# Intrusive Ads **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 11, 2016, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406 "2016-12-11T01:23:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/61 "2016-12-15T04:21:39Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > I think it wasn’t so much the semi-famous as it was “works in a profession rife with actual lawyers”. That doesn’t follow. The first person I know of who was banned under the “Mention Lawsuit-Be insta-banned” rule was Melin, who I think claimed to a lawyer herself. (maybe). The guy for whom the “quote boxes are sacred” rule was created did claim he was a lawyer who got insta-banned for threatening to sue. So it’s not “working in a profession rife with actual lawyers”. Maybe it’s “being/having a competent lawyer”? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/62 "2016-12-15T04:27:25Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > Isn’t dougie a paralegal who works with lawyers? Paralegal? I don’t need a paralegal. One of them’s enough. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/63 "2016-12-15T05:53:43Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > Isn’t dougie a paralegal who works with lawyers? Singular number. **A** lawyer. But I know the big law library in downtown Los Angeles well. I can, and do, research things there, on other subjects not assigned me by the lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/64 "2016-12-15T06:20:16Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > This has but this is one of my biggest pet peeves, which I have slowly and patiently ground out of my kids… > > Complainant: “I have a problem!” > > Respondent: “Here is a solution, guaranteed to work.” > > Complainant: “Your solution is NOT WHAT I WANT! I don’t care that it works, it wasn’t the thing I was looking for! Now I have major issues with your proposed solution, and I will complain about it bitterly! Whinge, whinge, whinge!” But which person are you, because [we have both kinds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ObWnwOy0oyU/hqdefault.jpg) here. IOW is it your pet peeve when someone offers you up a solution that you don’t like or is it your pet peeve when people ask for help then knock down all solutions, often with out any consideration, sometimes like they’re waiting for someone to say mention a certain one. > [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Singular number. **A** lawyer. > But I know the big law library in downtown Los Angeles well. I can, and do, research things there, on other subjects not assigned me by the lawyer. Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand there’s a lot of lawyers, so many so, that it seems like you can ask one lawyer a question and not only can they not answer you, it’s like they don’t even know what you’re talking about (arrested? is that even a word? I’m sorry, son, I mostly just practice bird law, I can’t help you out). I don’t have any idea what kind of lawyer you work for, but do you really not understand how you could file a lawsuit against anyone involved in this in such a way that it wouldn’t involve this message board (or it’s owners) in some way? Do you not understand that it would cost them money? That they might want to shut you out for legal reasons? Again, without knowing what your type of law your employer practices, hasn’t there ever been a time when, after talking to someone they’ve clammed up and requested that all future communications be put in writing and/or be sent through their lawyer? Maybe so they don’t incriminate themselves anymore, maybe because they’ve done nothing wrong and if they stop talking there’s nothing (worthwhile) you can do? This seems about the same. If you threaten the board with legal action, they have no reason to keep you around. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/65 "2016-12-15T06:29:45Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > But which person are you, because [we have both kinds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ObWnwOy0oyU/hqdefault.jpg) here. > > IOW is it your pet peeve when someone offers you up a solution that you don’t like or is it your pet peeve when people ask for help then knock down all solutions, often with out any consideration, sometimes like they’re waiting for someone to say mention a certain one. > > Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand there’s a lot of lawyers, so many so, that it seems like you can ask one lawyer a question and not only can they not answer you, it’s like they don’t even know what you’re talking about (arrested? is that even a word? I’m sorry, son, I mostly just practice bird law, I can’t help you out). I don’t have any idea what kind of lawyer you work for, but do you really not understand how you could file a lawsuit against anyone involved in this in such a way that it wouldn’t involve this message board (or it’s owners) in some way? Do you not understand that it would cost them money? That they might want to shut you out for legal reasons? Again, without knowing what your type of law your employer practices, hasn’t there ever been a time when, after talking to someone they’ve clammed up and requested that all future communications be put in writing and/or be sent through their lawyer? Maybe so they don’t incriminate themselves anymore, maybe because they’ve done nothing wrong and if they stop talking there’s nothing (worthwhile) you can do? > > This seems about the same. If you threaten the board with legal action, they have no reason to keep you around. Actually I didn’t go that far with Zale’s. I sent them an e-mail last night noting that the ads for their product–and ads for other products as well–were intruding on space of other subject matter. I phrased it in such a way that suggested that the intrusiveness could be harmful to their image–that the ad agency was giving Zale’s an image they could ill afford. (In the 60s a woman, whose daughter I went to school with \*(not \* a girl I have hitherto mentioned anywhere on the SDMB), said, on the letters page of a local magazine, that she noted the obnoxious ads on TV and specifically omitted those products from her own shopping.) