Security threats Toolkit

Story: Stamping out spam

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Let me first say I am not an employee of ZDNet but I do get tired of the harping of the whole anti-ad brigade who are so incredibly naive in their understanding of how the web economy works and the difference between website ads and proper spam.

Firstly, the difference between ads in web pages and spam is spam is forced upon the user who has no choice but to download it if he wants to keep using his email address.

Secondly, further to the last point, the email address belongs to the user of the address; the user has has the right to control how the email address is used. The ZDNet website belongs to *ZDNET*, therefore it is their right to decide what goes on the site. If someone doesn't like what is on the site they shouldn't visit it ZDNet even has a proper attitude and respect towards their users by not using pop-ups, fly-ins and irrelevant flashing various get-rich, win the lottery type ads that drive so many of us mad.( Kudos to them for that!).

Tthirdly, nobody forces anyone to visit this page people do so out of their own free volition. In fact, by visiting this page every user *has* actually "requested" every item on the page including the ads (find out exactly how a browser works if you want to appreciate the irony of this). I am tickled by the notion that the last poster accuses ZDNet of wasting his time when it was he who chose to visit the site when perhaps he could (should, if at work?) be doing something else.

Fourthly, the only reason why so many users are able to view such quality content online for free is precisely because of the ads.

Gosh it's awful I know, but I actually *like* the ads! They are not too obtrusive to my ability to read the content; they are relevant and inform me of products i might actually buy and benefit from as an computer enthusiast / professional.

So don't knock the ads, learn to love them for what they are, look at them, admire them as the only things keeping this great and informative site free and great for all of us. (One of them might actually provide you with a bargain one of these days of you keep your eyes open!)

Perhaps the only feasible alternative is for ZDNet to offer a parallel subscription service which allows the ads to be removed for readers who really don't like them?

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