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Poll: Do you use an ad-blocker?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Poll: Do you use an ad-blocker?

#83

Post by sliverstorm »

slg wrote: post #5

I would vote for a third option along the lines of "I allow ads but block flash or don't have it installed." I used to have an adblocker installed, but switched to blocking Flash as soon as I discovered the ability for Chrome to disable flash components until I click on them. This lets the good sites with unobtrusive ads still get their impressions and hides all of the really bad things like ads with video or sound.…

I have been doing this, but mostly because my laptop is pretty underpowered and modern adblock software seems to be even more of a heavyweight than the ads. Blocking flash then becomes the best solution for speed, as unlike other ads flash is trivial to block.

Re: Poll: Do you use an ad-blocker?

#85

Post by gorhill »

logicjello wrote: post #82

No. When I do traceback, i see header being sent back to there servers. Why? I have a feeling they're collecting data (probably anonymized) and selling off the data. Noticed about the same with Ghostery, and AdBlockerPlus.

Sorry but I have a hard time believing this. I did write an extension which allow to see these behind the scene requests, and I haven't seen anything so far out of the ordinary (update of filter lists) for the above mentioned extensions.

Without more specific information about what you said you found, it sounds FUD.

Re: Poll: Do you use an ad-blocker?

#88

Post by mbleigh »

alexanderss wrote: post #33

Yes, because I'm pro users rights. I don't believe people should be forced to look at (or sit through 30+second) ads for things they don't want or need, that are bad for them, or that perpetuate unhealthy stereotypes or behavior. People can choose those messages on their own through whatever media they seek out, but it shouldn't be compulsory. Aside from that, there are too many other ways to monetize in 2014, and th…

No one forces you to look at ads. You choose to visit websites that display ads. I don't personally understand why ads are such a big deal to some people.

That being said, I do sometimes acquire shows with unfriendly streaming situations through...other means, which is pretty much the same thing at the end of the day.

Re: Poll: Do you use an ad-blocker?

#89

Post by alexanderss »

mbleigh wrote: post #88
alexanderss wrote: post #33

Yes, because I'm pro users rights. I don't believe people should be forced to look at (or sit through 30+second) ads for things they don't want or need, that are bad for them, or that perpetuate unhealthy stereotypes or behavior. People can choose those messages on their own through whatever media they seek out, but it shouldn't be compulsory. Aside from that, there are too many other ways to monetize in 2014, and th…

No one forces you to look at ads. You choose to visit websites that display ads. I don't personally understand why ads are such a big deal to some people. That being said, I do sometimes acquire shows with unfriendly streaming situations through...other means, which is pretty much the same thing at the end of the day.

No, users have no idea how many or what kind of ads are going to be on a website before they get there, and some content has ads, others don't. Just a few examples are pre-roll ads on YouTube videos (some have them, some don't, it's not a choice), news articles with ads mid-paragraph, or sliced up into slideshows with ads to continue consuming or receive any content. You may not personally understand how insidious ads can be, but 450 Hacker News readers do. I didn't even cover the issues with tracking, privacy and potential malware.
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