Infolinks Redux

It's exactly one month since I added Infolinks to the site. Ironically enough, some took to voicing their objections to them just today.

I have absolutely no desire to insult, demean, or otherwise antagonize my regular readers. If anything, my administration of this blog over the years suggests the opposite, as I always try to make time for the occasional email, complaint, or query.

But given who I am, I don't know quite how else to phrase this.

Excluding the rare blog bleg I did this month as a result of phone bills and too many hours actually worked on a story, the total one month take for me from Infolinks was about $225. That may have been high as an average, as two stories generated a lot of traffic. After paying Typepad and taxes, yes, bloggers have to pay taxes on such income, maybe it'll be $150 for the month, or about $37.50 a week.

One of the things people have said they like about this blog over the years is that I'm not always doing blog blegs. Fact is, I haven't averaged one a year since starting in 2004. Without judging other bloggers, as a matter of personal style, it suits me just fine as it is in that regard. I don't like asking people for money, never have.

During that same month, Henry Louis Gates, Jr and some number of Harvard employees amended their taxes due in large measure to content I generated for this blog. I'd guess the amount of those changes cost them far more than I have ever made from this blog.

A blogging enemy of Sarah Palin resigned, or was informed he would do so, from his job. He also experienced what it felt like to have your life dragged all over the Internet and some might not see him with the alleged glow he once enjoyed.

Now, if you believe I'm over paid somehow for the work, or that any inconvenience I somehow create for you is too much to make it worthwhile, or, perhaps you want to leave a credit card number, or PayPal account ID so I can bill you ... oh, I don't know, say ten bucks a month for the ability to read and comment here as you choose, this is your thread to do it, or simply bitch.

Have at it. My blogging, as does most every one's speech here as expressed in comments, remain free for all.

Comments

[Dan Rosencrance]

I've only just started to visit your blog. I like the quality of thought and your sense of fairness and 'Net justice especially regarding the Palin matter. I'm up for supporting your voice in the Blogosphere (sp?). I'm not savvy in the ways of Infolinks and the like, but if it helps keep you keeping on, then by all means, go for it!

And soon, I'll use the donation key.

Thanks

[Robert B.]

Dan,

I am a frequent visitor to your blog, and although I do find the infolinks irritating, I can deal with it since I realise you have bills to pay also. I enjoy your commentary and agree with your observations most of the time. And, like you, I also hate to ask for money. That's one reason I haven't drawn unemployment in fifteen years, even when I found myself between jobs. (I get by on savings, I try to limit my outgo when the income isn't there. I wish governments would do the same.)

Best wishes for you and your family in these trying times.

[Peg C.]

Dan, I didn't realize (honestly!) that infolinks make you money. I didn't know why they show up on some sites and not others. Thanks for the education. Like Robert, I, too, can live with them knowing they help fund a great blog!

[Robin]

I also didn't know you were paid. They're a bit annoying but not enough that I would wish you to forego a bit of cash.

[Dan Riehl]

Thanks for the support. Believe me, I can understand any complaint. But unless I'm mousing over the text, really, I don't notice them too much. The problem is, the Left's blogs, many of them, get a lot of support the Right doesn't get. Either through ad buys, or via funding mechanisms, several do just fine over there. Hopefully that'll eventually change on our side. Heck, I don't think I've ever seen an ad buy here via a GOP candidate, or cause.

Being out of power as they are - and with on line info becoming increasingly important, let's hope it will begin to change. I remain optimistic that it will.

Thanks, again.

[jakee308]

If it helps pay the hosting bills, I'm all for it. I'm not in a position to spend as much as your site could be worth so I would lose if a pay/go system was enacted.

The infolinks are annoying (not as much as those 'share' popups that linger on and on like on 'the other Mccain's' site [and others]) but if they're advantageous for you then go for it.

P.S. thanks for all the work. Wish a reasonable means could be devised to help pay those who actually are being journalists on the web.

[geoffb]

Doesn't bother me a bit. Your writing is the draw. As long as that is legible everything else that helps keep the writing coming is ok. Heck even the MSNBC ad amuses me rather than bothers.

[Dan Riehl]

"the MSNBC ad"

lol Best paying of the bunch. Beats Google by about 1000% every month. Unfortinately, that isn't say much. Google is a waste here anyway.

[Rich K]

What info links?? Oh,Those things! I didnt actually notice much as they seem to be pretty common most anywhere I go.A boy has to pay the bills.
I hope all those contrarians who click them enjoy paying your bills too,hehe.

[cindi]

Infolinks=diaper wipes. Same folks that boycott products because they hate Glenn Beck. Dan if you start a f&+k em button, I would give you a buck a month for roach spray.

[Peg C.]

cindi, if Dan had a f&+k em button, we'd use it so much we'd crash something for sure. LOL.

[gary gulrud]

I am an irascible, intemperate coot and enjoy the rare echo chamber. Much obliged.

[Nolo Contendere]

Infolinks are one of the most annoying and inane things on the web today. Never yet saw one that connected to any actual, you know, information that would be of any use to anyone. I do my best to read through them, irritating as they are. Beats me how they could pay anyone for having them on page, but I'll ignore them if you're getting money from them.

[mark tomeo]

Infolinks never lead to any useful or relevant information and are really annoying, but I like your blog and as you're making money from them...