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

[Carrie Bartkowiak <ravencarrie@xxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, 11 Aug 2001 20:22:39 -0400, Steve Werby mumbled something 
like:
>>Though I'd rather contextual-based
>>advertising didn't exist, I do think it's a slick idea 

It is a slick idea and quite honestly, it wouldn't piss me off nearly 
so much if it didn't alter the appearance and usability of my site 
itself. If the program created a frame over/under/on the side that 
showed a list of related topics - say, move the highlighted links 
over to that area - that wouldn't be as bad. But still, the ads shown 
would be dependent on my copywritten work - and to this day, neither 
of these companies has asked my permission to use my copywritten work 
in order to profit from it. Quite a few other people and sites have 
asked, and I've given permission every time. All they have to do is 
ask; which alerts me to what they're doing.

>>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. 

Exactly, which the not the case in any of those situations.

>> Ultimately, this may be an issue for the
>>courts to
>>decide.

I am fully prepared to take it that far. I'm preparing for that, with 
captured screenshots of my site using both programs - including how 
the program blocked/altered the usability of my site by covering up 
one of my links. I highly suggest the rest of you even slightly 
concerned about this do the same thing. 
Also, I'd suggest visiting the links that pop up, and making a note 
of the site they go to and all contact information for that company.

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

I agree with what "Say No To TV" is saying, and I agree with their 
lawyer. I do think that Third Voice had a fantastic idea - they just 
went about it in the wrong way.
An alternative way would have been to alter the browser so that there 
was a large space on the right side of the screen - independent of 
the site and not covering up the site - where the post-its could be 
displayed. Or even a threaded-style message board there in that 
space. As long as it was independent of the site and did not alter 
its appearance to any other user whatsoever.

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

Do you have the actual webpage that this pic is embedded in? 
FortuneCity doesn't allow anyone to link directly to a pic.

I do agree that this is not Cobalt-related but I am thankful that it 
came up; because it has turned out to be something very important to 
me - the hijacking of my work. Still, I'll be moving this to the 
webhostingtalk forums after I get some stuff together and re-write 
the post for it a bit so it's not so filled with anger. I'm planning 
on starting something akin to a petition and a button/banner campaign 
to bring this to people's attention.
I'll post the URL here when it gets posted over there on 
webhostingtalk.

--
CarrieB
"Microsoft is not the answer, Microsoft is the question. NO is the 
answer." --Unknown