Don't derail to recommend me a different browser October 17, 2002 1:15 PM Subscribe
AnnoyanceFilter! [Much more inside...]
Well done, Danelope. Take a fifty out of petty cash and buy a nice hat.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:21 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:21 PM on October 17, 2002
Holy shit, Danelope! What a great resource. Thank you.
posted by timeistight at 1:22 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by timeistight at 1:22 PM on October 17, 2002
Thanks for pointing out Adshield, Dan! This is going to be a revolution in porn surfing for me!
posted by Samsonov14 at 1:22 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by Samsonov14 at 1:22 PM on October 17, 2002
Thanks Danelope. Just what I needed.
Or perhaps just the last link?
posted by ginz at 1:28 PM on October 17, 2002
Or perhaps just the last link?
posted by ginz at 1:28 PM on October 17, 2002
Sweet, Dan. Thanks for being so proactive. Pop-Up Stopper does have a free version here, which I use, and am about 85% pleased with.
posted by Ufez Jones at 1:31 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by Ufez Jones at 1:31 PM on October 17, 2002
well done, Danelope! this should be in the guidelines.
posted by modge at 1:36 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by modge at 1:36 PM on October 17, 2002
Webwasher is free and good too, but hasn't been updated in a while.
posted by waxpancake at 1:38 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by waxpancake at 1:38 PM on October 17, 2002
Though tragically Windows-only, The Proxomitron is the best ad-filtering proxy I've ever used. If you're good with regular expressions, it's even extensible. Rather than just blocking some servers, it rewrites incoming html to remove ads and other annoyances altogether. This is something I haven't seen done well elsewhere.
Also, it wants you to listen to Shonen Knife.
posted by moss at 1:47 PM on October 17, 2002
Also, it wants you to listen to Shonen Knife.
posted by moss at 1:47 PM on October 17, 2002
Disabling pop-unders etc also disables legitimate website features.
This is a great resource you've put together, but I need to whine anyway. I don't like the idea that we are being dissuaded from bashing posts that will generate a pop-up frenzy or crash a normally configured browser. The main motivation for sites like this is to get linked by sites like Metafilter. I suggest a boycott rather than a workaround.
posted by y6y6y6 at 1:54 PM on October 17, 2002
This is a great resource you've put together, but I need to whine anyway. I don't like the idea that we are being dissuaded from bashing posts that will generate a pop-up frenzy or crash a normally configured browser. The main motivation for sites like this is to get linked by sites like Metafilter. I suggest a boycott rather than a workaround.
posted by y6y6y6 at 1:54 PM on October 17, 2002
Mozilla doesn't seem to let you distinguish between voluntary popups (example, a dialog box where the main window does not change, which is rarely an ad) and involuntary popups (windows that launch upon opening of another window, usually ads.)
Do any of the above take care of this?
(thanks danelope)
posted by PrinceValium at 2:04 PM on October 17, 2002
Do any of the above take care of this?
(thanks danelope)
posted by PrinceValium at 2:04 PM on October 17, 2002
Not to derail the lovefest, but some of us visit MetaFilter at work, where we have no control over browsers etc. and thus cannot implement these wonderful fixes. (And spare me the lectures about how if I'm goofing off at work I deserve what I get.) So I (and I suspect others) would still appreciate, at the very least, a warning. Also, what y6y6y6 said.
posted by languagehat at 2:06 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by languagehat at 2:06 PM on October 17, 2002
Great list of resources, thanks much.
One other thing that may be of help is is making a conscious effort to link to the 'print' version of a site. Many, if not most, mainstream news sources offer this option.
This is something I try to do on my weblog and though it may take an extra minute or two, I see little reason to subject my readers (all three of them) to yet another round of ads.
posted by cedar at 2:07 PM on October 17, 2002
One other thing that may be of help is is making a conscious effort to link to the 'print' version of a site. Many, if not most, mainstream news sources offer this option.
This is something I try to do on my weblog and though it may take an extra minute or two, I see little reason to subject my readers (all three of them) to yet another round of ads.
posted by cedar at 2:07 PM on October 17, 2002
Is there an app for Mozilla that does the same thing as Andre Torrez's Nutshell? I use that app all the time.
posted by starvingartist at 2:09 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by starvingartist at 2:09 PM on October 17, 2002
One other thing that may be of help is is making a conscious effort to link to the 'print' version of a site.
