
Press Blackout on Yahoo Ad-forcing?
#1
Posted 29 June 2004 - 03:58 PM
I have been having problems with Yahoo email ever since it increased the mailbox sizes. I have ad blocking software and a modified hosts file (supertrick), but whenever an ad is blocked, I can't use important buttons on Yahoo mail (delete, reply, etc.).
I suspect something in Yahoo's code is making use of Yahoo email contingent on Yahoo's ability to guarantee to advertisers that the ads will be served/viewed. The problem with this is it is a form of pressuring people to drop computer defenses in exchange for maintaining their long-held Yahoo identity. Will Yahoo pay if a person drops their ad-blocking, and then they get hijacked by a dialer and stuck with a super-sized phone bill?
I understand the business logic here, but I'm disturbed by the way the situation has been kept quiet. Yahoo hasn't said a thing about all the people who have reported that their email doesn't work, and Yahoo cerainly hasn't made any announcements about linking use of Yahoo mail to viewing ads or dropping ad-blockers.
Even more disturbing is the total press black out. Tech reviewers swarm all over lesser issues. I have reported this situation directly to various media outlets, but no one has replied to me. I search for news stories every couple of days with Google, Altavista, and AlltheWeb: not a journalist in the world is reporting this. Yet the problem is mentioned on forums. I don't understand why the story is being suppressed.
Meanwhile, an unknown quantity of people are trying to figure out what to do about their email: should they drop their ad-blockers and leave themselves vulnerable to spyware for the sake of being able to reply to their email? The longer the (apparent) press blackout goes on, the more likely it is that people will make uninformed decisions out of desperation.
I hope this is the right forum to report this in. Feel free to move the post if it's not. Also, anyone feel free to cut and paste and send this is issue to any reporter who may be willing to look into this and help.
#2
Posted 29 June 2004 - 06:12 PM

I too, had the same problem upon receiving the "improved" Yahoo E-mail. I went so far as to report the issue to Yahoo 5 TIMES!...each reply taking me on a circular path to...nowhere.
I picked up a clue as to the ad/functionality problem during a desperate Google search. I then began tracking the ads that appear at the top of the page (mainly Doubleclick variations), and removed them from my HOSTS file. Problem solved! I still can run the Google pop-up blocker, as well as the rest of the MVPS HOST file.
Never did Yahoo support tell me about the ad/functionality stunt they pulled on millions of Yahoo E-mail users. For shame!
The Hedgie
#3
Posted 29 June 2004 - 06:17 PM
But still the thing that is bothering me the most is the apparent press blackout. I understand Yahoo trying to hide the issue, but why are journalists looking the other way?
#4
Guest_Guest_hedgevine_*
Posted 30 June 2004 - 07:34 AM
I hope this is not a temporary fluke.
Hedgie
#5
Guest_Guest_*
Posted 30 June 2004 - 03:58 PM
However, a couple days later, the problem recurred. Right now my Yahoo mail is working, but I don't know how long that will last. Once again, all ads are getting through, too.
#6
Posted 30 June 2004 - 05:43 PM
Only works with Firefox/Firebird/Mozilla, though.
#7
Guest_Guest_*
Posted 30 June 2004 - 06:10 PM
But it bothers me a lot that Yahoo has *made* me take this action: made me consider changing my hosts file, made me change my browser (which may entail a lot of work in customizing). Why should I be making all these changes to accomodate Yahoo? Technology is supposed to save work/time, not make more work and use up more time.
And there still isn't one public word out there on what Yahoo did. No one is pointing out that Yahoo linked email functionality to ad serving. Yahoo has yet to acknowledge that this has been a problem for a lot of people. The longer this goes on, the longer it looks like a cover up to me.
#8
Guest_Guest_*
Posted 30 June 2004 - 06:29 PM
I just tried Adblocker. Now my Yahoo reply, delete, etc. buttons don't work in Firefox.
I double-checked the Adblocker list to make sure I had just blocked the gifs and not any .js or libs. Just gifs on the list.
More evidence that Yahoo has linked use of email to viewing ads.
#9
Posted 30 June 2004 - 06:51 PM
#10
Posted 01 July 2004 - 01:09 PM
I'm using Firefox and thought I would try the mozzilla email
Thunderbird and it works fine for me.
It also autmatically notifies you if it thinks any mail you get is Spam
#11
Posted 01 July 2004 - 05:41 PM
#12
Posted 16 July 2004 - 06:19 PM
http://sf.gds.tuwien...y/ya/yahoopops/
So after a quick setup and config, I'm now in the process of downloading all my mail off the yahoo server; received mail, sent mail, the lot. When I'm finished, I'll keep the yahoo acct open just long enough to catch any stragglers who don't know my new free email acct. (Fastmail.fm), then yahoo can kiss my ass. It's history!
nosmoking
#13
Posted 17 July 2004 - 07:10 AM
The most frustrating part of this is that I use my yahoo account for job searching and after having the account for five years, I have yet to receive any spam.
Yahoo, if you are reading this, keep it up, I have no problem turning to one of your competitors for my email service.
ASAP Member since 2006
"Knowledge does not equal wisdom"
Guide to posting HijackThis logs to this forum
#14
Posted 17 July 2004 - 08:04 PM
The problem with the email buttons was rampant and widespread, yet not a peep in the press, not even specialist Internet press. I don't understand the motive for the hush up.
#15
Posted 21 July 2004 - 09:50 AM
Big Corporations and Money, Lotsa MoneyThe problem with the email buttons was rampant and widespread, yet not a peep in the press, not even specialist Internet press. I don't understand the motive for the hush up.