Re: [cobalt-users] OT: Stop eZula from stealing bandwidth

["Steve Werby" <steve-lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Scott F" <scott_falco@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Solution: We can all do what EZula did - make our web
> pages and all text, NOTHING but graphics.. hehehe... I
> think that's funny, they actually setup their site
> with all graphics to avoid having their own content
> highlighted.. hahaha

If you made it past the main page you'd have noticed that nearly all of the
text on their site is text, not images.  I'm sure you know search engines
can't index text found in an image so that isn't feasible for those that
want traffic from search engines.  Though I'd rather contextual-based
advertising didn't exist, I do think it's a slick idea given how ineffective
some other forms of online advertisement have become.  Unfortunately it does
nothing for the content providers who need to generate revenue or die.  The
main problems I have with it is that apparently the software is being
installed without prominent, clear notice to the user, removing it is
difficult for the less technical and it's so new that I suspect a large
percentage of users have no idea they're running the software and/or the
highlighted links are not generated by the visited site and a site's links
can point to a competitor.  Ironically, something similar caused an uproar
over 2 years ago.  A company called Third Voice came up with a browser
plugin that essentially allowed users to create post-it notes on web pages
which were visible to other Third Voice users.  Incidentally Third Voice
shuttered operations earlier this year.  I see many parallels between that
software and the contextual-based advertising software that's been
discussed.  Though I don't like it, I really don't have a problem with it as
long as users know they're installing it, know exactly what they're
installing, know that the websites don't create those links, have a button
to toggle between the pure site and the altered version and can easily
uninstall the software.  Ultimately, this may be an issue for the courts to
decide.

I know that many of you feel that since this is a topic of probable interest
to many on this list that this is the right place to discuss it.  If we use
that logic it's not much of a stretch to say that it's appropriate to
consistently discuss topics many of us have a professional interest in such
as sql syntax, professional liability insurance, marketing strategies, php
debugging, pricing and tax laws or topics that affect nearly all of us like
pollution, genocide, cancer and prison overcrowding.  I'm a firm believer
that one should use the right tools for the job and that in the case of
mailing lists, usenet and web forums if the tools are abused they become
less effective for everyone.  Incidentally, for all the topics I mentioned
there are more appropriate dedicated mailing lists and forums. I agree with
Dan K. that webhostingtalk.com may be a better forum for this topic.
Perhaps it's hypocritical of me to continue this thread and get on a soapbox
and say that it's probably not the right place for it, but if you want to
flame me please know that I'm aware of that and flaming on-list won't serve
any positive purpose.  <grin>

Wired article:
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,20101,00.html

Screen shot of a Third Voice view of whitehouse.gov:
http://www.fortunecity.com/westwood/alaia/354/sample.jpg

--
Steve Werby
President, Befriend Internet Services LLC
http://www.befriend.com/