Comments on: How to avoid ads in Gmail (or not) http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 09:19:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: dhuff http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556809 dhuff Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556809 @10 So if you don't like, then don't use it. Simple. But going on and on about how <i>oh noes! teh Googlz in my brainz!</i> is kinda silly. As for the ads, what do y'all want ? Running Google costs money - get over it. It's the deal we made when we (freely) decided to use their services... @10 So if you don’t like, then don’t use it. Simple. But going on and on about how oh noes! teh Googlz in my brainz! is kinda silly.

As for the ads, what do y’all want ? Running Google costs money – get over it. It’s the deal we made when we (freely) decided to use their services…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556812 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556812 Poison also works, as evidenced by the no ads on an email I got about a Poison/Def Leppard concert. Poison also works, as evidenced by the no ads on an email I got about a Poison/Def Leppard concert.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-975628 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-975628 There is an elegant way to remove the ads, use google chrome extension called "better gmail" you can find it here https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/mgdnblnolcinnndenjnollpiplgkbjcn?hl=en There is an elegant way to remove the ads, use google chrome extension called “better gmail” you can find it here

https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/mgdnblnolcinnndenjnollpiplgkbjcn?hl=en

]]> By: arnearne http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-559888 arnearne Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-559888 >#6: barely even notice 'em. I can't see it'd be the effort to try and block them. "God, I'm thirsty for a Cuke" >#6: barely even notice ‘em. I can’t see it’d be the effort to try and block them.

“God, I’m thirsty for a Cuke”

]]> By: PaulR http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-557076 PaulR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-557076 I <b>HAD</b> to try: http://www.tablesawattorney.com "If you have been injured in a table saw accident..." which links to the <i>non-DC-Comics</i> link: http://www.justiceforall.com/ Gobsmacked! I HAD to try:

http://www.tablesawattorney.com
“If you have been injured in a table saw accident…”

which links to the non-DC-Comics link:
http://www.justiceforall.com/

Gobsmacked!

]]> By: webmonkees http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-560404 webmonkees Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-560404 Well, it would be nice if they had a link for 'sorry, this ad doesn't now, or ever apply to my interests'. Now I gotta go cut some wood with my table saw. It's been acting up lately, though.. Well, it would be nice if they had a link for
‘sorry, this ad doesn’t now, or ever apply to my interests’.

Now I gotta go cut some wood with my table saw. It’s been acting up lately, though..

]]> By: downdb http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556821 downdb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556821 So, if I understand it correctly... Small text-based ads in Gmail = BAD, should be blocked. Big, imaged-based ads on BoingBoing = GOOD, should be read and clicked-through so that BoingBoing gets money from HP, Sprint, Toyota, Microsoft, and Federated Media. So, if I understand it correctly…

Small text-based ads in Gmail = BAD, should be blocked.

Big, imaged-based ads on BoingBoing = GOOD, should be read and clicked-through so that BoingBoing gets money from HP, Sprint, Toyota, Microsoft, and Federated Media.

]]> By: genji http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556822 genji Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556822 To make the words less obtrusive, one could write them in "invisible" (that is, white) ink. nIf the message is short, they would still appear in the preview, though. To make the words less obtrusive, one could write them in “invisible” (that is, white) ink. nIf the message is short, they would still appear in the preview, though.

]]> By: jaytkay http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-559894 jaytkay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-559894 So easy! I merely have to train everybody who might send me an email to use this unobtrusive technique!! Please send me a list of everybody who might send me an email so I can get started! TIA!!! So easy! I merely have to train everybody who might send me an email to use this unobtrusive technique!!

Please send me a list of everybody who might send me an email so I can get started! TIA!!!

]]> By: Piers W http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-557080 Piers W Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-557080 #THEFUTURE in order for web pages to make money on ads quite often one has to click through. Are we 'ethically' obliged to do that as well? #THEFUTURE in order for web pages to make money on ads quite often one has to click through. Are we ‘ethically’ obliged to do that as well?

