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Welcome to Techsurvivors => Tech => Topic started by: kimmer on July 29, 2014, 08:13:34 PM

Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: kimmer on July 29, 2014, 08:13:34 PM
Here's the site: http://www.newslincolncounty.com/

My two main browsers:
Chrome 36.0.1985.125
Adblock Plus enabled
“Allow all sites to run JavaScript (recommended)” is enabled

Firefox 31.0
Java applet disabled
Adblock Plus enabled

I don’t mind if the ads are static, but the constant blinking and changing drives me crackers. The ads change too often to select and block each element in Adblock Plus. To the best of my knowledge, both browsers are up to date, and Adblock Plus is also up to date. Is there any way to stop the annoying changing ads on this site?
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: Xairbusdriver on July 29, 2014, 11:43:58 PM
Not at my Mac right now...

I'm thinking AdBlock allows you to block specific domains. You can look at the html or maybe hover over the ad and see what the domain is. You should be able to add that to blocked domains. I suspect they are coming from the same 'ad supplier' and the domain could be constant; block able.

I'd also install Ghostery, it will show you what 'services' are supplying things. You can then block individual 'services' and reload the page to see if that helps. I usually only allow Google Analytics and a couple others and block everything else unless I discover things not working correctly on the page. Most of this extensions actions are for tracking/analytics but those things can also send ads.

You might try blocking all third-party cookies, if the browser allows that.
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: kimmer on July 29, 2014, 11:59:55 PM
Oh good grief. They are all gifs and are hosted on his site!  wallbash.gif

Is it possible to shut down all the gifs?
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: Xairbusdriver on July 30, 2014, 08:40:58 AM
I think you could do that with CSS. Write your own Style Sheet and have all img tags with ".gif" set to display:none. Most browsers allow a User Style Sheet, but that would need some coding to allow them in other sites... Why not just avoid the site? dntknw.gif K.I.S.S.

"I know hitting my head with this hammer hurts, but it feels so good when I stop!" flail.gif
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: kimmer on July 30, 2014, 01:00:49 PM
Writing a style sheet is worth a try.

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Jul 30 2014, 06:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Why not just avoid the site? dntknw.gif K.I.S.S.

It's the main source for local news, and so a bit hard to avoid if I want to keep up to date. We have a useless print paper that has a web site, but the cost is $$$. There is also another e-site, but not as thorough as the flashing one. I'd write the owner, but I know the response I'd get. wink.gif
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: Xairbusdriver on July 30, 2014, 02:21:35 PM
If the gigs are on one side or another you might try making your browser windo narrower. I hardly ever use anything 'full-screen' but if you like that a smaller window might be frustrating.

If all else fails, try small pieces of duct tape. Get the camouflage design, that way you won't be able to see it... laughhard.gif
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: kimmer on July 30, 2014, 02:28:32 PM
I just spent a good 20 minutes on the site, and using ABP's "Block Element", I started blocking all the blinking gifs. LOL! They showed up on the other side of the page, or farther down. They all kept reappearing. Apparently he's wise to folks and he's got these ads set up under dozens of names so that you can't stop them. I know he'll blast me, but I'm gonna drop him an email.
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: Xairbusdriver on July 30, 2014, 03:38:02 PM
Suggest he do some research on how people tend to avoid annoying sites. doh.gif sure, he got your eyeballs once but he's could be missing a lot more repeat visits. Try to make him think you won't be back because of these annoying methods. Just be glad he hasn't discovered blinking text!!!!

Just visited your link! What a whinner!!! There are lots of interesting and informative notifications for all kinds needed, valuable services! On my iPhone, only ~10% of them are 'animated'. I just two-finger expand the display and move all the ads off either side. Wahah! No more "distractive" images!

Oh yeah, when you talk to him, tell him thanks for the so professional site! Ask him if his Jr. Hi. Developers are looking for more business!!! laughhard.gif
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: Paddy on July 30, 2014, 08:57:37 PM
The reason AdBlock isn't working is that it blocks THIRD-PARTY ads - those hosted on sites other than the site you're visiting. When the site you're visiting actually hosts the image/blinking *&^%$ GIF, then there isn't really a lot you can do about it with a plug-in. However, you CAN block the animation in both Chrome and Firefox - here's how:

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Animated-Images-in-a-Browser

Safari, unfortunately for those of us who use it a lot, doesn't have this ability at the moment.

Wait, wait - stop the presses, there is an add-on that stops the pesky animation of those GIFs. It's 3 years old, but it STILL WORKS! I just installed it and voila - no more blinking annoyances on the Lincoln County news site! biggrin.gif

https://github.com/matsadler/deanimator

However, that said, I think you should still contact the owner of the website and tell him that the blinking GIFs are really turning you off, are very distracting and that they're considered very, very poor web design (besides being so 1990s...). People with seizure disorders can actually have problems with them.
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: kimmer on July 31, 2014, 02:08:17 PM
QUOTE(Paddy @ Jul 30 2014, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
However, that said, I think you should still contact the owner of the website and tell him that the blinking GIFs are really turning you off, are very distracting and that they're considered very, very poor web design (besides being so 1990s...). People with seizure disorders can actually have problems with them.

Thanks, Paddy. Stopped them in FF, still investigating add ons for Chrome; but I can read his site in FF without making my eyes hurt. I've already written to him, but will use the seizure disorder info in the second salvo.

Also, I'm working on a nice, short note to send to the advertisers who have the gifs. Maybe they'll change their ads.
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: Xairbusdriver on July 31, 2014, 03:02:12 PM
Some people would rather annoy an ad viewer than change. At least they know you're seeing their name. In a place the size of "Greater" Waldport, you'll just end up being 'that grouchy lady'! laughhard.gif Sometimes, it's best to not know what people say about us... whistling.gif

I think it's so nice of the site "designer" to place those stupid ads more than once on the page. Helps make sure I see all of them... rolleyes.gif wallbash.gif
Title: Stopping annoying ads that change
Post by: sandyman on August 01, 2014, 06:16:54 AM
Another workaround would be to install the Evernote Clearly extension for both Firefox and Chrome. It works a bit like Reader in Safari

Sandy