Pop up killers

[Sara]

I went to Google today and came up with TONS of links for pop-up window killers.

I am currently using Pop-Up Stopper, but it doesn't work all that well.

So, do you use something? Tell me!

[pete3005]

Do you know how POP-UP killers work? They disable the javascript events on the body tag. That means some of the sites you visit won't function properly. Editors like DW and FP put javascript events on the body tag. People *should* move them to a js include file but many non JS people dont, and these silly window killers disable their sites.

I know that Zone Alarm adds some javascript to every page through your browser, Zone Alarm are already re-working their methods to stop POPUPs as legal action has been mentioned, no software should edit any web page. That was the reason why Bill Gates dumped his 'smart tag' system.

Personally I don't use these Window killers, and usually I don't often encounter POP UP windows, if I do I just close them :)

Pete

[Chris]

Some popup killers block Java Scipt like you said, others block specific URLs to the popups themselves.

I believe this (http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10119360.html?tag=lst-0-4) is one that I had running on another computer. I didn't use the "other computer", but the user of it said that it stopped most, if not all, popups from occuring. You have to update the file that houses the URLs which it blocks every once and a while.

Like I said, I'm pretty sure that's the right one.

[Aaron]

I can recommend AdSubtract without reservation. It not only kills popups but it kills ads, background music, background images, cookies, animations, referrers, javascript, java applets and refreshers. You can pick and choose which "features" you want blocked and you can do it on a per site basis. It's a miracle piece of software - I've been using it for years and have never had a problem with it. There used to be a free version but I just looked at their website and I don't see that it's there anymore. The pro version is $30 and worth every penny. Oh yeah, it will also empty your temporary internet files for both IE and NS, selectively delete cookies, and keeps stats of everything it blocks. It notifies you when updates are available. You can add custom ad tokens. It works with NS, IE, Opea, AOL.

http://www.adsubtract.com

[pete3005]

One nightmare I find is people with cookies disabled by such crap software you are promoting.

Most shopping carts rely on cookies, even ones which use sessions. On a shared server enviroment you can't not use cookies as session hijacking is easy.

Anyone promoting the blocking of cookies and javascript should be shot at the very least. If you dont want cookies, javascript, flash or anything else then dont surf the web!

Pete

[Chris]

More like, "Anyone who doesn't use cookies and javascript and then wonders why something is working right should be shot". If you disable them and KNOW that some things will not work, you can just as easily re-enable them.

[CrimsonScythe]

I use the Opera web browser, which has a pop-up killer built in ;)

-- Thomas

[pete3005]

The problem is that many users have this software and don't realise what is turned on or turned off, not to mention the fact that they don't know how to go back in and reset stuff.

One example is my brother who has always had a 'theme' set on his PC, this theme set the default background colour of emails and webpages to gray. So for 3 years he thought everyone sends emails with a dark gray background, and all web pages that fail to specify a background colour defaulted to gray.

Do you know how damn awful gray backgrounds on emails look!!!

Pete :rolleyes:

[Aaron]

Pete-

I'm not going to get into a flame war with you because just by the language in your post I can tell you're really not worth the time.

But, to set the record straight, Ad Subtract doesn't block shopping cart cookies. I have never once not been able to shop online. The program also has an "all sites" setting where you can disable any kind of blocking for all sites and new sites filtered start out with the "all sites" options.

So, please, in the future, at least have a clue what you're talking about before you go shooting off your mouth.

Also, in this day and age, saying anyone "should be shot" for any reason, in any forum, is not the wisest choice of words. The only explanation I can come up with is that you're a juvenile who just hasn't learned any better yet. So I forgive you. But I do sincerely hope you will grow up soon so we can have an enlightened adult conversation.

(turns out it was worth the time after all.)

[pete3005]

Aaron,

I don't understand the need to insult me just because I didn't agree with your point of view. I don't think responding to your inept behaviour will be of any use so I will leave it here.

Pete

[Aaron]

You insulted me first, my friend.

One nightmare I find is people with cookies disabled by such crap software you are promoting.
Anyone promoting the blocking of cookies and javascript should be shot at the very least. If you dont want cookies, javascript, flash or anything else then dont surf the web!

[Steven]

Thank you both for your input on this topic. Let me close this thread as we do not tolerate any flaming in any way. I am of the opinion that while Aaron has a point about popups and how they are somewhat annoying. But Pete also has some very valid points as well. I agree with Pete in that when you design a site, ecommerce application, it is very difficult from the onset. Now when a user has every feature like cookies, javascript, etc.. it is even harder on the designer to track visitors, track referrals, etc...

Topic Closed, once again thanks for you viewpoints.

-Steven