]]> By: stuffisthings http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-560413 stuffisthings Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-560413 All the people who claim not to notice the ads are right. This phenomenon is called "banner blindness" and has been recognized by Web designers for years and years (funny example: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/fancy-formatting.html). Personally, I've never been bothered by the ads, and in fact am frequently amused when I happen to notice them. And based on the research I've seen, I'd be willing to bet the sum of all the milliseconds your eyes have spent flitting over Gmail text ads in your entire life so far is less than the time it takes to download and configure blockers for them. I'm all about free stuff on the Internet, but it's a little silly that some people seem to think they have a constitutional right to ad-free browsing because some poorly-designed ads on poorly-designed sites might potentially have harmful scripts that slow down their browser. Uh huh, and all those games you download are "backups," right? What really scares me is, a few weeks ago I hurt my knee, and gmail was serving me knee-injury-related ads BEFORE I HAD EVEN EMAILED ANYONE ABOUT IT. Spooky! All the people who claim not to notice the ads are right. This phenomenon is called “banner blindness” and has been recognized by Web designers for years and years (funny example: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/fancy-formatting.html).

Personally, I’ve never been bothered by the ads, and in fact am frequently amused when I happen to notice them. And based on the research I’ve seen, I’d be willing to bet the sum of all the milliseconds your eyes have spent flitting over Gmail text ads in your entire life so far is less than the time it takes to download and configure blockers for them. I’m all about free stuff on the Internet, but it’s a little silly that some people seem to think they have a constitutional right to ad-free browsing because some poorly-designed ads on poorly-designed sites might potentially have harmful scripts that slow down their browser. Uh huh, and all those games you download are “backups,” right?

What really scares me is, a few weeks ago I hurt my knee, and gmail was serving me knee-injury-related ads BEFORE I HAD EVEN EMAILED ANYONE ABOUT IT. Spooky!

]]> By: Thad E Ginataom http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-557350 Thad E Ginataom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-557350 By beginning with AdBlock Plus, then going on to redirect all those ad-serving and statistics-gathering sites by pointing them at 127.0.0.1 in the hosts file, I have pretty-much got rid of internet advertising. If people think that makes me some sort of slimy internet parasite --- fine; the ads make me feel worse than people thinking that! By beginning with AdBlock Plus, then going on to redirect all those ad-serving and statistics-gathering sites by pointing them at 127.0.0.1 in the hosts file, I have pretty-much got rid of internet advertising.

If people think that makes me some sort of slimy internet parasite — fine; the ads make me feel worse than people thinking that!

]]> By: userw014 http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556849 userw014 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556849 I use Gmail and I'm not bothered by advertisements. On the other hand, I use Gmail through Mail.app and Thunderbird Frankly, given how often drive-by trojans affect advertisements, I am not about to use a web browser for important communications (or other important work for that matter.) Using the web for important or critical work strikes me about as sensible as a campfire in drought striken woods, wall-to-wall carpeting in a basement, or an adjustable rate mortgage. I use Gmail and I’m not bothered by advertisements.

On the other hand, I use Gmail through Mail.app and Thunderbird

Frankly, given how often drive-by trojans affect advertisements, I am not about to use a web browser for important communications (or other important work for that matter.) Using the web for important or critical work strikes me about as sensible as a campfire in drought striken woods, wall-to-wall carpeting in a basement, or an adjustable rate mortgage.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556598 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556598 I just want to know how I can get them to stop advertising mail-order brides whenever I write to my Asian American friends. Yuck. I just want to know how I can get them to stop advertising mail-order brides whenever I write to my Asian American friends. Yuck.

]]> By: Chocolatey Shatner http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556864 Chocolatey Shatner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556864 Man, I knew buying Google ads to advertise my new gang rape murder suicide business was a bad idea... Man, I knew buying Google ads to advertise my new gang rape murder suicide business was a bad idea…

]]> By: Bill Albertson http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556609 Bill Albertson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556609 Or... you could use Firefox and the adblock plus add-on. Or… you could use Firefox and the adblock plus add-on.

