AD POPUP WINDOWS, A NECESSARY EVIL?
Surfing the Internet, especially if you have a
fast connection, has become the new American pastime. So many of us
are turning away from the TV screen and facing the computer screen
instead. Don't get me wrong. When I'm ready for some mindless
entertainment where the only interaction I want is pressing the remote
control, TV is still the way to go. But the interesting thing is that
the Internet is fast becoming not only a resource of information, but
it is also becoming an alternative source of entertainment.
When watching commercial television, we have
come to love and hate the commercials. Commercials are an accepted
part of TV viewing. We either watch or ignore them, maybe quickly
change the channel to see what else is on, or get up to grab a snack
or take a break. But whatever the case, we accept them for what they
are. Commercials are what make the programming we watch possible.
Commercial television is an advertising-driven business and we the
viewers have accepted that fact. But we are not so accepting yet when
it comes to the Internet.
Most of what we see on the Internet follows the
same basic television ad-driven business model. All those free
services we enjoy online have to get their revenue from somewhere.
Granted that many business web sites can generate the needed income
from elsewhere within their business. But most rely on ads to pay the
freight on developing and maintaining a costly web site. Ad banners
and popup windows are typically the most popular method of advertising
on the Internet. But it is the popup windows that seems to illicit the
most violent viewer response.
Popup windows are usually, but not always
smaller sized windows that appear on your screen as you navigate to a
web page. Popup windows usually contain some kind of ad and link to
another location. Used to be that the popup window would contain a
product or service related to the page you selected, but these days it
could contain anything. Pop-under windows appear underneath the main
window so you don't even know they are there until after you close the
main window page. But the most annoying attribute of a popup is when
one or more popup windows spring open when you close another one.
Depending on how their creator set them up, these windows may
replicate once or they can replicate without end, sometimes opening so
prolifically that you must quit the browser application as an only
recourse to stopping them. Personally, I don't mind a popup window or
two but violently slamming them open over and over again can be quite
aggravating. Fortunately, you can do something about it.
PopUpProtector from RedV Network is a little
application that kills popup ad windows. Notice I said AD windows
because sometimes, a popup window is a good thing. For example, popups
might contain a definition or added information when you click on a
link. PopUpProtector attempts to discern the difference between ad and
useful popups via its SmartSense Technology. Once installed, opening a
new window is allowed. If a window tries to open by itself, SmartSense
will stop it, but you always have control to allow any window to pop
up by holding down a special key. In the above example, if you were
about to click on a definition window, you would want to disable
PopUpProtector just for that one click.
PopUpProtector also keeps track of how many
popup windows it suppressed so you can see how many interruptions you
avoided. It can even be configured to play an alert sound when a popup
is stopped but trust me when I say you'll probably disable that
feature after a short time has passed.
Granted, the Internet needs advertising to pay
for things. Yes, there are alternatives such as pay-per-view and
member-only subscription sites. But for the general public who wants
unrestricted access to information and services, expect to see
advertising on the web as a part of your Internet life.
PopUpProtector works with Windows and sells for
$19.95.
www.popupprotector.com
If you have a Macintosh, check out some of the
fine shareware selections such as Pop-Up Zapper, No Popups, ADGate and
PopUpX. All are available at Versiontracker.com for a nominal
shareware fee. |
