it elsewhere.. D: /IMO
Granted, I don't speak for the rest of h-staff. xp

Rukario January 18th, 2012 1:14 AM

I'm sorry it doesn't display properly on some themes or not at all on others.. some of our custom styles use alternate header div's and coding.. it shouldn't move around though as it uses absolute positioning..

It will only be up thru the end of Jan 18th as a show of support to get SOPA/PIPA dropped.

Oryx January 18th, 2012 1:23 AM

The problem with notices is that people don't read them. They're everyday and normal so people won't pay attention to it and give it the heed that it deserves.

As far as covering the logo and the slogan, that would have to be done individually on every single style, which would be way more work, considering the banner can have the name and slogan anywhere on it. This is just as effective imo, with much less effort.

Platinum Lucario January 18th, 2012 3:27 AM

Even though the "Stop censorship" may not be covering the "PokéCommunity" banner, at least the Stop censorship banner is doing it's job. That Stop censorship banner is there for a very good reason... and that is to encourage people to protest against the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) bills. For those who do not know what it is, it's explained in this thread and Wikipedia (which shall be blacked out to also encourage those to protest against the bills). Those bills will end up destroying websites, such as social networks and end up giving any copyright content holder the right to sue people without the person who was sued for it even being able to defend for themselves.

Hybrid Trainer January 18th, 2012 3:35 AM

I understand that it'd be hard work for you to make it look pretty and fit in with every theme and such but I can see where the OP is coming from. It can be a bit disorientating for some people if there isn't some sort of explanation on PC because I doubt people will click on it because of the advertisement look it has to it. And not everyone will know about SOPA because it's an american based thing so it's not as big in other countries as it is in America.

If it were up to me I'd make a thread in the announcements forum just to clear things up and to explain what PC is supporting and everything.

The Void January 18th, 2012 3:52 AM

I wouldn't mind adjusting the big banner to be moved properly a bit for some styles, such as the New Directions, for example. With that big banner covering the color picker, it's impossible to switch colors. For other banners, it's a bit awkward having the banner covering the face of the person of the forum mascot and such, although I guess it's worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EntwinedSilence (Post 7013296)
Not that it's a bad idea to have some type of notice up to explain it, it's just easy enough to find it elsewhere.. D: /IMO
Granted, I don't speak for the rest of h-staff. xp

Well, actually, like I said, there's already a thread I made that not only explains the bill, but also allows you to debate about it as well. You can view it here: http://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=271558

Nihilego January 18th, 2012 4:17 AM

Still not seeing the problem really tbh. The banner does what needs to be done which is to simply state to everyone that PC is against these bills. Can't we go for 24 hours withough being reminded of what our theme's headder looks like, or without being able to switch the colours on New Directions?

As for the whole thing about it being an advertisement, I don't believe it's in the advertisement space... So that should kinda give it away. If not then people just won't click it. No harm done there. Idk I just think people are making a lot of fuss over something so simple which doesn't cause any harm other than not being very pretty. Given that SOPA could damage this place in several ways, I'd have thought that we could live with a statement against it for a day lol.

Berry Punch January 18th, 2012 5:55 AM

The easiest suggestion for you, OP, would be changing the board style. I'm using the Slowpoke-theme and don't see any SOPA-banner, I wouldn't mind actually, it is supposed to be ugly and annoying; and as long it doesn't "block" any useful links I don't see any problem here.

I'm forced to use Opera as well by the way.

Cordelia January 18th, 2012 6:21 AM

I don't mind it, it reminds me us the problems we're facing right now as a society and the Internet itself is fighting back to stop it. But yes, change the theme... or just ignore it. Is it really that bad?

Captain Fabio January 18th, 2012 6:36 AM

Oh... my God.
People, this is a ONE DAY protest. It will be there for 24 hours. It is protesting against a very good cause. Would you rather have this banner for a day or the forum shut down? That might be a little bit of an extreme example, but that is what this banner and protest means.

