Yaysoft Redefining Pointlessness

ARS Tech vs. AdBlock Plus

I don't usually read ARS Tech--in fact, I hadn't heard of them until someone pointed this article out on another website I visit.  Basically, they make a point that using browser add-ons like AdBlock Plus is hurting websites that you rely on for news because they don't get paid for the ads that are displayed.

The article says that even if you are a person who NEVER clicks on ads, the mere fact that the ad is displayed is money in their pockets.

One would be a fool to argue that websites shouldn't get revenue--to pay for hosting, pay a staff, or just to jump into a pile of ivory back scratchers.

The problem however is with content control.  I'm not sure exactly how web adverts work, but I understand the website doesn't have a lot of control over what is being advertised.

Countless people have called me to help them remove a Trojan or a program that is slowing their system down because of an advertisement they clicked on.   After giving it a cleaning, I usually install Firefox and AdBlock Plus along with anti spyware and anti virus programs and they never call me again, except to hang out or whatever.

I would gladly give up ad blocking if I knew it would be 100% safe.  I'm one who has learned to automatically tune them out. However, I know from experience that this is never the case.  Shoot the monkey and win a free trip to Somalia, or a pop up that says "Antivirus 2101 dectected 1,200,001 viruses OMG!" tells me that I NEED to block these.  I'm sorry you aren't getting paid for your great site, but come on--these ads are killing computers!

So, have your say--what do you think?