Paywall On-Ramps Get A Workaround

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Paywall On-Ramps Get A Workaround

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Remember BugMeNot.com? The site was started in 2003 to let users, peeved by a growing crop of news site registration walls, borrow someone else’s login.

Seven years on - for registration wall workaround, read pay wall hack. Web developers have made BreakThePayWall, a browser extension that helps users overcome part of news publishers’ subscription strategy.

Available for Internet Explorer and, soon, Firefox, BreakThePayWall works mainly - and merely - by deleting cookies sites use to limit the number of stories users can read before having to subscribe. Deleting the cookies means the publisher’s site forgets how close the reader is to the “pay up” threshold.

In theory, it could be a challenge to those that use Google’s First-Click-Free scheme, which publishers can use to let searchers read only up to five articles per month before subscribing. No BreakThePayWall user numbers are available and the hack seems unlikely to severely impact publishers’ strategies because it has not gained widespread attention on the web.

But it is a clear response to the recent re-emergence of paywalls and may prompt proprietors to think of new techniques. It’s basically a sign of the times.

Web users can already employ the same technique by manually deleting cookies in their browser; BreakThePayWall just tries to make it easier.

“The paywall thing came about because of our annoyance at how easy it is to get around them,” BreakThePayWall’s developer, who did not give his name, told me. “Lots of compromises are made and basic security not adhered to. The utility currently uses cookie and referrer techniques - we have not come across any other techniques… yet.”

BreakThePayWall is thought to have piqued the interest of FT.com, which uses First-Click-Free to give five free articles per month to Google (NSDQ: GOOG) searchers.

The developer is also working on a hack that lets users more easily claim compensation for train delays.

Robert Andrews

@robertandrews Mar 22, 2010 4:12 AM ET

Posted In: Media & Publishing, Online News

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Great article. I always find it worth it especailly when you get to buy a good website at a good time.

I am not sure how I got signed up here, but I will leve it to see what kind of response I get.

Here you are stalking me again, Tim. Can I go anywhere to give my side without you showing up. You stated once you receive nothing from Internet Brands. So why are you so worried what I post about them herre and there?

You’re right, Tim, there is so much more than meets the eye, otherwise you wpouldn’t find every word I post and add your incoherent comments.

Also, your buddy Ken responded to me the other day. That man is a filthy pig and is the root of this problem between you, me and Internet Brands / Ford Truck Enthusiasts.

Internet Brands buying habits may be to add to their fold, but with people like Tim managing the sites, they are bound to drive away users by the droves. Users are considered by them to be expendable.

End the stalking, reinstate the username of my preference, and issue a formal apology and this will all go away. Got that Tim? Snookie?

It has been well over a year…I would think that by now you would have learned that I am dedicated to seeing this lesson for you through to the end…the end I wish to have for it.

Remember when I told you I would determine how you deal with me, Tim? That’s what burned you up in the first place, wasn’t it?

Treat me right…I AM your customer…I was buying from your advertisers…and will again when you do as I respectfully request.

Muddy

Tim

Trust me Mike there is way more to this story.

How to Write a Song

You should be more careful when you buy a website.

Blue Lizard Technologies

There is always some risk involved when you buy a website…

MuddyAxles

Well, Bob, why would I take Internet Brands' side in this disagreement I have with them? That would be stupid, Bob.

You must think I'm completely stupid. You remind me of management at Internet Brands.

Don't be a dumba$$, Bob. Of course my piece was one-sided…I'm not writing a textbook ere.

Chees…some people.

bob

Seems Muddy axles has only one side too a story, his.

Mike

Sometimes it is a good thing to buy great website , but sometimes it's not, you must pick up in right time and right place interesting websites and it will be good solution for your buying in future.

Muddy Axles

Wonderful, more web sites being taken over by this brute of a company.

Why would I say such a thing? Well, here's how it is folks…these guys run thir sites like a bunch of thugs. I actually had one of their "administrators" scold mefor posting my comments in an available typestyle and color that "he didnt like". When I wouldn't quietly lay down for that screwing they fiddled with my account and finally banned me permanently when I protested.

Now, mind you, I am no casual user. I found the information posted on their trucks site nearly invaluable. I appreciated it being here immensely!

I bought merchanise from a few of their advertising supporters. I promoted those companies, both on-line and in person like I owned stock in them. I waved the flag for the truck site a well and helped organize a face-to-face get together for the real people who form the site's community.

I would have become a cash-paying member had they been able to carry on business as any other on-line retailer, but they have this love affair with that PayFriend outfit (yeah, I know that's not their name!) which I don't choose to use.

So IB extends its reach some more…they'e real good at buying up the competition…but can they run all these sites and keep he revenue streaming in? If the corporate attitude I have encountered at the truck site is company-wide, I predict they will collase in a heap one day. But, hey, who am I?

Just some schmuck who doesn't appreciate being screwed over by these corporate thugs.