4 ms·

I agree with what you're saying, but you really don't have to "jump through hoops" to get ad-block software. It takes about 30 seconds to install an ad-blocking

I agree with what you're saying, but you really don't have to "jump through hoops" to get ad-block software. It takes about 30 seconds to install an ad-blocking extension. I think the better argument is that most people don't know/care for ad-blocking software. I think AdBlock and its alternatives are prevalent in the tech community, but we're just a small part of total users.

phillmv 14y ago
>It takes about 30 seconds to install an ad-blocking extension. I'd be willing wager that those 30 seconds of barrier would deter like 70-80% of the computer using population. Very few people as a whole know or are comfortable with browser extensions.
- hnriot 14y ago
  It must otherwise google wouldn't be the giant it is.
- seanp2k2 14y ago
  Is it wrong that I blame IE for a lot of this? I feel like IE was a major factor in ramming the "DON'T INSTALL TOOLBARS / ACTIVEX ADD-ONS NOT NO WAY NOT NO HOW" knowledge down consumers' throats (and that still remains good advice).
  - theorique 14y ago
    A lot of the early, nasty spyware / adware / crapware toolbars are to blame also. I recall Bonzi Buddy by name, but I know there were lots of others ... redirects for ecommerce affiliate fees and other obnoxious rent seeking.
- mst 14y ago
  If it was only a dollar or two per month and not a -complete- pain in the ass to sign up for, I'd probably pay anyway. I wonder if you could encourage the people who hate ads but would happily take a legitimate option by detecting ad blockers and instead of haranguing them for it, put up a polite advert for how to legitimise their ad free usage? (thinking in general, not just for twitter)
  - PebblesRox 14y ago
    That's a good idea. Just the other day I turned off Ad-Block on the Let's Play Archive (http://lparchive.org/Dwarf-Fortress-Boatmurdered/ http://lparchive.org/Dwarf-Fortress-Boatmurdered/) because they had a little banner message that asked me nicely if I would consider it.

phillmv 14y ago

>It takes about 30 seconds to install an ad-blocking extension. I'd be willing wager that those 30 seconds of barrier would deter like 70-80% of the computer using population. Very few people as a whole know or are comfortable with browser extensions.

hnriot 14y ago
It must otherwise google wouldn't be the giant it is.
seanp2k2 14y ago
Is it wrong that I blame IE for a lot of this? I feel like IE was a major factor in ramming the "DON'T INSTALL TOOLBARS / ACTIVEX ADD-ONS NOT NO WAY NOT NO HOW" knowledge down consumers' throats (and that still remains good advice).
- theorique 14y ago
  A lot of the early, nasty spyware / adware / crapware toolbars are to blame also. I recall Bonzi Buddy by name, but I know there were lots of others ... redirects for ecommerce affiliate fees and other obnoxious rent seeking.
mst 14y ago
If it was only a dollar or two per month and not a -complete- pain in the ass to sign up for, I'd probably pay anyway. I wonder if you could encourage the people who hate ads but would happily take a legitimate option by detecting ad blockers and instead of haranguing them for it, put up a polite advert for how to legitimise their ad free usage? (thinking in general, not just for twitter)
- PebblesRox 14y ago
  That's a good idea. Just the other day I turned off Ad-Block on the Let's Play Archive (http://lparchive.org/Dwarf-Fortress-Boatmurdered/ http://lparchive.org/Dwarf-Fortress-Boatmurdered/) because they had a little banner message that asked me nicely if I would consider it.