I don't get it

[butter_cup_]

Isn't complaining about advertisements on free LJ accounts a lot like complaining about ads on network TV?  The people who bought LJ put up real assets to acquire it with the reasonable expectation that they would realize a return on their investment.  Color me stupid, but I can only see two ways that they can do this: to charge for accounts and/or

Comments

[clare009]

Indeed

There really is no such thing as a free lunch. I run a website that hosts fanfiction (not in the HP community) and I do it as a free service in my spare time. People can (if they want) and have donated in the past to help with hosting costs. Keeping a small fansite running is quite a task, and I have to deal with a number of emails on a weekly basis - and I certainly don't get paid for it. Now, I'm not saying that I personally want to put ads up on my site - however, I can perfectly understand why LJ needs to do so. I'm sure they pay their staff for the full time job of keeping this type of website functioning. I wouldn't want to begrudge those people a pay check.

[islandsmoke]

Is fandom truly suggesting that the people who own LJ should provide blogging services at their own expense for the honor of hosting our fabulous fics?

Well, yeah. I want it all. And I want it now, and I want it free of charge and supported. ;)

I wouldn't take in something like LJ for anything.