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Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

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141–150 of 486 posts

Re: Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

#141
Technically we do not need "proof" that our users are human, not even when using AdSense to monetize our websites.

The only reason Google think we do is because they implemented AdSense incorrectly. E.g. Using an impractical and underpriced PPC model. If they used a fixed pricing model this would not be a problem, and fake clicks would not even be an issue.

Re: Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

#142

I hate to say it, but if you used Chrome to read this, then you're part of the problem. Awful stuff like this wouldn't stand a chance if Google didn't have such a near-monopoly position. For the sake of the open internet, please switch to a different browser. IMO, Firefox is best*, but even something chromium based is probably fine. Just not Google Chrome. * On desktop - Firefox is a bit weaker on Android, with an ex…

Web standards are a part of the problem that few people think about. Existing rendering engines grew along with the standards. However, the standards (especially CSS) have become so absurdly complex that implementing a new engine would be nearly impossible. Even Microsoft caved, and Edge is now essentially Chrome.

Some will point out that Chrome is based on open-source software. In reality, however, Google has a huge amount of power here. If Google is serious about this initiative, they will try to force it into the projects, and make it an essential part of the web experience. As others have pointed out, Google is also a primary supporter of Firefox, so they have influence there as well.

Re: Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

#143
post #131

Do you know what puzzles me most? How can software engineers work on something like this? Don't those paid engineers or involved ones have the balls or dignity to walk away? I'm just wondering how they would feel about this (if they feel anything at all). I mean, if I'd be in such a position and asked to push something like this I'd have walked away on the spot, no matter what you offer me. No one at Google is standi…

They get paid lots of money.

But surely those folks can walk away and put in their CV that they quit because they were in charge of implementing one of the worst ideas the history of internet has seen so far. Wouldn't you hire someone that puts that in their resume?

Re: Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

#144
post #128

I hate to say it, but if you used Chrome to read this, then you're part of the problem. Awful stuff like this wouldn't stand a chance if Google didn't have such a near-monopoly position. For the sake of the open internet, please switch to a different browser. IMO, Firefox is best*, but even something chromium based is probably fine. Just not Google Chrome. * On desktop - Firefox is a bit weaker on Android, with an ex…

I'm honestly (as in putting in multiple hours) trying to switch to Firefox every 4 to 5 months. I tried at least 4 times. I do the dance of migrating bookmarks, passwords, layout preferences, add-ons, workflows, setting up sync, installing on all Android and desktop devices ... and then i run into issues, try to fix some of them, research, then give up and go back to chrome and don't think about it anymore until anot…

Can you elaborate on the issues you're running into with Firefox? Hopefully we can help you sort these out!

Re: Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

#145
post #97

I hate to say it, but if you used Chrome to read this, then you're part of the problem. Awful stuff like this wouldn't stand a chance if Google didn't have such a near-monopoly position. For the sake of the open internet, please switch to a different browser. IMO, Firefox is best*, but even something chromium based is probably fine. Just not Google Chrome. * On desktop - Firefox is a bit weaker on Android, with an ex…

I agree, I use Firefox everywhere. But we must not forget the following: In 2011 Mozilla income was 85% derrived from Google, through the primary search engine deal. Around a billion was paid over three years as part of this deal at some point. Appearantly there was bidding by Microsoft for making Bing the default, which pushed up the pricing. So every time Mozilla speaks out against Google, it is a bit awkward, sinc…

Yet the development of the browser is seeing a smaller fraction of that income than most people believe.

Re: Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

#146
post #112

I hate to say it, but if you used Chrome to read this, then you're part of the problem. Awful stuff like this wouldn't stand a chance if Google didn't have such a near-monopoly position. For the sake of the open internet, please switch to a different browser. IMO, Firefox is best*, but even something chromium based is probably fine. Just not Google Chrome. * On desktop - Firefox is a bit weaker on Android, with an ex…

I use Edge. I think Edge is a realistically viable competitor, especially with Bing chat sidebar. It's also faster than Safari on MacOS

Edge is just chromium. It is not a competitor.

Re: Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

#147

I hate to say it, but if you used Chrome to read this, then you're part of the problem. Awful stuff like this wouldn't stand a chance if Google didn't have such a near-monopoly position. For the sake of the open internet, please switch to a different browser. IMO, Firefox is best*, but even something chromium based is probably fine. Just not Google Chrome. * On desktop - Firefox is a bit weaker on Android, with an ex…

You can actually use more extensions on Android. It's just more involved than it should be. The trick is to create an "extension collection" from your Mozilla account. Then you can use any extension, and a lot of them just work.

I know but it never worked for me. I followed the procedure twice, two different years, two different installs. I'm always doing something wrong. On Mozilla's side, why are they even doing that to us on Nightly?

Re: Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

#148

I hate to say it, but if you used Chrome to read this, then you're part of the problem. Awful stuff like this wouldn't stand a chance if Google didn't have such a near-monopoly position. For the sake of the open internet, please switch to a different browser. IMO, Firefox is best*, but even something chromium based is probably fine. Just not Google Chrome. * On desktop - Firefox is a bit weaker on Android, with an ex…

Does Opera count? It uses Chromium.

Re: Google engineers want to make ad-blocking (near) impossible

#149
post #112

I hate to say it, but if you used Chrome to read this, then you're part of the problem. Awful stuff like this wouldn't stand a chance if Google didn't have such a near-monopoly position. For the sake of the open internet, please switch to a different browser. IMO, Firefox is best*, but even something chromium based is probably fine. Just not Google Chrome. * On desktop - Firefox is a bit weaker on Android, with an ex…

I use Edge. I think Edge is a realistically viable competitor, especially with Bing chat sidebar. It's also faster than Safari on MacOS

That's just exchanging one demon on your shoulder for another.
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