The print version often lacks photos, graphics and other non-text content. The NYTimes is affected by this, so I'm told.
posted by PrinceValium at 2:14 PM on October 17, 2002
The print version often lacks photos, graphics and other non-text content. The NYTimes is affected by this, so I'm told.
posted by PrinceValium at 2:14 PM on October 17, 2002
Mozilla doesn't seem to let you distinguish between voluntary popups (example, a dialog box where the main window does not change, which is rarely an ad) and involuntary popups (windows that launch upon opening of another window, usually ads.)
Sure it does.
It's in the preferences and is the difference between 'unrequested windows' and utilitarian windows. For example, a pop-under would be an *un*requested window while clicking on an image opening in a larger window would be a requested one.
posted by cedar at 2:14 PM on October 17, 2002
Sure it does.
It's in the preferences and is the difference between 'unrequested windows' and utilitarian windows. For example, a pop-under would be an *un*requested window while clicking on an image opening in a larger window would be a requested one.
posted by cedar at 2:14 PM on October 17, 2002
Here is a webpage that has link to various companies opt-out cookie pages.
posted by internal at 2:19 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by internal at 2:19 PM on October 17, 2002
Sure it does.
*opens mozilla, verifies, smacks own head, packs, moves to dumbville *
posted by PrinceValium at 2:42 PM on October 17, 2002
*opens mozilla, verifies, smacks own head, packs, moves to dumbville *
posted by PrinceValium at 2:42 PM on October 17, 2002
Ufez Jones: Pop-Up Stopper does have a free version here, which I use, and am about 85% pleased with.
Ahh, thanks for the correction. I only saw language dealing with time-limited trials, which was seemingly verified by a coworker who told me her copy had stopped working. (At which point I installed Mozilla on her machine, with the Mozilla IE Skin, and she couldn't be happier.)
y6y6y6: I don't like the idea that we are being dissuaded from bashing posts that will generate a pop-up frenzy or crash a normally configured browser.
languagehat: So I (and I suspect others) would still appreciate, at the very least, a warning. Also, what y6y6y6 said.
My point was not to excuse people from posting popup-heavy sites or to stop people from warning others about them. Many people, however, can and do take these sorts of measures to prevent annoyances, and simply never see the pop-ups before they post the link. Tearing someone a new asshole for a "feature" they never saw isn't any more appropriate than belittling users for not upgrading their browsers, is it?
posted by Danelope at 2:53 PM on October 17, 2002
Ahh, thanks for the correction. I only saw language dealing with time-limited trials, which was seemingly verified by a coworker who told me her copy had stopped working. (At which point I installed Mozilla on her machine, with the Mozilla IE Skin, and she couldn't be happier.)
y6y6y6: I don't like the idea that we are being dissuaded from bashing posts that will generate a pop-up frenzy or crash a normally configured browser.
languagehat: So I (and I suspect others) would still appreciate, at the very least, a warning. Also, what y6y6y6 said.
My point was not to excuse people from posting popup-heavy sites or to stop people from warning others about them. Many people, however, can and do take these sorts of measures to prevent annoyances, and simply never see the pop-ups before they post the link. Tearing someone a new asshole for a "feature" they never saw isn't any more appropriate than belittling users for not upgrading their browsers, is it?
posted by Danelope at 2:53 PM on October 17, 2002
starvingartist: Off the top of my head, I only know of Dave's Quick Search Taskbar. While not explicitly for Mozilla, it allows you to run multi-source searches directly from your Windows taskbar without first starting a browser. Requires an extra character here or there to use, however. I'll keep an eye out for Moz-specific tools.
posted by Danelope at 3:06 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by Danelope at 3:06 PM on October 17, 2002
Wow - who would have thought I would have to close so many pop-ups to download a pop-up blocking program? Advertisers getting in for their last chop, I suppose :-)
posted by dg at 3:50 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by dg at 3:50 PM on October 17, 2002
Even more freeware pop-up blockers can be downloaded here (FreeSurfer tends to pick up where adshield leaves off...they run great in combination)
Also, for those who don't want ANYTHING to do with banners and ads, try downloading a modified hosts file that redirects many ad companies to localhost :)
posted by samsara at 4:06 PM on October 17, 2002
Also, for those who don't want ANYTHING to do with banners and ads, try downloading a modified hosts file that redirects many ad companies to localhost :)
posted by samsara at 4:06 PM on October 17, 2002
For anyone who actually likes IE (myself included), try out Phoenix. Basically a really lightweight browser based on the Mozilla codebase. I tried Mozilla and to be honest was less than impressed. I downloaded version 0.3 of Phoenix and wow, nice and zippy, doesn't try to be my everything. Unlike Mozilla, it actually feels like it belongs on Windows. Also includes tabbed browsing, javascript pop-up blocking.
posted by patrickje at 4:17 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by patrickje at 4:17 PM on October 17, 2002
Please, can we have {{{ Danelope}}} to the front of the class.