]]> By: thefuture http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556611 thefuture Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556611 To be fair, I think it is mildly unethical to go out of your way to block ads on a free service that derives its revenue from those very non-intrusive, non-popup ads. Not to mention I for one find the ads far less jarring than the occurence of the words "suicide" and "rape" in my incoming mail. Cool find nevertheless. To be fair, I think it is mildly unethical to go out of your way to block ads on a free service that derives its revenue from those very non-intrusive, non-popup ads. Not to mention I for one find the ads far less jarring than the occurence of the words “suicide” and “rape” in my incoming mail.

Cool find nevertheless.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556621 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556621 The google email ads are tolerable - I just ignore them (or laugh at some of the funny hits I get). It's the floating, animated, AJAXy, and other obtrusive and annoying ads that get on my nerves (and one of many reasons I no longer use my Y! mail) The google email ads are tolerable – I just ignore them (or laugh at some of the funny hits I get). It’s the floating, animated, AJAXy, and other obtrusive and annoying ads that get on my nerves (and one of many reasons I no longer use my Y! mail)

]]> By: Ambiguity http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556881 Ambiguity Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556881 Maybe I'm just stating the obvious, but I've been using gmail for a few years, and I've never seen ad ad. And this doesn't come from trying to subvert the system at all. I download my email via POP. It is as simple as that. There are no ads. Maybe I’m just stating the obvious, but I’ve been using gmail for a few years, and I’ve never seen ad ad. And this doesn’t come from trying to subvert the system at all.

I download my email via POP. It is as simple as that. There are no ads.

]]> By: Johnny Cat http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556628 Johnny Cat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556628 It's problematic enough that the exact words, "Hey Dude" are a sign of the dark matter assaulting our advertising sensibilities, but having to avoid these blipverts by subversively disguising our intended messages is even more frightening. Oh, and after that trauma, the mysterious phone calls at 2:00am. It’s problematic enough that the exact words, “Hey Dude” are a sign of the dark matter assaulting our advertising sensibilities, but having to avoid these blipverts by subversively disguising our intended messages is even more frightening. Oh, and after that trauma, the mysterious phone calls at 2:00am.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-559959 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-559959 It works great, if you don't mind being contacted by The Samaritans every five minutes... It works great, if you don’t mind being contacted by The Samaritans every five minutes…

]]> By: Alan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556641 Alan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556641 I barely even notice 'em. I can't see it'd be the effort to try and block them. I barely even notice ‘em. I can’t see it’d be the effort to try and block them.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-560226 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-560226 Between work and home I've usually had several e-mail addesses - too many to check at all the sites throughout each day, several times. For me, an e-mail client that downloads them all to my computer, provides me with one spot to read them (ad-free) and respond quickly with one set of tools, has been the only way to go for over a decade. My current favorite is Windows Mail. Between work and home I’ve usually had several e-mail addesses – too many to check at all the sites throughout each day, several times. For me, an e-mail client that downloads them all to my computer, provides me with one spot to read them (ad-free) and respond quickly with one set of tools, has been the only way to go for over a decade. My current favorite is Windows Mail.

]]> By: Piers W http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-563043 Piers W Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-563043 #55 Anonymous I'm often wrong, and more often wrong on the internets than anywhere else. My point was that I'm not ethically or in any other way obliged to facilitate somebody's website's revenue model. I need a reason, good will for example, to bother. #55 Anonymous

I’m often wrong, and more often wrong on the internets than anywhere else.

My point was that I’m not ethically or in any other way obliged to facilitate somebody’s website’s revenue model. I need a reason, good will for example, to bother.

