-- POPUPS -- please read

[Grumbold]

If I had to shut down a popup for every thread I browsed while at work as I seem to have to at home then I would not be browsing here at all. I didn't mind occasional britney popups but there seems to be an avalanche of new intrusive ads lately (10 popups in this session alone so far, 90% eBay.)

I think you need to strike a careful balance here. Too few and you earn no income. Too many and almost everyone is going to reluctantly reach for a blocker even if they feel your site deserves strong support.

[MarkG]

If I had to shut down a popup for every thread I browsed

nothing like this has been reported lately. what's your operating system/browser? do you have cookies enabled?

[Whaleboy]

if you need something like that to be in the official user policy, we'll be adding that specifically.

Well if it's a condition of using the site, with users being penalised as a result of them using pop-up blockers (can you confirm that you have a method of finding out, and whether or not there are exceptions per OS, browser, or firewalls etc), then you most certainly need to specify that. Be careful though, since very many people (not quite sure of numbers but you're most likely talking way over 30%) have either a pop-up blocker installed for IE, or are using Mozilla, Firebird or Opera (and the numbers there are increasing), that have pop-up protection. Firebird iirc has it enabled by default, and from the perspective of a general internet user, it makes sense to have them (possible security risk, takes up time, convenience etc etc).

By stipulating as a condition of use that we cannot use this software, or have it at a certain setting (which is disruptive the rest of our internet activities), you may well be alienating a lot of people, and given the spread of this technology, it is not a decision I would take in your place. Also consider this:

http://www.ojr.org/ojr/glaser/1071011476.php

The next version of IE will have an integrated pop-up blocker. Would you stipulate then that we must have pop-up blockers off?

I'm not going to tell you how to run your business but in as far as I can go, I advise you to revise this policy, and also prepare an alternate funding method, as pop-ups would seem to be doomed.

I will continue to use Mozilla with the pop-up blocker enabled, I have never purchased anything from such a link, nor will I. I prefer Mozilla to any other browser, it has features that I use regularly, I do not have IE installed. Generally speaking, I find the pop-up blocker to be useful to me and increasing my productivity. I have used Amazon via your links so I have generated revenue for the site. Will you publicise a change in the terms and conditions?

[MarkG]

We have stated lots of times that using pop-up blockers is harming Apolyton. However we have not yet penalized anyone for doing such a thing. And yes, we can implement systems to even block these users.

Now if you want to hear it in an official tone, as of now, not using pop-up blockers is part of the user policy that you agree to by browsing our site.

[Ari Rahikkala]

/me pops by using Lynx

Really, though, I'm not sure if I've told about it before, but I'm among the very small group of people who have a popup "blocker" (I call it Mozilla Firebird) but enable pop-ups for Apolyton as an exception because of... well, partly loyalty, and partly a personally given oath...

... come to think of it, if I have, it was probably in this thread...

[Whaleboy]

Now if you want to hear it in an official tone, as of now, not using pop-up blockers is part of the user policy that you agree to by browsing our site.

Ok, but I politely request that you make this public, with people free to voice their objections if they desire. I will exempt Apolyton from my pop-up blocker unless they become too annoying, and upon any changes to that status I will notify you by PM. I also ask that you acknowledge my objection. I will make the changes later today. Be aware that I also access Apolyton at college which is about to impliment a pop-up blocker, so you should consider those that also access this site via computers over whose settings they do not have complete control.

What do you intend to do when pop-ups are effectively rendered obsolete and useless when the next version of IE is released?

[MarkG]

What do you intend to do when pop-ups are effectively rendered obsolete and useless when the next version of IE is released?

if/when that happens, pop-ups will be replace by other similar types of ads that already exist (pop-ins, layer ads, etc)

[DrSpike]

Or we could have a nice easy subscription model.

[Skanky Burns]

...which would probably pay Poly more than it would get from these popups (particularly blocked ones).

[Whaleboy]

if/when that happens, pop-ups will be replace by other similar types of ads that already exist (pop-ins, layer ads, etc)

Provided they are not intrusive, do not open or hijack existing windows, then you will hear no complaint from me . Now I have to go and research those types of ads...

[DrSpike]

I am seeing ever larger numbers of popups at the moment, though no dangerous ones as yet. What's the frequency you expect Mark?

[Provost Harrison]

Re: A little reason here....

Originally posted by Kahn
Out of curiosity has anyone here ever bought any product advertised by a pop-up?

I make a point of not

I've taken to blocking the buggers, some of them spawn more popups and I am prepared to allow so much but it is getting beyond a joke...

[Grumbold]

Originally posted by MarkG

If I had to shut down a popup for every thread I browsed

nothing like this has been reported lately. what's your operating system/browser? do you have cookies enabled?

This (work) PC is Windows 2000 SP4, IE 5, cookies enabled but behind a series of firewalls that I know nothing about but which do filter out most undesirable content. I've just run spybot and got rid of anything it found.

Going forums -> community -> this thread -> reply has already launched 3 popups: Travel Express, Ebay x2.

(edit) Hitting post brought up another then hitting edit to add this comment brought up a ladbrokes ad.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by MarkG
We have stated lots of times that using pop-up blockers is harming Apolyton. However we have not yet penalized anyone for doing such a thing. And yes, we can implement systems to even block these users.

Now if you want to hear it in an official tone, as of now, not using pop-up blockers is part of the user policy that you agree to by browsing our site.

Mark, can you offer an alternative? Is the "Ad-free" membership going to be available anytime soon?



Please...

[Agathon]

OK - I'm not getting rid of my pop up blocker because it's built in and I can't specify which sites to show pop ups. I'd be happy to do so for Poly, but I can't stand the mountain of porno pics I seem to get when I have pop ups turned on. There is no Google Toolbar on the mac because Safari has Google search built in.

But I've switched to the normal style. I was using special, but didn't know it meant.

I guess I'll have to buy a mug.