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“Allow non-intrusive advertising” option is enabled by default for all users but the ones using privacy filter lists (EasyPrivacy, Fanboy’s Tracking, Adverisity Privacy). The documentation explains why it has to be enabled by default.
Because that's unfortunately the only way to reach the goals outlined above. If we ask users to enable this feature then most of them won't do it — simply because they never change any settings unless absolutely necessary. However, advertisers will only be interested in switching to better ways of advertising if the majority of Adblock Plus users has this feature enabled.
Yes it can be disabled, but it's also now the default and I for one struggle to understand how a program that is supposed to just block ads, which is downloaded, installed and used by users who presumably want to block ads, is now going to allow "acceptable ads" by default. The arguments about supporting "free" ad funded sites (such as this one) aside, should a program that claims to be an ad blocker, block ads, or should it pick and choose by default? If people want to block annoying crap like flash ads and pop ups, while letting through "acceptable ads" there are other ways to achieve this, they don't need adblock+.
The argument that it had to be the default or users simply wouldn't bother to turn it off doesn't wash as that same apathy will work for them in keeping it on - which is obviously what they're counting on. It's quite obvious that ad companies have gotten involved somewhere here...
should a program that claims to be an ad blocker, block ads, or should it pick and choose by default?
Your question is invalid. The program is developed by an author, to do what author wants to be done. "Should"/"shouldn't" is irrelevant - developers decide what it does.
If you do not like how it works, you can grab source code, fork and modify it to suit your tastes.
You could think it's possible that there's some money from advertisers here..anyway it doesn't really matter, as long as it stays configurable. Almost everyone bothering to install adblock will tune it (in fact whenever you install a piece of software and leave the defaults you are exposed to whatever may happen, that's negligence).
If they had took out the option to block everything you want maybe, but as it is, "End of adblock" seems a bit much.
The argument that it had to be the default or users simply wouldn't bother to turn it off doesn't wash as that same apathy will work for them in keeping it on - which is obviously what they're counting on. It's quite obvious that ad companies have gotten involved somewhere here...
I agree, it is not an argument. Still, it is NOT the end of adblock+, because you can still turn it off. When you won't be able to turn it off, then it will be the end. Then I'll probably use privoxy like syg00 suggests.
I agree probably not the end of adblock+, but for me yes - I am simply not interested in running an ad funded ad blocker... As I already use noscript and ghostery anyway, I don't think I'll miss it much.
Quote:
Will all "acceptable" ads be unblocked?
No. Unfortunately, it isn't technically possible to recognize "acceptable" ads automatically. We have agreements with some websites and advertisers that only advertising matching our criteria will be used, their ads will be unblocked then. We hope to grow our list significantly over time.
Fortunately, AdBlock Plus "gave itself away" when it lost a list and presented the display, which prompted me to have a look at the defaults. I found the option and promptly turned it off.
On my computer, an advertisement has to first run the gauntlet of Privoxy, then make it through AdBlock, in order to (never...) make it to my screen.
I very simply couldn't use the Internet if I had to endure the deluge of advertisements.
I very simply couldn't use the Internet if I had to endure the deluge of advertisements.
Me too. If any of you don't believe it, disable it. I was completely shocked when I used a Window$ machine a while ago at some hotel and it only had IE and the net was pure evil.
Nevertheless, this is effectively a double-cross by the inventor and heretofore-respected author of AdBlock, because it represents an attempt by that author to weaken the product ... obviously (I think...) so that he personally can receive kickbacks from the advertisers whose ads will now be "acceptable."
A truly open-source ad blocking plugin, that no one can adversely control or weaken, is therefore necessary, and I wonder where does one begin to create, say, a SourceForge project to do this? We can't leave something this important to so many of us in the hands of a single individual.
I had an even bigger issue with the update. My filter rules, some rather laboriously crafted over the years, got totally wiped out, leaving me with an empty filter table and Adblock proclaiming, "Adblock won't do anything without filters." I've restored version 1.3.10 from backup, and plan to remain with that version indefinitely.
Well, there's one other nice side-effect ... it prompted me to finally ditch Firefox and go back to Opera. I find that I like a browser that's ready to go in one second flat. I remember those days. Fondly.
I've ditched firefox for opera in the past and always ended up back with firefox... opera is very good, but the add ons are not as numerous or as good and there is no autocomplete which makes it cumbersome. I also like the typed in address history drop down which other browsers like opera and chrome seem to lack. I'm sure Opera had this in earlier versions but unless I'm blind it looks like it has been removed.
I've ditched firefox for opera in the past and always ended up back with firefox... opera is very good, but the add ons are not as numerous or as good and there is no autocomplete which makes it cumbersome. I also like the typed in address history drop down which other browsers like opera and chrome seem to lack. I'm sure Opera had this in earlier versions but unless I'm blind it looks like it has been removed.
Opera has been my main browser since 2005, it's still the snappier out there and now all pages are rendered well. When I want to browse secure, or develop, or quick change proxies (like SOCKS via ssh to my work, Squid->Privoxy->TOR, or plain Squid) I start FF. I use Chrome too, mainly for Google stuff, but without extensions.
Btw opera has more extensions now, and yes it does have the history drop down (at least here, I'm using last version).
Opera has been my main browser since 2005, it's still the snappier out there and now all pages are rendered well. When I want to browse secure, or develop, or quick change proxies (like SOCKS via ssh to my work, Squid->Privoxy->TOR, or plain Squid) I start FF. I use Chrome too, mainly for Google stuff, but without extensions.
Btw opera has more extensions now, and yes it does have the history drop down (at least here, I'm using last version).
I just clean installed Opera 11.60 and as with previous versions I cannot see the history drop down. Either it's not there or I'm being thick. I've typed in addresses to generate some history, but the drop down is simply not there.
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