Seriously, get over it. Change theme or ignore it for one, measly day.


Yoshikko January 18th, 2012 7:09 AM

Apart from what Fabio here said, that banner is also a way to make people realize what censorship does. Even though this is just a very very small measure, it can be an eye-opener to some and the whole point of it is actually to be noticed and unwanted, so it is doing its job right haha.

Livewire January 18th, 2012 8:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Fabio (Post 7013519)

Oh... my God.
People, this is a ONE DAY protest. It will be there for 24 hours. It is protesting against a very good cause. Would you rather have this banner for a day or the forum shut down? That might be a little bit of an extreme example, but that is what this banner and protest means.

Seriously, get over it. Change theme or ignore it for one, measly day.



Quoted for truth.

Just move along people. Were not taking the banner down.

Alistair January 18th, 2012 8:32 AM

Wow. You know, I didn't start this thread because I wanted to take the banner down. I started this thread because the representation could've been better and there could've been an explanation as to what it's for. Sure, the way I worded the OP could have definitely been better, but it was the banner moving around that made me suspect it and I just made the suggestion of using a Notice box to spread awareness. No where, in the OP, did I remotely suggest that it be taken down (although I can see how it could've been implied. I once again recognize my poor wording).

And yes, I have since switched themes. I have taken the advice given to me in that regard.

As it stands, when I first saw it, I thought it was an advertisement. Those were my initial reactions based on the way it's shown, and the way it acted in my browser. There's no way to change that, and it would be nice if people could try to see it the way I see it. If you saw a banner that covered the website's banner, had a basic message on it, and moved around whenever you went to different places, what would you think?

And I'm in support for the blackout movement. If I had a website, I would participate myself. I just think this could've been handled and presented better than it is.

IceGod64 January 18th, 2012 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alistair (Post 7013237)
The Stop Censorship banner that just appeared is quite annoying. Not only does it cover up the nice PokéCommunity banner, it doesn't seem to like staying in one place (FYI, I'm using Opera, which may have something to do with it). Whenever I go to a new page, it likes to move to different places at the top of the page.

If I could suggest, maybe spread awareness through the "Notices" box or something. That way, it's not nearly as intrusive or ugly.

If it was a notice, you would'nt even read it. Wikipedia is even blacking out for today in protest of SOPA.

Don't complain - SOPA awareness is important. if SOPA/PIPA get passed, it will ruin the Internet as we know it - And there's a good chance Pokécommunity will see its end.

Alistair January 18th, 2012 11:47 AM

IceGod, next time, read the rest of my posts. >.<

You know what, just close this.

Dopefish7590 January 18th, 2012 1:56 PM

For the people who really need it, you can still access Wikipedia. Only standard English is blocked, so you can check on Simple English if you want...

And there is a little trick, I can only confirm it works with Opera (Because of it's mht save format), but you can try it in other browsers... If you save a blocked Wikipedia page (With [Ctrl] + [S]), and open it from your computer, it will not be the blocked version.

I am sure everyone here knows what SOPA is now, so I am sure giving this workaround is appropriate. If it isn't, READ UP ON IT. It is VERY important.

tl;dr Researching things on Wikipedia is still possible today.

fenyx4 January 18th, 2012 2:49 PM

How Dare Our Elesa Get Rudely Censored Like This! D:
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Alistair (Post 7013237)
The Stop Censorship banner that just appeared is quite annoying. Not only does it cover up the nice PokéCommunity banner, it doesn't seem to like staying in one place (FYI, I'm using Opera, which may have something to do with it). Whenever I go to a new page, it likes to move to different places at the top of the page.

If I could suggest, maybe spread awareness through the "Notices" box or something. That way, it's not nearly as intrusive or ugly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alistair (Post 7013609)
Wow. You know, I didn't start this thread because I wanted to take the banner down. I started this thread because the representation could've been better and there could've been an explanation as to what it's for. Sure, the way I worded the OP could have definitely been better, but it was the banner moving around that made me suspect it and I just made the suggestion of using a Notice box to spread awareness. No where, in the OP, did I remotely suggest that it be taken down (although I can see how it could've been implied. I once again recognize my poor wording).

