Re: ADMINISTRATIVE: Yahoo Groups privacy issue

On Wed, Dec 31, 2008 at 9:29 PM, Steve Kunkel <[email protected]> wrote:
> Creepy...  Thanks for the heads-up on that. I expect you still get bombarded
> with advertisements though, you're just opting out of the spying part....

No more than you would be otherwise.  The "spying part" is attempting
to discern your habits and interests to show you *relevant* ads you
are more likely to click through.

Ads are a non-issue here.  I run Firefox 3.0.5.  Firefox permits the
installation of Extensions that can customize the way the browser
works.  Two that are part of my standard config are NoScript and
Stylish.

NoScript is what the name implies: it blocks all scripting activity on
web sites unless you add the site to a whitelist.  It defaults to
blocking JavaScript, but can also block Java, Flash, and Silverlight
(Microsoft's new competitor to Flash.).  Things like pop-up ads are
produced through JavaScript, and Firefox blocks popups by disabling by
default the ability to open an unrequested window in JavaScript.

Stylish is an extension that allows you to run arbitrary CSS (called
"userstyles") on specified web pages.  I use a userstyle called Ad
Blocking Filterset P.  Filterset P is a component of the AdBlock Plus
extension for Firefox.  It's a lengthy set of CSS rules that define
sites that are sources of advertising.  Content pulled from those
sites in pages you view is presumed to be advertising, and the browser
simply doesn't render it.

The AdBlock Plus extension is more elaborate, and actively scans pages
looking for stuff you might want blocked.  I don't bother.  I don't
mind some ads, especially if relevant to my interests.  I just don't
want them obtrusive enough to interfere with reading the content of
the site.  Filterset P does a good job of cleaning things up.

> -sk
______
Dennis

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