I bestow to you the AnnoyanceFilter!-Overlord crown. Cool works on your part. (thomcat bows in your honor)
posted by thomcatspike at 4:24 PM on October 17, 2002
I bestow to you the AnnoyanceFilter!-Overlord crown. Cool works on your part. (thomcat bows in your honor)
posted by thomcatspike at 4:24 PM on October 17, 2002
I used PopUpCop for its free 30 day trial and really missed it after it expired, so paying US$20 was an easy decision. I like the flexibility. There are some sites, such as Television Without Pity, where I choose to let a million pop-ups bloom because I know they need the ad revenue. All other annoying ads are bocked.
posted by maudlin at 4:41 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by maudlin at 4:41 PM on October 17, 2002
Is there an app for Mozilla that does the same thing as Andre Torrez's Nutshell? I use that app all the time.
Keyword searches. The functionality is built right in to Mozilla's bookmarks, it just takes a bit of effort to set up. That Blogzilla links has a few examples but it's easy to adapt to your favorite sites (the frmget bookmarklet helps with sites that don't show search terms in URLs).
posted by hilker at 4:47 PM on October 17, 2002
Keyword searches. The functionality is built right in to Mozilla's bookmarks, it just takes a bit of effort to set up. That Blogzilla links has a few examples but it's easy to adapt to your favorite sites (the frmget bookmarklet helps with sites that don't show search terms in URLs).
posted by hilker at 4:47 PM on October 17, 2002
Crazy Browser, dammit! Kills popups, uses tabbed navigation, and uses the IE6 rendering engine, so I never have trouble viewing things.
posted by Yelling At Nothing at 5:33 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by Yelling At Nothing at 5:33 PM on October 17, 2002
I normally hate to jump on a bandwagon, but thanks, Danelope, for pointing me to omniweb, et al. Although I am a big OSX fan, I am too lazy to find a lot of OSX native apps on my own, so I appreciate the links above.
posted by TedW at 10:22 PM on October 17, 2002
posted by TedW at 10:22 PM on October 17, 2002
Thanks, Danelope. I use a hosts file from skallas as well, and that works great (pop ups still occur, but nothing is in them.)
posted by adampsyche at 4:45 AM on October 18, 2002
posted by adampsyche at 4:45 AM on October 18, 2002
Doh. I just saw that you posted some other hosts files. My bad. Well, consider this a testimonial. (read the whole damned thing before you comment next time, adam...)
posted by adampsyche at 4:46 AM on October 18, 2002
posted by adampsyche at 4:46 AM on October 18, 2002
Earthlink offers a pop-up blocker, but it is only in beta at the moment. You also need to be an ELN subscriber (I think) to download it. I have been using it for quite a while, but will be switching over to the generously provided host files.
Cool post Danelope!
posted by lampshade at 6:24 AM on October 18, 2002
Doh. I just saw that you posted some other hosts files. My bad.
Skallas' hosts file is always worth a re-post, IMO. It's pretty much my one-stop solution to ad-blocking ...
posted by walrus at 6:28 AM on October 18, 2002
Skallas' hosts file is always worth a re-post, IMO. It's pretty much my one-stop solution to ad-blocking ...
posted by walrus at 6:28 AM on October 18, 2002
Users of Mac IE who also hate pop-ups may be interested in this tip I posted to Usenet some time ago.
posted by kindall at 4:19 PM on October 18, 2002
posted by kindall at 4:19 PM on October 18, 2002
I use Privoxy (on Mac OS X, though it's available for Windows and most Unices as well), a filtering proxy server that blocks pop-ups, ads, webbugs and loads of other stuff. It allows (and needs) a fair amount of configuration to get working perfectly, great for a compulsive fiddler like me, but probably annoying to someone hoping for a more turnkey solution.
