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"A new curse strikes the internet"

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Sat 26/10/02 at 00:52
Regular
Posts: 787
There's been an alarming number of websites featuring a horrendous new type of advert recently.

I think they're Flash or Java, but I'm not sure.

Basically, they pop up over the top of whatever web page you're viewing - but not in their own window, just as a free-floating image. They usually start out large, blocking your view of the page you're *trying* to look at, before reducing and tucking themselves away.

And there's sweet FA you can do about them, for at least a few seconds - until they eventually give you a little 'close' box.

Pop-up windows are one thing - you can close them instantly. But these things are a goddamn nuisance.

If you've been fortunate enough to avoid them so far, but are curious about them (you weirdo), have a look at one of these sites - they're just a couple I've been to recently that feature this plague...

http://www.football365.com
http://www.teamtalk.com

You may need to refresh a few times, as they have random adverts. Some are simple pop-ups, but it shouldn't be long before you encounter one of these monstrosities.

Surely it can't be long before there's some kind of control/regulations brough in to counter this crap?
Tue 29/10/02 at 17:06
"High polygon count"
Posts: 15,624
I don't object to advertising - I object to advertising which prevents me viewing what I want to see.

I always pay some attention to banner ads etc., but anything which forces itself on me - pop-up or Flash - is closed at the earliest opportunity, without a second glance (or even a first glance!) at the content.
Tue 29/10/02 at 00:11
Regular
"It goes so quickly"
Posts: 4,083
Suppose it just comes down to the fact that nothing is free.

Still, shame they had to invent this type of advert, but if it makes more money that a standard banner, then thats more of a reason to go for it.

However, at this point in time I still believe they will do more harm to a sites visitors than good. Well, the ones that practicly cover the whole page anyway.
Mon 28/10/02 at 23:17
Posts: 0
cjh wrote:
> As I can understand your point of view from the business side,you have
> to understand my point of view as a viewer to the site ... see how I
> mean??

I do understand your point of view, and to be honest, those kind of ads bug me to, but the only way these sites can afford to keep running is to run ads like those. They get a little bit of cash for banner ads, but these "rich media" ads earn much more in terms of advertising revenue.

> I can't see these types of adverts being any good.

Bottom line is, they keep people in work (me for one when I worked at Teamtalk! But also salesmen, flash designers, programmers, and the DoubleClick empire), and they keep content free. You may never know how close Teamtalk came to becoming a subscription only site, those ads keep it free. Evenutually, these web sites will shift to a pay-per-view model, you will then yearn for the days that you only had to put up with a little ad to get free content.
Sun 27/10/02 at 20:27
Regular
"It goes so quickly"
Posts: 4,083
... yes, but they don't put the ads over the top of the program do they, to put them inbetween.

Just like SR put their Ad's inbetween their links (sort of).

I understand your point about needing a method of making money to keep the site going (especailly like the ones you mention which offer a lot of great content), but I feel these types of ads don't help in getting people to come back in a hurry.

wwe.com uses these ads (as well as the normal banners), and I've had enough of them, so don't bother going to their site anymore.

As I can understand your point of view from the business side,you have to understand my point of view as a viewer to the site ... see how I mean??

I can't see these types of adverts being any good.
Sun 27/10/02 at 06:19
Posts: 0
I used to work at teamtalk.com, they have had those adverts for at least a year, they can be Flash, or Javascript, or a combination of both, there is usually a way to close them, but most of the time it's not very obvious, for obvious reasons.

Both Teamtalk.com and Football365.com give you free sports content, to read at your leisure, you don't have to subscribe, you just browse to the bit you want, read it, and go away again, but these companies have to make money. Teamtalk recently got bought out, and there were a lot of redundancies made to make the business "viable", those adverts you complain about are a valuable revenue stream that might just keep a few people in work.

It's exactly the same principle as ITV or C4, you get to watch programs for free, but you have to put up with the ads so that the company can raise the cash to make the programs.
Sat 26/10/02 at 23:08
Regular
"Want a cd key.."
Posts: 3,443
Yea I know, I've seen them about (http://www.freesmsmate.co.uk) and they are just, shizer.

Pointless shizer.
Sat 26/10/02 at 16:04
Regular
"MildlyAmusing.co.uk"
Posts: 5,029
One of the best (or worst, depending on how you look at it) examples is Yahoo UK.

http://uk.yahoo.com/

And yes, you're right. They're very annoying. My Webwasher doesn't even block them, because they're flash so it's hard to distinguish which is genuine, and which is one of these annoying adverts.

Good job I use Google, then.
Sat 26/10/02 at 12:16
Regular
"It goes so quickly"
Posts: 4,083
I know, I've seen these too. They are created in Flash, some covering half the page, and even scroll with you. Its something that really stops me re-visiting sites with these ads, they are just a joke.
Sat 26/10/02 at 12:02
Regular
"Ar-gen-tina!"
Posts: 8,818
even www.skysports.co.uk have got it, so annoying, this can only deter people from going on their website, dont companies realise this? I guess they get money from the sponsor so they dont really care.
Sat 26/10/02 at 11:20
"High polygon count"
Posts: 15,624
Monkey_With_Attitude wrote:
> and the sounds it makes which are unwanted and ruin the music you are
> listening to

Ah, good point - I forgot to mention the sounds.

As far as I'm concerned, this is effectively the unauthorised running of software on your computer. There is no warning that these adverts are being downloaded or run until they appear. At least with a pop-up it's just a window opening.

It's little more than a non-destructive virus as far as I'm concerned, and should be illegal.

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