Interesting comments. Like in so many other instances where an article criticises, explicitly or implicitly, the way some nerds make money, the reaction is to

Interesting comments. Like in so many other instances where an article criticises, explicitly or implicitly, the way some nerds make money, the reaction is to downplay it. There's nothing really shocking here. As Cringley pointed out in an earlier blog post, it's common for publishers to overcharge for advertising. This was true long before the web existed. But the thing that's different is nerds have the power to change the way things are done. Everyone knows how annoying (and generally ineffective) ads are. The question is, are you going to make the situation better, or worse? Steve Jobs actually sought and was granted a patent on "serving ads upon booting". No internet required. Sad, really.