I'm probably in minority but...

Dang, I hadn't even noticed
any of the ads until reading
this post.

Probably continue to gloss
right over them in the future
too.

I guess I dive into the posts
too quick to see anything
else.

adios
Andy

[Ankesh]

Thanks Sandi.

Google doesn't always use your surfing history to show you ads. I don't know how their ad logarithm works - but I know for sure that they do take your surfing history into account to show some of the ads some of the time.

I mentioned that, because Dien said:

"Google's "contextual" advertising doesn't always get it "right"! "

And the visitors surfing history may be one of the reasons why we think Google doesn't always get it right.

It had nothing to do with your personal experience. And I never meant to imply that you visit websites related to guns and violence.

For the record: I do wish you wouldn't leave Sowpub just because of a few ads.

I didn't take it to imply anything of the sort from you, Ankesh. I was merely pointing out that the Google theory could be very wrong. Apparently, Dien and you agree with me somewhat.

No worry about me leaving Sowpub unless I give up on the internet (which I've considered from time to time). On days I feel like quitting, it's because I am faced again with the reality that the internet and I are a poor fit. I CAN do but most days it's a struggle to even bother starting. How's that for an approach-avoidance conflict?

Ah, well...we do what we can, as we can, I guess.

Sandi Bowman

Dien,

Thanks for wanting to please everyone.

Let me let you in on something...

Sshhh... listen. Are you listening. Just a tad closer. Right?

Ok... psst... you cannot please everyone.

Sandi doesn't like ads with guns on them or something. Why? Probably thinks they Kill or some such. Not that I've ever seen a firearm jump up off the ground by itself and go after someone, mind you. But who knows in the USA.

Here's what else kills people - or I should say, people perish as a result of... Cars. Yep. Better ban ads for those Killers.

And while you're at it... ban all religious ads of any persuasion. All political ads too. All ads for cleaning products as I find them offensive. All Biz Op ads need to go because some people find them tempting and go into debt to acquire them - debt they cannot really afford (you don't want to be a part of sending someone bankrupt do you?). Oh... better also ban all ads for any kinds of foods - people might get fat. Ban health item ads as well because they haven't been Approved by a bunch of normal everyday people sitting in an office cubical who call themselves the FDA.

Ban soft drink ads too. Everyone knows - without actually knowing of course - that Coke rots your gut. And the sugar is bad for teeth - and the Nutrasweet bad for everything else.

Ban all ads for computer stuff. Stop encouraging people to sit in front of the screen for long periods. They'll get thrombosis, don't you know.

Ban ads for Lego and other similar toys with small bits. Children could swallow them, or be poisoned by Chinese lead. OMG. For the children, Dien. For the children. Do it for them, pleeaaaase.

Of course, banning sex ads and Personals Ads goes without saying.

Shampoo ads. Tampon - ahem, feminine hygiene - ads have to go too. So do Condom ads. Even Brill cream ads. Remove them.

I don't use Brill cream. But that doesn't matter. I don't like it being advertised to me - not that is has, but just in case, fair enough?

Get rid of the Google ads too. One of them right now is for Chocolate Truffles - encouraging people to consume candy adds to the diabetes problem, right? Get rid of Google Ads ASAP!!!

Ban ads offering DHMO - dihydrogen monoxide. Don't you know how many people died from that each year? Why just last year 110 people died in New Zealand alone from DHMO ingestion. Even in New York under supervisions DHMO ingestion resulted in 159 deaths between 1987 and 2007. Besides baning ads offering DHMO, public warnings should be posted about this substance so people can avoid it at all costs.

Sarcasm off /

Ok first. DHMO is water. Ok. You know... dihydrogen = H2 and monoxied = O. H2O. So don't get all flustered about it.

The rest. Dien, you cannot please everyone And if you try you will turn yourself into a pretzel. The board will end up like that Xmas Show from Southpark - where they were all walking around the stage in random patterns while wearing unisex white jumpsuits - so as not to Offend anyone.

Sandi complains about everything it seems. If it's not an Internet Marketer, it's a product they recommended, or something they said in an email, or whatever. It must be a slow week for Sandi with internet marketing emails to complain about, so she complains about a banner ad you have.

Sheesh...

Michael Ross

BTW, just for your reading pleasure here's a bunch of links to guns and knives and stuff.... Enjoy

www.ruger-firearms.com
www.remington.com
www.smith-wesson.com
www.tikka.fi
www.browning.com
www.hideawayknife.com
www.emersonknives.com

www.kurtsaxon.com
www.garynorth.com
www.mises.org
www.lewrockwell.com

Michael, for your information it's been anything BUT a slow week. I've spent endless hours trying to get colossal snafus cleared up with a company I purchased a bed from. It took TEN different calls to even trace who had shipped the stupid thing! After it arrived, the shipper refused to complete the contracted services so I sent it back. Two weeks later it arrives again today...and with the wrong cover and other problems...not as advertised. That's just one for starters...In so many words, you're full of it.

As for the marketer, I tried EVERYTHING short of advertising the problem, to which I had to finally resort, to get them to stop harrassing me, filling up my mailbox so that my time-sensitive, needed, mail was delayed until it was too late (and cost me late fees). So, yes, I complained but only after MONTHS of efforts, and many long-distance calls to their offices and so on to get them to quit. I don't believe, given the circumstances, that I was unreasonable.

As for the gun thing...if you'd had a gun put to your head and was saved by the grace of God from certain death, you'd dislike them, too. I have fired guns, of necessity, years ago...I'm a crack shot, left or right handed. My husband used to particpate in (and win) many fast draw competitions. We gave up guns years ago in favor of other defenses, and have no regrets. Yes, I know full well what guns can do and I don't believe they are suitable for viewing during my breakfast, thank you. Thus the mild complaint.

Have no idea what emails and products you're referring to as I don't recall doing any complaining, in recent years, other than as shown above. People mix me up with other Sandi, Sandy, Sandra, Sondra etc Bowman's all the time so it doesn't surprise me that you probably got some of it mixed up, too. Do not confuse a statement of my views on a topic of discussion with complaining...they're not the same thing at all.

Don't pre-judge folks unless you KNOW ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, Michael. I'm a survivor, trust me on that, young man.

Sandi Bowman

Hi Sandi

I havent been here that long but I have to say so far, I really enjoy your posts. I hope you do not go away. I keep popping in eager to see if you or Ankesh have anything new to say.

Like I learned somewhere else when it comes to what others say, take whats usefull with you, leave the rest.

Brett

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by MichaelRoss

Ok... psst... you cannot please everyone.

Hi Michael,

It is true, you can't please everyone! But I'm generally happy to block non-relevant ads... (There may be an upper limit to how many I can block, so at some point I may have to become choosy if that's the case...)

Cheers,

Dien

Who Knew?

I tried to buy a turtle a few years back. You remember those palm size turtles that everyone had as a kid? They didn't do much. They didn't run or jump but they were great listeners. Well, they are illegal in the state of Colorado. Reason being that I might put one in my mouth and end up choking to death. What I could buy however, was a crocodile. Yes, a real live crocodile. You know the ones. They grow 5 to 6 feet in length and eat meat. Couldn't own a turtle but I could own a damn crocodile. LOL, makes you wonder.

Scott S.

if my neighbor had a crocodile, I could by an illegal turtle. and when the croc ate it ... no more crocodile!
there's a solution for every problem.
Robert J.