Sneaky Tactics: Making Adverts Look Like the Browser Part 2

In 2008 I blogged about a site displaying adverts disguised as browser-style yellow bars and the risks associated with this shady tactic (especially if something a little more sinister than an advert were linked!)

Clearly nothing has changed in the past 2 years, because it’s still happening.

I clicked through to an article in The Independent whilst using Google Chrome and saw:

independent.png

Note the almost convincing Chrome-alike yellow notice bar across the top? It beggars belief that a respectable UK newspaper would use this sort of sneakery to push their new browser extension, especially as they’ve hijacked the Chrome icons to make it all the more convincing.

When did it become OK to prey on the ignorance of users?

Posted on: May 28, 2010 · Category: Geek, Interwebs, WTF

No, I don’t want your shitty add-ons

What the hell is it with software companies thinking it’s OK to bombard you with additional junk packaged up with their programs already?

I finally got ’round to buying Windows 7 for my laptop (after finding it plain awesome on my AA1) so did the whole back-up files, etc and reinstall malarkey yesterday afternoon. This meant that I had to re-download Firefox, Thunderbird, etc. Nearly every piece of software I’ve wanted to install has tried to give me extra crap on top.

Downloaded Foxit and it tries to install a browser toolbar, do something with the Ask search engine, and spam me with bloody eBay shortcuts on my desktop (even after I’ve told it I don’t want them, it asks again!) Avast anti-virus now comes with Google Chrome (which I was planning on installing anyway, but that’s not the point) and then Adobe installs a Firefox plugin, download manager extension and tried to get me to add some McAfee shit on the download web page too.

I always customise every step of the installation process with EVERY application I install, so no fear of ending up with unnecessary bulk, but your average user isn’t going to bother with that. It’s no wonder people complain about their Windows boxes getting bogged down with bloat.

DO NOT WANT!

Posted on: May 16, 2010 · Category: Geek, WTF

You’re Fucking Kidding Me?

I was going through my stats earlier (as I do, several times a day, hah) when I came across Legion Training and Education Consultancy. No, I’m not planning on joining a foreign legion… the site is using tutorialtastic‘s layout and code — direct-linked files and all — as the base for their layout. Still, I’ve known about this site for a while but can’t be arsed to do anything about it because it’s not a ‘threat’ to my site(s).

With that said, almost nothing pisses me off more than someone making money off MY hard work. So, when I see someone advertising their “effective, stylish and affordable website design” using one of my old designs…

old1.net

…you can bet I’m not going to sit by and let some punk jack me off. So, Mr Daniel Alexandre, do you steal designs for your clients too, or just for your own sites?

Posted on: May 12, 2010 · Category: WTF

These are the parents of the next generation

I am seriously without words at the moment at the way some people choose to parent. I thought forcing early weaning was bad enough, but then I found this thread…

I wont let her grnadparent put pillows behind her when she is sat on the floor saying “the more she falls the sooner she’ll learn” I am the meanest mummy. lef ther on the sofa with a toy the other day as i was stay on the floor and she face planted the floor.

I laughed at her when she was crying and it made her cry even more which made me laugh harder. they are just so pathetic sometime you have to laugh.

opened the cupboard door on to her head, she wasnt bothered.

ignored amelie coughing when she was poorley only to go up 5 minutes later (on the demand of my OH) and find her asleep in a pool of her own sick. she was more annoyed at being woken up and dunked in the bath.

And…

Sometimes when Rhys crys i just laugh so much, i cant help it, its his pouty bottom lip! My mum always says im being cruel and blah blah blah but its funny.

Plus…

I also laughed at him when he got his head stuck in the tv unit, and he once fell backwards off my bed while I was sat doing my makeup!!

Forced feeding…

Jenni, Iv been a bit impatient and tried to give him some food on a spoon and hes refused it, so iv been a bit more forceful and then realised i hadnt checked the temperature and it was really hot! Oooops!

Anything to cheer her up…

Gave him a massive spoonful of Ice cream, so i could see him get Brain Freeze Embarassed

I was feeling so down,lol!!

Sick, sick bitches. I wish that BC didn’t have an “anti-personal attack rule” because I’d let them in on a few home truths.

Posted on: April 29, 2010 · Category: Interwebs, Parenting, WTF

Your Stupidity Knows No Bounds

So, clearly being one of these crazy rambling mummy types now it’s only logical that I browse a few of those crazy rambling mummy type forums. The first baby-oriented site I joined was babycentre. It’s shite; loaded down with adverts and full of total muppets who shouldn’t be allowed to breed. However, that aside, there are also some very funny and very intelligent mums on there who entertain me regularly.

Now, out of boredom while feeding Izz I decided to browse a few of the groups I wouldn’t normally look at. My “birth club” for starters, which I abandoned shortly after the boobmonster was born because I got sick to death of reading about babies being force-fed hungry baby formula to sleep through, and tales of babies being left to cry. From there, I ended up in the “Early Weaning” board. Bearing in mind that the recommendation is to delay the introduction of solid foods until 6 months (26 weeks), because prior to that food can leak from the digestive system as it’s not properly matured, imagine my horror to find:

my daughter is 11 weeks on monday but is acting like she wants more then just milk. [..] i have baby rice and rusks in

and…

my lil boy is 9 weeks been feeding for 2 wks x

and…

my boy was 9lb 7 oz when born is now 10 weeks and 14lb on hungry baby milk. [..] Want to give him some baby rice now before bed so he will sleep.

I just… wow. Words cannot describe how stupid and selfish you have to be to force a child to consume more than they’re physically ready for. I’m well aware that they used to suggest weaning at 4 months, but I’m pretty sure the Department of Health didn’t increase this just for shits and giggles.

Of course, you mustn’t disagree with these women because mums know best!

Posted on: April 6, 2010 · Category: Parenting, WTF