The most F. of the F.A.Q.s

Q: Can you make Add-Art do _______?
A: If Add-Art doesn’t give you what you want, you’ll have to modify it. The code exists for you to use, so you don’t have to start from scratch. You can do the work yourself, or hire someone. If you’re modification is helpful, we will include it in a future release.

Q: Will this slow down my browsing at all?
A: No. The images are loaded locally.

Q: Don’t you realize this will bring the end of online advertising, the free internet, destroy the newspaper industry, and/or bring more invasive advertising?
A: Oh stop, you flatter us!

Seriously, here’s some things to consider:

• You downloaded the page, and you own it. It’s yours and you can do whatever you want to it. Just like if you get a free newspaper, you can read it, or cut it up, or burn it. It’s your life and you have no legal obligation to look at every ad presented to you.
• People that use Ad Blocking software are not people that click on ads or even respond favorably to them. There is no loss in the market when these users block ads.
• If we extend the logic of Ad Blockers destroying the free iternet then online ad blocking pales in comparison to the number of people destroying the television industry by going to the bathroom during commercial breaks, thereby stealing that content from the television companies. Don’t waste your time with us and go complain to them.
• Add-Art just replaces blocked ads with art. We didn’t write the code that blocks ads, we just piggyback onto it …and enthusiastically support it. If you want to complain about Ad Blockers, talk to the people at AdBlock Plus. But know that they’ve heard it all before and after hearing all those areguments they still don’t agree, so you might just save your energy and do something else.

Q: Aren’t you just replacing one ad with a different kind of ad?
A: Believing so also means believing that art and advertising are fundamentally the same. We don’t agree.

Q: I don’t like the art!
A: Fascinating! First of all, that’s not a question, that’s a statement. The art changes every 2 weeks on a Thursday. Maybe it might grow on you. If you really don’t like it, you can disable Add-Art until the next show goes online. Add-Art’s goal is not to replace ads with decoration or wallpaper that everyone finds comfortable or pleasing. You might like the idea of seeing art, but not like all the art you see. That’s ok. That’s how art is.

Q: You should make this for Google Chrome/Safari/IceWeasel/fill-in-the-blank!
A: Again, that’s not a question. That’s a request. And yes, someone should! This is a Free and Open Source project, meaning the code is free for you to change, update, and share. If you want a version for Chrome, take our code and make it yourself! (or hire someone).

General Questions

Q: What happens when I click on the art?
A: Hopefully nothing. This part is controlled by AdBlockPlus. We’ll be looking into what we can do with this in the future, but right now it is not a priority.

Q: Add-Art doesn’t seem to replace every ad. Why not?
A: While AdBlockPlus will block nearly every ad, some ads are not replaced with art. This is because these ads are not simply images but generated with scripts built into the page. We have some code that replaces many of these script based ads with art, but not all of them. We’re working on getting the rest.

Q: The art has been the same for more than 2 weeks, why?
A: As of version 0.7.0, Add-Art updates art in the background. You’ll see a dialog box when new art arrives. Click OK and restart Firefox. If you have any trouble, try the forum.

Q: Ugh, I hate that notification, how do I turn it off?
A: It’s a little complicated, but it’s explained in that forum.

Q: I am lazy and updating my add-ons must be be easier right?
A: Yes! Add-Art will occasionally ask you to update when new features are available. We work hard on them and want you to use them. The easiest way to keep track of updates for all your add-ons is using this Update Notifier add-on

Money Questions

Q: How much money do you make from this? How much money do the artists pay to participate?
A: None. Add-Art loses money. The artists and curators get a very small stipend from Add-Art for their participation. Other money goes to buy pizza and beer for the volunteer coders. All of this has been paid for through a modest grant from Rhizome, non-financial support from Eyebeam, and sweat equity. But we do accept donations.

Q: Are Add-Art donations tax deductible?
A: Yes, they are! Which means the more you give to Add-Art, the more we can pay artists and curators, and the less tax money that goes to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Everyone wins!

Technical Questions

Q: How do I install Add-Art?
A: Watch this video. You should be able to click on “Install” and Firefox will lead you though the rest. If for some reason add-art downloads to your desktop, drag the .xpi file into your FireFox window and Firefox will lead you through the rest.

Q: What browsers does Add-Art work with?
A: Add-Art works with Mozilla browsers, specifically Firefox version 2 and 3. Firefox is a free and open source browser and, because of this, allows users to extend Firefox, letting you personalize your browsing experience. Horay for that.

Q: What is AdBlock Plus and why do I need it?
A: AdBlockPlus works together with Add-Art to replace ads on websites. AdBlockPlus blocks the advertising on pages, then Add-Art replaces the blank space with art. Without AdBlockPlus, Add-Art does not work, which is why we include it the Add-Art package. (By the way, thanks to Wladimir Palant, the creator of AdBlockPlus for making Add-Art possible!)

Q: AdBlock Plus asks about a filter list, what do I do?
A: AdBlock Plus needs a filter list to work. The filter list tells AdBlock Plus what to block. It is updated be volunteers so when you subscribe you will always have the latest list. Choose one based on the country you are in (Easylist works well if you’re in the US).

But I didn’t get asked about a filter list!
A: No problem, you can subscribe at the Easylist site.

Q: Do you have a version history I can check out?
A: We certainly do have a version history. It’s at our development site.

But, but, but…

Q: My question isn’t answered here, what do I do?
A: go to our forums.