this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2023
1244 points (99.2% liked)

[Outdated, please look at pinned post] Casual Conversation

253 readers
1 users here now

Share a story, ask a question, or start a conversation about (almost) anything you desire. Maybe you'll make some friends in the process.


RULES

Related discussion-focused communities

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

I use ad blockers and open source privacy focused software whenever I can but occasionally I have to use computers that don't belong to me or an older phone where my usual applications aren't installed and seeing all the advertisements just feels dirty and dystopian.

I think the worst ads are the text to speech ones that say "Download this app today". The unblinking energenic people saying you can make a living at home are probably a close second.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 38 points 11 months ago (3 children)

but occasionally I have to use computers that don't belong to me

Do them a favor and install an adblocker.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 11 months ago (2 children)

If i had a dollar for everytime I've done this and been asked why I "downloaded a virus" because Google Chrome has a little red icon in the corner and now things don't "feel right", I'd have like 7 bucks

[–] [email protected] 13 points 11 months ago

I mean, don't do it against their will. At least put some effort into selling the idea of an internet without ads to them first. Then explain that Google and other companies are going to try to manipulate them into thinking that not viewing ads is a bad thing with false warnings and scare tactics like those. That it's fine, and if they read carefully the warning it doesn't say anything bad is actually happening.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

I had a family member visiting that left early because their “games didn’t work right”

(Network blocking)

[–] [email protected] 11 points 11 months ago

Sounds like you blocked a different kind of annoyance.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

If they left for that reason, they weren't visiting you, they were visiting your internet connection. :-(

[–] [email protected] 27 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Most people don’t appreciate it when you install software on their personal devices without their permission.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

Boy would this be the quickest way to make sure I never allow you to touch my electronics again.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

without their permission.

Nobody said that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Fine. I don't appreciate it when assholes inflict ads on me, so we'd be even!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 11 months ago

I will occasionally suggest it if I am doing any kind of tech support but I don't push it. Occasionally it can cause issues with webpages and if they aren't savvy enough to have an ad blocker already I don't know if they would have the knowledge of when to toggle it on and off.