block and go... (Adblock Plus & EasyList)

I don't use any ad-block software. Why?

1. the slim chance that the ad-block could block out a critical message cancels out the convenience of having all the advertisements disappear.

2. ad-block typically only replaces advertisements with blank space. Ad-block doesn't allocate more screen space to the actual content, which is often wedged between a few columns of ads.

3. although I rarely find ads by search engine very useful, some Websites are very selective about what kind of ads they display. Sometimes this information is quite useful.

4. advertisements are a useful measure for sizing-up commercial businesses. I run into a company's page that has a lot of ads, I can almost immediately tell that the service that the business is offering is poor. If the service they were decent, they wouldn't stoop so low as to fill their site with advertisements. I can browse tons of newspapers and other publications On-line, at no cost, thanks to this system.

5. advertisements are the primary source of funding for media publications and Websites such as this one. Without sponsors, many publications would not be able to function.

That said, ad-block software has done us a great service. Pop-up windows used to be quite common. Given that everyone but a few hold-outs such as myself are using ad-block, I now rarely encounter pop-up windows.

I try to maintain respect for the need for advertising. It's too bad that so many websites and advertisers take advantage of every loophole to throw advertisements at us.

When the site that I'm using is well laid out and there is no gaudy nonsense going on, I'm encouraged to explore the page and even glance at the ads.

When an ad is annoying I try to get the offender out of view, and focus on the content I was after. The advertiser and the site loose me because I'm out of there as fast as I can.

Forcing a product in my face is not going to make me happy so I will go away.

Active content can make information friendly and fun more fun. I think it backfires mostly on the site for me when it gets to be too much. It's their policies that permit this, and most sites that permit this also have unfriendly practice too. It says a lot about a site when they let gaudy adds stomp all over their presentation.

jer

I have pretty much a mixed feeling towards ads. I usually don't install any ad block extension/software, but if I come across a site flooded with ads, it gets closed within 2 seconds...

Ads have a purpose if implemented properly and as users, I feel the need to respect website owners who choose that way to make up for their costs. For instance, LQ is purely a voluntary payment site (with the option to subscribe and turn off ads) so to me to block LQ's ads seems to be a bit unethical, particularly when I use it so much.

I doubt whether most ads earn enough money for website owners to actually give them profits.

theres a need to educate people how to setup and configure their browsers and to a certain extend "local" apps properly before they really touch them and do anything funny with them ...

it helps to cut down tremendously things and phenomenons like youtube , useless flashies and all those "everything is googling" types of educations ... helps to keep people honest and hardworking(in the sense of truth doesnt come too easy) ...


//i see the internet in its current state as a tv ...


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That's why I love using the Konqueror browser. Flash ads do not work. I dislike ads so much I have given up completely on ever watching any commercial televison. I block out LQ's ads by moving the screen up so the ads are not visible. Some websites are so bad I leave them before the page has finished loading.

Firefox + NoScript + Adblock Extensions

Sorry Opera (freewarez) fans.

Firefox with Extensions cannot be beat, period.

>> "Some websites are so bad I leave them before the page has finished loading."

try using only dillo for about 3 months in linux and you will learn how to see things more clearly like some kind of meditation ... will learn what are totally unnecessary which only accumulate piles and piles of somewhat repetitive junks and wastes and what are not ... you will lead a finer life without much grumbling ...but still , everything else are just fine for you too ...


believe me , if people could just learn how to dislike and "boycott"(i mean starts from oneself first) purported ads and signs of all sorts ... but its not going to happen anyway ...


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ok , something more serious ... to be more clearer ...

the reason why people should have get rid of those "ads and signs" on the internet is that the internet at it current state is actually people re-imaging and re-portraying bit by bit what we see in the real world without them knowing it and that is a bad thing in the long run ... in the end , nothing is new , progressive and safe ...


//the internet(networking in general) is a practical tool and not usefull means for achievement of timed purported goals and ends(whatever these means to anyone) ...


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I'm not sure I'd go along with "unethical" (surely we are allowed to exercise choice?) but I fully understand why website owners put ads on their sites, and I've certainly never been bothered by the ads here (which are not blocked). However...
This is what I mean. By doing deals with the more "in yer face" advertisers, I feel that many site owners are actually putting users off.
Yeah, I've noticed a tendency for the adverts to be LOUDER than the programmes. It can be a rude shock when the break comes on at 2am - particularly if you are just nodding off!

Rob

When I used opera, I loved it's features; block flash and certain images.

If anyone knows how to block flash and to leave an option somewhere near the address bar to let some sites go through, I'd love to know where you found it. For now I can only block images

Blocking scripts really helps. Annyoing ASP-based sites like PCWorld are horrific on this old machine, with FF an already slow browser. Scripts removed makes it nice and coherent.

If I see REALLY annyoing ads following me around, I leave. Especially if they put 2-3 paragraphs per page. It's just annoying.

>> "I feel that many site owners are actually putting users off."

you cant really let the masses triumph in just about everything ... right ?? ^_^


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At 62 I have had it with any advertizing at all! I am a grouchy old man! I do not sign petitions. I do not even answer my door; unless someone has phoned me and I am expecting them I do not want to be bothered even saying " No Thank You, I do not want any. "

I may be a little eccentric but I believe everyone is entitled to their own " space " and everyone else should respect that space. It is a little bit more than insulting for people to assume you are going to be gullible to their " come ons ".

Ads aren't always so bad, though. Internet and TV ads, though, ugh.

heh, the only reason why I read "The Monitor" is to look at the PC stores' ads :P

as much as i hate the adds, specially pop-up/pop-under adds, on web pages and they do make me want to beat devs over the head with my fists or feet, i use FireFox with Adblock and NoScript so i seldom see them more then 1 time anyways.

that being said my disdain for them is not that they are there, but that they can contain code that is not safe for most computers.