And yes, I have since switched themes. I have taken the advice given to me in that regard.

As it stands, when I first saw it, I thought it was an advertisement. Those were my initial reactions based on the way it's shown, and the way it acted in my browser. There's no way to change that, and it would be nice if people could try to see it the way I see it. If you saw a banner that covered the website's banner, had a basic message on it, and moved around whenever you went to different places, what would you think?

And I'm in support for the blackout movement. If I had a website, I would participate myself. I just think this could've been handled and presented better than it is.

Regarding the presentation of the "blackout bar", I feel it could have maybe used a little more explanatory text other than just "Stop Censorship", to briefly clarify to disoriented users the cause for the alteration. It does kind of look a little advertisement-ish, the type that would probably startle some users, resulting in them making an effort to avoid the website/the area of the "advertisement" - although if you've been on PC a while, you probably know where the usual ads are typically located... After hearing a piece of news on the radio about what Wikipedia did for today, I came here simply to see if a thread was discussing it; little did I realize that PokeCommunity itself was protesting as well by utilizing said blackout bar. I guess the blackout bar manages to achieve its purpose, though. However, I, too, am for the movement against the ratification of SOPA/PIPA (especially because its mere existence has caused loads of inconvenience on the Internet today -.-), so I support PokeCommunity's action for today. For what its worth, the Route 167 style I'm currently using is unaffected.

It sucks that Elesa has to unexpectedly get censored like that, though. XD (with Elesa being part of the PokeCommunity's current default theme, "Nimbasa's Shining Beauty").

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zet (Post 7013240)
People would easily dismiss a notice without even reading it. The banner is so people can understand how SOPA, PIPA and any other form of internet censorship can affect even small sites/forums. I think you should just deal with it for however many hours it's going to be there for.

This (although I'm guessing that I'm probably one of the few who bothers to actually read the notices, dismissable or not -.-).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor Leaf (Post 7013258)
I'm pretty sure the whole point of it is to be irritating and intrusive. That's what SOPA would be like, so that's what our response will be like.

Edit: @ the above, the bill is being considered in the US but effects almost everyone who uses the Internet. So yeah, the 'form' (not sure what you mean by that) effects everyone.

This...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toujours (Post 7013310)
The problem with notices is that people don't read them. They're everyday and normal so people won't pay attention to it and give it the heed that it deserves.

This...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PokémonShinySilver (Post 7013372)
Even though the "Stop censorship" may not be covering the "PokéCommunity" banner, at least the Stop censorship banner is doing it's job. That Stop censorship banner is there for a very good reason... and that is to encourage people to protest against the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) bills. For those who do not know what it is, it's explained in this thread and Wikipedia (which shall be blacked out to also encourage those to protest against the bills). Those bills will end up destroying websites, such as social networks and end up giving any copyright content holder the right to sue people without the person who was sued for it even being able to defend for themselves.

This...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Fabio (Post 7013519)

People, this is a ONE DAY protest. It will be there for 24 hours. It is protesting against a very good cause. Would you rather have this banner for a day or the forum shut down? That might be a little bit of an extreme example, but that is what this banner and protest means.

Seriously, get over it. Change theme or ignore it for one, measly day.


This, QFT. I'd much rather deal with this big, black bar staring me in the face for just one day than to have the PokeCommunity forums possibly shut down (forever?), which, among many other things, would mean many hours sucked down the drain for me and likely for many other users here.