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/66 "2016-12-15T13:58:18Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Singular number. **A** lawyer. > But I know the big law library in downtown Los Angeles well. I can, and do, research things there, on other subjects not assigned me by the lawyer. Dude, just shut it already! You’re so close to the line that you have chalk _under_ your toes…& you’re leaning forward. Better yet, walk to that library as it’ll take longer. I’m ready to pick up the ‘clue-by-4’ & Whap TPTB with it to (hopefully) make them understand that any short-term gain they get by these @#%& ads will not be sustained as noobies don’t join & existing people, including me, say, “Sayanora”. _IF_ they realize the error of their ways, I’ll be able to come back, you won’t be if your banned. Two other thoughts: Not only has a certain company stuck in your mind, you’ve mentioned their name to us in a few posts. You’re only reinforcing what advertising is supposed to do & given them _more_ name recognition. Maybe I shouldn’t ask this, & more importantly, maybe you shouldn’t answer this. What are you thinking about suing for? What are your damages? Ads are intrusive & want you to remember the company advertising? They’re _supposed_ to do that. You can just go to any of the other internet sites or read, exercise, watch TV, build models, knit or any other activity/hobby with the free time you’re not on this board viewing this intrusive rubbish. P.S. I’m not junior-modding you, I’m not yelling at you, I’m trying to keep at 10,000+ count poster around here; you’re the type of poster that we want here. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/67 "2016-12-15T14:29:10Z")
The way I see it, the Powers that Be here have decided that they want to serve up ads to their users. OK, fine, that’s a reasonable decision for a website. But they’ve gotten to the point that they aren’t actually doing that. The ads are getting so intrusive that the overlap between “people to whom ads are served up” and “users” is dwindling to zero. The only people who are sticking around are either the subscribers, or the people who have adblockers installed. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/68 "2016-12-15T15:53:02Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > But which person are you, because [we have both kinds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ObWnwOy0oyU/hqdefault.jpg) here. > > IOW is it your pet peeve when someone offers you up a solution that you don’t like or is it your pet peeve when people ask for help then knock down all solutions, often with out any consideration, sometimes like they’re waiting for someone to say mention a certain one. My pet peeve is grousing about a proposed, workable solution. If you don’t want to implement the solution, fine, but don’t whine at the person who really was just attempting to help with your problem. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/69 "2016-12-15T16:09:31Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The way I see it, the Powers that Be here have decided that they want to serve up ads to their users. OK, fine, that’s a reasonable decision for a website. But they’ve gotten to the point that they aren’t actually doing that. The ads are getting so intrusive that the overlap between “people to whom ads are served up” and “users” is dwindling to zero. The only people who are sticking around are either the subscribers, or the people who hatve adblockers installed. Good point. ---
**Author:** ![Corner\_Case](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corner_case/32/234_2.png) [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/70 "2016-12-15T18:13:10Z")
> [@ThisSpaceForRent](#): > > For FUCK sake… > > I am now getting side bar AND bottom of the page ads at the same time, WTF!!! > > i cannot even read a post until i change screen zoom and disable side ad… > > Knock it the fuck off…seriously1 The pop ups on the bottom are not enough??? Seriously good User/Post combo ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/71 "2016-12-15T22:20:36Z")
We’re aware that the ads have gotten more intrusive of late. I’ve asked our digital ad guy to investigate what’s going on. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/72 "2016-12-15T22:48:22Z")
I do minimal ad blocking. Some in my hosts file and some via the blocking feature of my browser. No Adblock-Plus or such. I visit a couple dozen sites on a regular basis. The Dope is the _only_ one where I’ve gotten aggressive on blocking things. I created a user-side script to “take care of things with vigor.” Even most of the sites I rarely visit aren’t as bad as here. No, not all ad services are like this. Not in the least. TPTB have gotten in with some of the worst ones. Just allowing Vigilink alone indicates how poorly they are choosing. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/73 "2016-12-16T19:48:06Z")
> [@ThisSpaceForRent](#): > > FI am now getting side bar AND bottom of the page ads at the same time, WTF!!! > > i cannot even read a post until i change screen zoom and disable side ad… > > Knock it the fuck off…seriously1 The pop ups on the bottom are not enough??? This. There are some pages which are now loading three separate “floating” ads (bottom, side, and bottom right corner). And, sometimes, after clicking the “x” to close an ad, a new ad generates in that same location a few moments later. Plus, “x to close” box on the ones on the right is often nearly invisible. (In the time it’s taken me to write this message, _five_ different ads have spawned on the right side of the screen!) One floating ad at the bottom of each page was mildly annoying. This has gotten **extremely** annoying. I love this board, and have a great deal of respect for its management and staff; however, the degradation of the site experience from this latest round of advertising programs does start to (intentionally or not)convey a message of “subscribe, or we’ll make using our site miserable for you.” ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/74 "2016-12-17T19:28:07Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Paralegal? I don’t need a paralegal. One of them’s enough. > > 🆒 > [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Singular number. **A** lawyer. Whoosh! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/75 "2016-12-17T23:07:33Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Hmmm… I sign in once, then never have to do so again… until I either delete my entire browsing history or reinstall my browser. What browser are you using? I’m using Chrome. It doesn’t seem to matter whether I’m using incognito or regular mode. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406/76 "2016-12-19T12:43:06Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > We’re aware that the ads have gotten more intrusive of late. I’ve asked our digital ad guy to investigate what’s going on. Any chance you’d turn them off until you figure it out? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intrusive-ads/774406.md?page=3)