Comments on: Is AdBlock “Evil”?

By: Someone

Someone — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:57:35 +0000

Also, ABP is pretty crappish. Use NoScript instead, THAT is an anti-ad-software. Pure evil, so to speak.

On topic: I will never-ever-EVER going to click on any ad because you never know to what unsanitary places they may take you. Hence, I need not waste CPU time on them, let alone patience. I also “block” TV ads by changing the channel. Maybe people should sell their stuff by it being worth to be bought again, and not them shouting the loudest.

By: todd g

todd g — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:51:19 +0000

yep

By: redwall_hp

redwall_hp — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:04:13 +0000

Cool.

And the new site goes live next week…?

By: todd g

todd g — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:29:01 +0000

yeah, definitely, once we get the new version live next week and then finish off the new version of the ad code we'll be devoting some time to the wpplugin stuff.

By: redwall_hp

redwall_hp — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:21:27 +0000

I tried asking too, and got a similar response. So I did a *little* bit of trolling in the thread. They were so unreasonable I couldn't resist…

Just wondering, have you considered mentioning Thaya's BSA plugin on the BuySellAds blog? http://omninoggin.com/wordpres.....ll-… It's helped increase my impression estimate significantly.

By: todd g

todd g — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:47:29 +0000

i think it's under "s3.buysellads.com" in easylist. I tried to get them to remove it from the list: http://forums.lanik.us/viewtop.....t=2… but once I learned of the gentleman's attitude that runs the list I immediately realized that it would be a waste of time. And, even with over 10K users at BSA right now I doubt that a petition with even all members signing would change his mind (especially since they're BSA users ). So, the best course of action in my opinion is to work around it in the code like redwall_hp has done with his BSA plugin. HOWEVER, despite the heavy usage of easylist/adblock, stats are still looking pretty good these days for the majority of our advertisers and we don't have time to wage this war just yet.

By: redwall_hp

redwall_hp — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:10:17 +0000

"My thinking is that if you felt like you needed Adblock, you should hang out in a better neighborhood "

Not a bad idea. I still maintain that the reason AdBlock came into existence was out of people's irritation from the explosion of ads in more recent years. In other words, it's the ad networks' fault.

"I haven't taken any steps at all against adblockers, but it occurs to me that this software is most effective at removing non-intrusive ads (like adsense) and does little about ads that would make you bang your keyboard in a rage."

True. I was livid when I saw that BuySellAds.com had been added to the ever-popular EasyList filter that most AdBlock users run. Finally an ad network promoting good banner practices (they don't even allow Flash!) and decent payment for the publishers, and the AdBlockers go and add it to their blacklist…

I have a couple newer posts on these topics, if you're interested.

” target=”_blank”>http://www.webmaster-source.co.....9/what-y...
” target=”_blank”>http://www.webmaster-source.co.....3/buysel...
” target=”_blank”>http://www.webmaster-source.co.....8/how-to...

By: WulfTheSaxon

WulfTheSaxon — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:32:43 +0000

While I don’t have AdBlock set to block everything it can, I have to disagree with Kevin’s idea that people doing that could kill the Internet. Some of the most popular websites have no ads (Wikipedia), and many others have subscriptions to hide the ads (Ars Technica, Weather Underground). Even ignoring that, it should be noted that commercial use of the Internet was initially banned… If it ~~survived~~ thrived without any commercial use at all, surely it could survive without one of the three common commercial revenue methods (ads, subscriptions and one-time fees/pay-per-view – not to mention online retailers).

It should be noted that Kevin wound up here because I had cited your post as mirroring my beliefs on the matter (that overzealous advertising agencies are to blame for the desire to block ads, and that users have the right to block ones they feel are particularly obtrusive) in a PM to him at a forum.

BTW: Is there a better list than EasyList*? I’d be happy to switch if there was (and I’d turn off the BuySellAds.com filter if you could point me to which one it is – I can’t seem to find it). I do what I can to keep AdBlock in check (e.g. turning off “element blocking”), but I still feel the need to use it – there are still quite a few unavoidable sites out there that feature highly obtrusive ads.

* and if there isn’t, perhaps you should write one

By: Kevin Vand

Kevin Vand — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:44:38 +0000

People like free. It's an inescapable reality.

I haven't taken any steps at all against adblockers, but it occurs to me that this software is most effective at removing non-intrusive ads (like adsense) and does little about ads that would make you bang your keyboard in a rage.

I look around here. Nice site. Good content. Nothing bothered me. My thinking is that if you felt like you needed Adblock, you should hang out in a better neighborhood

By: redwall_hp

redwall_hp — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:05:40 +0000

It's been awhile since I wrote this, and I imagine my views have changed a bit, but I think what I meant was that it would be a good idea to supplement advertising income with other means, such as premium services. Ars Technica makes a lot of money off their ads, but they also have some paid plans that allow access to additional content (and remove the ads for those who pay).

I make pretty much all of my money off ads, and I don't like it when people block them. (I also take steps to discourage blocking, through a neat randomization plugin available at Omninoggin.com.) I wholly agree with your statement that the "Universal adoption of software like adblock would be internet suicide."