Also, I'm grateful that we can even use the forum at all today. Wikipedia (kind of: ?banner=none works wonders, thanks to a mention I saw in another PokeCommunity thread discussing the SOPA/PIPA ordeal today), Bulbagarden Forums, Smashboards, Rangerboard, and Reddit are all rendered unusable today due to the SOPA/PIPA protests, which is really ticking me off because this is the one day in a while that I'll probably have adequate spare time to surf the Internet. T_T

Also, the "this is only for one day" thing reminds me of the 2011 April Fool's Day scenario, where nearly the exact same thing occurred with a more "intrusive" theme/style change...although IIRC, you couldn't change the theme? XD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoshikkko (Post 7013545)
Apart from what Fabio here said, that banner is also a way to make people realize what censorship does. Even though this is just a very very small measure, it can be an eye-opener to some and the whole point of it is actually to be noticed and unwanted, so it is doing its job right haha.

This as well. If SOPA/PIPA passes, eventually we're just going to have even more black bars on the site for more than 24 hours, it seems like. XD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Fail (Post 7013645)
[Like]

I don't mind seeing the banner. It's the cold, hard truth. Many themes don't have it in place, but even if it was, I'd just ignore it. Heck, many sites, let alone PC have it. The internet will be back to (almost) normal tomorrow, so I'd just Spheal with it.

...Although we did once have a notice that we couldn't dismiss. Perhaps it can appear on all styles by using an undismissable notice.

That undismissable notice seems like a good idea as well, although it would have to be quite prominent to distinguish itself from all of the other dismissable, rarely-read notices...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dopefish7590 (Post 7013913)
For the people who really need it, you can still access Wikipedia. Only standard English is blocked, so you can check on Simple English if you want...

And there is a little trick, I can only confirm it works with Opera (Because of it's mht save format), but you can try it in other browsers... If you save a blocked Wikipedia page (With [Ctrl] + [S]), and open it from your computer, it will not be the blocked version.

I am sure everyone here knows what SOPA is now, so I am sure giving this workaround is appropriate. If it isn't, READ UP ON IT. It is VERY important.

tl;dr Researching things on Wikipedia is still possible today.

To add to this, adding "?banner=none" after a Wikipedia URL address allows normal access to Wikipedia's article, as I saw Awesome. mention in the SOPA/PIPA discussion thread. Unfortunately, you'll have to do this for each page you visit, though. I never really realized how much I consulted Wikipedia for quick info on stuff until today. XD Way better than rushing to hit the "Stop" button with each page load. >.<

*goes off to hurl a Geodude at er..write a strongly-worded letter to the jerk who proposed SOPA/PIPA and broke (most of) the Internet today*

Also, this has probably been said before, but we could really use a "Like" button on here. XD

Kenshin5 January 18th, 2012 4:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor Leaf (Post 7013400)
Still not seeing the problem really tbh. The banner does what needs to be done which is to simply state to everyone that PC is against these bills. Can't we go for 24 hours withough being reminded of what our theme's headder looks like, or without being able to switch the colours on New Directions?

As for the whole thing about it being an advertisement, I don't believe it's in the advertisement space... So that should kinda give it away. If not then people just won't click it. No harm done there. Idk I just think people are making a lot of fuss over something so simple which doesn't cause any harm other than not being very pretty. Given that SOPA could damage this place in several ways, I'd have thought that we could live with a statement against it for a day lol.

Unfortunately it is brought up every time though. Like with the Red Cross support Tsunami/Earthquake victims in Japan.

Although this time around I do get that Alistair thought it was an advertisement, I just wish it was posted in Announcements and explains for people not in the know.

Black Bolt January 18th, 2012 5:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenyx4 (Post 7013974)


To add to this, adding "?banner=none" after a Wikipedia URL address allows normal access to Wikipedia's article. Unfortunately, you'll have to do this for each page you visit, though. I never really realized how much I consulted Wikipedia for quick info on stuff until today. XD

also
(this works for a bit slow computers)
when the wikipedia article loads
the browser should turn white for a while
stop loading the browser by usually clicking the X in the url bar and the article should come up
with out the banner
though the autosearch thing wont really work

you can also go to foreign wikipedia articles
i copied and pasted them to google translate :P


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