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Firefox Facts

Anti-Firefox Loons Go Off Deep End

Posted: August 21, 2007 | Filed Under News

Why is Firefox Blocked?

Now there is no secret that thee are a number of folks out there that don’t like Firefox. Many of them say it is because the browser has a very dedicated fan base. These guy though (at whyfirefoxisblocked.com) prove they must swim on the shallow end of the intellectual pool.

The Mozilla Foundation and its Commercial arm, the Mozilla Corporation, has allowed and endorsed Ad Block Plus, a plug-in that blocks advertisement on web sites and also prevents site owners from blocking people using it. Software that blocks all advertisement is an infringement of the rights of web site owners and developers.

That last line is what gets to me. I have been back on forth on this issue a few times, but for the most part I have to side with the users. I don’t mind some ads (I think most AdSense ads are fine and actually helpful) – but other do deserve to be blocked. It isn’t the user’s fault the links are not getting clicked for those ads – it is the ads fault for not giving the consumer what they want.

Tech Blorge also has an interesting article written up about it that tells more of the story. So what do you think about the anti-Firefox crowd?

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  • There's no copyright violation, and this is pretty similar to walking into the kitchen to get a snack when the commercials come on TV. I appreciate that some people look to income from web advertisements, but I think it's a stretch to call this "stealing."
  • Xeon
    I have only used Firefox for a little over one year but I comparison to IE it is far superior technology. The Ad blocker is just an added bonus to the already wonderful technology built into the program which is an Upgrade and Upgrade or Add-On is the key word here, as you stated the Anti-Ad program is nothing more than a selective part and not all users use it, there for it is selective. There are some sites that remove ads for selected users log in, one in particular that I use being RuneScape the MMORPG. But even being a member if I try to go to a non member part of the site I have to view these horrid ads, or rather had to until I discovered the Ad Blocker program. As Tyler mentioned it allows you to pick the sites that have blocked Ads and which do not so in my own opinion the companies can complain as much as they like but the really will never have a strong case against you.

    ~Xeon
    (Gamer, Musician, Firefox User)
  • Ido Perelmutter
    Hey take a look at this contra:
    http://whyisfirefoxblocked.com/
  • TimmyBravo
    User Agent Switcher FTW!
  • Like me Tyler? :)
  • Tyler
    ok, that is just plain stupid. I use Adblockplus, I admit, BUT, if I find a site that deserves to have ads up, I will allow adblock plus to not block ads on that site.
    For example, if I am on a commercial site where ads are stuffed everywhere, yet the site is owned by a multi-media giant, which can probably pay for the site without ads, I WILL block ads on that site.
    But lets say I find a personal site, with a few ads just to keep it up, or there are some ads on a open source organization site, which are primarily adsense ads, I will keep ads unblocked on that site.
    It all depends on the situation.
  • True Greg, didn't ever like that one either. I think folks should pick the one they want to use - and web sites should do their best to make everybody happy.

    ..but that shows you there are extremes on both sides.
  • gfox
    And wasn't there something similar for website owners detecting IE users and suggesting they upgrade to Firefox?

    http://explorerdestroyer.com/

    The reasons were different.

    greg (FF user since early 1.X versions)
  • Ido Perelmutter
    This is stupid. First of all, it's an extension, not a built-in feature, and there are plugins exactly like this for Internet Explorer. Second of all, while the website owner has the right to incorporate advertisements in their website, the visitor has the right not to look at them. When I watch a movie on TV and switch the channel during the commercials, am I breaking the law?
  • They have a point about the religion thing though.... Firefox is about as close as it gets...

    Also, type about:mozilla into your address bar and see what happens.
  • Yeah, the Web is going to evolve if these guys like it or not. Personally I just want a better ad system come up that would be more welcomed by both sides. Also - it's not like every single Firefox user is blocking ads. Many wouldn't know what the extension was even about.

    So really, these guys are doing more advertising than hurting the orange and blue browser. :)
  • I think those guys should just be ignored. All they want is attention. Talking about them is giving them too much importance.

    @András: well said! ;)
  • Switchable
    Wonder if they are going after NoScript next, cause it blocks the "blocking" PHP/JavaScript they made.

    Anyhow, I usually only block Ads on sites that are overrun by them, or sites that have those annoying Flash bits that covers 40% the screen for 3sec before they fold down looking all innocent.

    And yes, I'm running FlashBlock.
  • Why Samsung is Blocked

    Dear TV watching family. You see this message, because the TV programme you were trying to watch now blocks your Samsung TV.

    Samsung and its electronics team has allowed and endorsed setting up a remote control with a mute and programme plus/minus buttons, those are able to mute and to block any advertisement in TV and also prevents the channel owners from blocking people using it. A remote control that can block all advertisement is an infringement of the rights of channel owners.
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