When a Popup Becomes a Virus

[dcortez]

I have no doubt that raising this issue will invite a broader range of 'comments' than intended, but I think it's timely and worthwhile to discuss.

Lately, there has been a lot of chat regarding circumventing SP2's mechanisms for blocking 'popups' et al. And, there is a diversity of opinion when it comes to popups, exit traffic, consoles, etc.

I would like to see a balanced discussion about:

"Using popups on a system that the user has clearly set up or indicated that they do not want popups (visa vi popup blocker)."

When popup blockers came out, I believe, in many ways this was a good thing because the user now has a choice.

I used to stay clear of presenting my web visitors with any unexpected consoles/popups.

But with popup blockers being available (and without cost), linking to sponsors with a 'reasonable' (land mine #1) number of popups was less of an issue since visitors could choose whether they wanted them or not.

HOWEVER, if a visitor uses tools or an operating system in a way which indicates they do NOT want popups, can't popups which circumvent these intentions be considered 'viruses'? What makes them different from SPAM or other software which takes over your system in a way you do not want it to?

I believe popups on a system which is configured with the intention of preventing popups (technically successful or not) are viruses by definition.

What do you think?

-Dino

[reynold]

pop up blockers are really cool if you're annoyed with all the pop ups you're getting.

[TheLegacy]

I know many swear by pop ups and say that money is made.. but when certain companies go to far that they have 8 or more cycles of pop ups before anything can be done.. thats sick.

its like a mormon shoving their fucking foot in your front door when you've already said, " leave me alone "

[dcortez]

...but when certain companies go to far that they have 8 or more cycles of pop ups before anything can be done.. thats sick.

But why does NO not *mean* NO (or NONE) when a user chooses so.

The "don't go TOO far" argument which is often used to defend 'some' popups makes sense (to me) when one is unsure of what their visitor prefers.

But, when you know the visitor does not want ANY popups (I'm sure they could code a popup counter feature in blockers to allow a couple through if the user wanted it) then the issue is:

Are you respecting your visitors' expressed wishes or not?

And if you are not, then what makes your popup different from a virus?

-Dino

[4Pics]

A few popups are fine, its when they go overboard that there is a problem.