Funny how this is the first topic I've read about the "ads" that hasn't been locked. I had trouble too with the site being slow and with the elongated ads that filled my screen but I simply scrolled/paged down and went past them. I too am thankful for this "free" space where I can chat with friends, see and learn lots and lots of stuff. Yes ads earn revenue that pays for the web-hosting and we should all agree that we have a choice to click on the links or not. I use web-based email and have the same situation there. Doesn't do much good to complain unless you have a suggestion for a solution. In this instance, eliminating free access might be the only choice. I'd rather have to scroll past the ads (as long as they are not unreasonably long) than have to pay to have access. This site is well organized and very well presented compared to most groups I've been on and I thoroughly enjoy it. I look at the ads like a fly on the screen, annoying at times but easy to look past.