mhkohne@kohne.org
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2017 10:16:10 -0500
I think the problem here is that many folks do not run ad-blockers in order to block ads. They run ad-blockers in order to avoid their systems being infested by malware coming in through the ad network. They run ad-blockers in order to avoid their systems suddenly slowing down because an ad has started doing something processor intensive. They run ad-blockers in order to avoid their browsers spawning new tabs which start playing video or audio. They run ad-blockers because some ads are fantastically creepy in how they target you for certain products after you look at something on one website.
In other words: The presence of ads IS NOT the problem. It's the form of the ads, and the potential for harm that comes with them that's the problem.
Most web sites don't control their own ad content - they use ad networks that pick the ads on the fly based on all sorts of factors. And these ad networks are regularly used as malware vectors (even though they try REALLY hard to avoid it).
If the websites want people to not block ads, then perhaps the solution isn't ad-blocker-blockers, but rather, ads that aren't annoying, in-your-face, blaring-out-your-speakers video, which oh yea might also have some malware tagging along for the ride.
In other words, if they don't want people using ad blockers, perhaps the websites should take control of their own ads, make some guarantees about what's OK and what's not, and stop being stalker-level creepy.
john@bechtel.me.uk
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:29:58 +0000
Yup. Absolutely. But its not my website, I am merely a visitor to it. If
I don't like what they do -- be it ads or indeed malware (and yes, I use an ad
blocker primarily for that also)… then I don't go there. Its their decision
to make about how they treat their site visitors (knowingly or unknowingly),
its our decision to be treated that way or not.
mhkohne@kohne.org
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2017 07:28:00 -0500
Fair enough. I think, personally, that by just walking away we let these bozos go on believing that people are just cheap, instead of there being a number of valid reasons that people run ad-blockers. The market may catch up to them at some point, but who knows what we'll lose along the way?