]]> By: matuszek http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556900 matuszek Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556900 #18, I have to say I think it's definitely more about Google trying to be sensitive than it is about advertisers not wanting their ads to be associated with anything negative. I'm quite certain that some advertisers are buying keywords for serious and disturbing topics. See, my son was born without a left hand. I recently had a long conversation about it over Gmail, and was delivered these delightful ads: <b>Finger Wound, Amputation?</b> ACell MatriStem Powder for Healing Wounds, As seen on, CBS, Fox www.acell.com <b>"Fetal Baby Dopplers" $69</b> (F-D-A Approved) Free Shipping Hear HeartBeat Early as 7 Weeks! www.insidethewomb.net <b>Table Saw Accident?</b> Have you been hurt in a table saw accident? We can help. www.tablesawattorney.com <b>Have Chronic Pain?</b> It may be Fibromyalgia or CFS. Get our newsletter. Call us for free. www.FibroAndFatigue.com As a friend of mine said about Table Saw Attorney, "Do you suppose that's what he dreamed of doing when he grew up?" #18, I have to say I think it’s definitely more about Google trying to be sensitive than it is about advertisers not wanting their ads to be associated with anything negative. I’m quite certain that some advertisers are buying keywords for serious and disturbing topics.

See, my son was born without a left hand. I recently had a long conversation about it over Gmail, and was delivered these delightful ads:

Finger Wound, Amputation?
ACell MatriStem Powder for Healing
Wounds, As seen on, CBS, Fox
http://www.acell.com

“Fetal Baby Dopplers” $69
(F-D-A Approved) Free Shipping
Hear HeartBeat Early as 7 Weeks!
http://www.insidethewomb.net

Table Saw Accident?
Have you been hurt in a table saw
accident? We can help.
http://www.tablesawattorney.com

Have Chronic Pain?
It may be Fibromyalgia or CFS. Get
our newsletter. Call us for free.
http://www.FibroAndFatigue.com

As a friend of mine said about Table Saw Attorney, “Do you suppose that’s what he dreamed of doing when he grew up?”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556669 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556669 Oddly, "Google" is one of the secret words. Oddly, “Google” is one of the secret words.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-559999 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-559999 You could also use the "Offline Gmail" app. It is completely ad-free. That's what I use! You could also use the “Offline Gmail” app. It is completely ad-free. That’s what I use!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556936 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556936 If Adblock Plus is not enough, get "Element Hiding helper": https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4364 IT lets you select precise HTML elements which you want to hide (for example those containing textual ads) and is good not only for google but also other sites. I got it in order to block Facebook ads because they were all in Norwegian. They should change their GeoIP provider or update the lists. If Adblock Plus is not enough, get “Element Hiding helper”: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4364
IT lets you select precise HTML elements which you want to hide (for example those containing textual ads) and is good not only for google but also other sites.

I got it in order to block Facebook ads because they were all in Norwegian. They should change their GeoIP provider or update the lists.

]]> By: Matthew Walton http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556942 Matthew Walton Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556942 An astonishing amount of effort for something that gets you... what? I don't even <em>see</em> the adverts. Like many web users, I've trained myself to avoid looking at them, and done it virtually unconsciously. Makes me wonder what's going to happen to the ad-supported online world we're used to these days. Does mean a problem though - sometimes I can't find my way around websites which put their navigation in structures which look a lot like adverts. An astonishing amount of effort for something that gets you… what? I don’t even see the adverts. Like many web users, I’ve trained myself to avoid looking at them, and done it virtually unconsciously. Makes me wonder what’s going to happen to the ad-supported online world we’re used to these days.

Does mean a problem though – sometimes I can’t find my way around websites which put their navigation in structures which look a lot like adverts.

]]> By: CocoBeane http://boingboing.net/2009/07/31/how-to-avoid-ads-in.html#comment-556694 CocoBeane Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-556694 I'm amused that most of the ads in that first screenshot are concerning nickelodeon shows. Hidden Temple (Legends of the...), Hey Dude, Spongebob, even the ad at the top is for GUTS. It makes me wonder what you write about in your emails that triggers these sorts of ads! I’m amused that most of the ads in that first screenshot are concerning nickelodeon shows. Hidden Temple (Legends of the…), Hey Dude, Spongebob, even the ad at the top is for GUTS. It makes me wonder what you write about in your emails that triggers these sorts of ads!

]]>