Another random tidbit: You can speed up web page load times in Mozilla by opening the preferences, going to HTTP Networking under the Advanced group, and checking the Enable Pipelining checkbox. They call it experimental, but it's supported by pretty much every modern web server, and, AFAIK, it doesn't cause any harm when confronted with non-supporting web servers.
posted by boaz at 3:19 PM on October 19, 2002
Another random tidbit: You can speed up web page load times in Mozilla by opening the preferences, going to HTTP Networking under the Advanced group, and checking the Enable Pipelining checkbox. They call it experimental, but it's supported by pretty much every modern web server, and, AFAIK, it doesn't cause any harm when confronted with non-supporting web servers.
posted by boaz at 3:19 PM on October 19, 2002
I use Popup Stopper and like it a lot...however, I have noticed that some Orbitz ads and a few others have not been stopped by Popup Stopper.
posted by SisterHavana at 6:48 PM on October 25, 2002
posted by SisterHavana at 6:48 PM on October 25, 2002
« Older Metafilter had some questions for me this month | FPP link-burdened to the point of undiscussability... Newer »
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
I've noticed a growing trend whereby those who warn of pop-up ads within a thread are frequently pointed to a better browser or browser add-on. This tends to derail or detract, so I figured I might do the community a service by providing a series of links to the more popular solutions in a central location.
Please note that I am not proposing the use of "AnnoyanceFilter!" as a thoughtless response to pop-up warnings. Rather, this thread is intended to educate, to show people that there exist options that can benefit them and their browsing experience. (Ideally, this link would be e-mailed to the user(s) in question. If nothing else, however, be polite about it.)
And if I've made any glaring omissions, feel free to contribute. That said...
Web Browsers with Annoyance-Prevention Technology
Mozilla (Windows/Mac/Linux, Freeware)
Along with the fast and standards-compliant Gecko engine, and powerful features like tabbed browsing, Mozilla also offers users the ability to disable a variety of annoying techniques like unrequested pop-ups, window moving/resizing/raising/lowering, and more.
Opera (Windows/Mac/Linux, Adware/$39)
Considered by many to be the alternative browser since the heyday of the Browser War, Opera natively supports disabling of pop-ups and other annoying features.
OmniWeb (Mac OS X, Freeware/$30)
Designed specifically for Mac OS X, OmniWeb natively supports pop-up disabling (though some Mac boards indicate it often blocks requested pop-ups as well.)
iCab (Mac, Shareware/$29)
iCab, while perpetually in a state of Preview Release, affords Mac users the ability to control nearly every aspect of their browser behavior, including annoyances.
Browser Add-ons, Proxies, and Filters
AdShield (Windows, Freeware)
Blocks banner ads and pop-up windows for Internet Explorer 5 or higher.
JunkBuster (Windows/Linux/fBSD, Freeware)
JunkBuster's Internet Proxy sits between you and your Internet connection to filter ads, unwanted cookies, and other garbage. Supports all browsers.
Preferences Toolbar (Windows/Linux, Freeware)
A handy utility for Mozilla, Preferences Toolbar is a customizable toolbar that allows you to set nearly every preference and behavior on the fly (including UserAgent string, to bypass stubborn sites with browser sniffers.)
Pop-Up Stopper (Windows, Shareware/$40)
Pop-Up Stopper runs in your Windows system tray and prevents pop-ups and pop-unders in Internet Explorer and Netscape 4.x or higher.
XenoBar (Windows, $15)
XenoBar is an integrated toolbar for Internet Explorer 5.5+ that provides you with basic pop-up window prevention, as well as status bar disabling and the ability to open all links in new windows.
System Hacks, Host Files, Miscellanea
MacOSXHints: How to prevent pop-ups in Chimera
TechSpot: How to secure Internet Explorer
hosts files act as a system-level barrier between your system and the Internet, effectively blocking access to a known set of ad-serving machines on the Internet. This technique can be very effective against banner ads, but doesn't prevent pop-up windows from spawning. Use a hosts file in conjunction with one of the above software solutions for comprehensive protection.
- KaZaA Lite's hosts file
- Gorilla Design Studio's hosts file
- How to Use The hosts File tutorial
Ad-Aware
If you do manage to accidentally (or intentionally) install adware, spyware, malware, etc., Ad-Aware will likely do a good job of removing it for you. This software is particularly useful for removing stubborn plagues like Gator from your system.
Barco 40 oz. Ball Peen Hammer
The ultimate in annoyance prevention, this heavy-duty product is guaranteed to protect your machine from pop-ups, banner ads, and more. Works with any operating system or browser, simple installation, and effective!
posted by Danelope at 1:17 PM on October 17, 2002 [2 favorites]