So then they may be using some weird javascript to force open new windows anyways, despite the system in place to try and prevent that. I guess that’s a difference, but it only makes them behave more in the way that got popunders a bad rap.
Also, many (and likely most) people use their browsers maximized. That’s why there was such a push to minimize the UI and give more space to the page itself. So their browser window is already as far left as it will go. New tabs are actually easier to close.
And, let’s not forget, only OS X has the close button on the left.
=====
I’ve checked the Alexa stats on the Straight Dope and the messageboard. While there is a decline (one that is constant on nearly all message boards–though without the huge bump that topped out in September), there are plenty of less popular sites that do not use these tactics.
On chrome, on a Windows box, signed in, i had a new tab open. It’s name started with “ad”. I clicked to close it without ever seeing what was on it. Annoying and ineffective, but not hugely intrusive on that platform.
Nothing in Tapatalk. Nothing on my Mac, where i run chrome with an ad blocker.
I sympathize with the ad-assaulted folks. Personally, I’m currently using IE 11 without any anti-popup or ad protector (outside IE’s usual one) and haven’t seen any ads whatsoever. Take note, all you Chrome and Firefox evangelists!
(I actually use FF too. I just go back and forth because I like different things about each browser.)
Chrome with Ghosrty blocks everything too, and it gives you a list of everything it blocks on each page. Or, with Ghostry you can choose to allow this and that then and again.
I’m having a similar problem with a Android Nexus 7 tablet and Chrome. If I try to tap and open a thread, I find that it actually opens a thread several threads ahead. It’s like I tap on my screen at one place, but a thread a few rows up is what actually opens. It may take several seconds (7 to10 perhaps) after loading a forum page before it acts correctly.
I’ve seen threads here where adblock users were treated as if stealing food from an orphanage. It’s clear that some kind of defense against malware is needed to view this site safely. No way am I trying it on my phone.
Haven’t seen any ads so far (always logged in, use Firefox with Adblock Plus) but the most interesting thing I’ve discovered from this thread is how people navigate to the boards. Long ago I turned off email notifications, and now my “home” bookmark for opening the boards is:
I’ve been getting popovers with MSIE 11 on two different computers, so we’re going to stop serving to that browser. I objected to the creative on one ad so I requested a stop for that also. I don’t get much of anything on Chrome or Firefox, although I did get the BeenVerified ad at one point. From what I could see it was behaving properly.
But you said in the OP these ads won’t take us off site. Both times I got “Beenverified” it hijacked the page and took me off the site to their page and I was logged in. In the OP you emphasized that if we were logged in we wouldn’t see these ads.
And Beenverified just popped again. At least this time it popped in a new tab instead of hijacking the current one. I thought these were supposed to be just once a day. I was still logged in. So that’s two ads in 15 minutes.
I’m also using Adblocker Plus so somehow it got past that.
Jut got another ad in a new tab. Fourth time today. As usual I was logged in. Still using Windows 10 and Chrome and Adblock Plus.
In the 9+ years I’ve been here I’ve never seen this type of stuff until this week. I was going from the main forums page to Cafe Society when the ad popped up.
I only do so, so that the PTB can see I’m not just being a dickhead and making stuff up to make their jobs harder or to criticize them. That it is actually happening to me.
I do love this place and the posters. I’ve been posting here for 9+ years. If I’m going to be getting four or more pop-unders, tab hi-jacks, or ads in new tabs a day then soon I will will leave and they will lose revenue. Sure it’s only pennies from me. But if it keeps continuing they will continue to lose other long term posters and new posters as well.
It is in their best interest to do: 1. what will make them money. 2. keep existing posters and attract new ones to keep making money.
