Google search in your site asp script

Annoying pop-up ads begin to draw the ire of consumer users

Q: I used to be with Earthlink, which I liked a lot. A while back I bought a TV with a special offer at Best Buy. By subscribing to MSN, I received $200 off my TV. So I figured why not? But since subscribing to MSN I have not been satisfied at all. My system is slower than before and I get pop-ups all the time, which makes my computer work harder than before. It also takes forever to get rid of these pop-ups. Meanwhile, I'm frozen out of the work that I want to accomplish. Is there any way that I can get rid of these pop-ups? I have a Gateway 95/98 system. Thank you M.P. Kraft

A: Yes. I agree those pop-up ads are very annoying. You are stating an opinion that many of us share. Even though pop-up ads only comprise about 3 percent of all advertising on the Internet, they are by far the most annoying. Also, the advertising companies and Internet service providers (ISP's) are listening to the wave of criticism and have recently begun to remove pop-up ads. First iVillage eliminated pop-up ads, then Ask Jeeves, America Online and _ you'll be happy to know now _ MSN has joined in the campaign. Pop-up ads are little scripting programs that run on your computer within your browser, whether it's Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

You can modify your browser characteristics to eliminate the ability to run Java Script or VB Script programs but that may eliminate functionality on other programs or remove some functions on existing web sites. Therefore, I don't recommend that you change your browser characteristics.

If you don't want to wait for the industry to eliminate pop-up ads, then I'd recommend that you install software to block such ads. There are several programs to choose from: free downloads, shareware programs (pay if you like them) and OTS (off the shelf) programs that can cost up to $39.95.

I conducted my research on Yahoo! and Google by typing "popup ads" in the search field. Several software products are listed for purchase or download. Here are some of the products and articles that were listed:

[] Pop-Up Stopper v2.9, Free Download, at www.pcworld.com/ downloads/file_description/0,fid,8060,00.asp.

[] AnalogX Pow v1.58, Free Download, at www.pcworld.com/ downloads/file_description/0,fid,15203,00.asp

[] Webwasher for Macintosh, $29.00, at www.webwasher.com/en/ products/wwash/download_mac.htm.

[] Internet Sweeper v2.0, Shareware - $40, at www.pcworld.com/ downloads/file_description/0,fid,22471,00.asp.

[] PopUp Begone v2.0, $39.95 google special $19.95, at www.popupbegone.com/google/index.html.

[] Ads Gone, $19.95, Web site: www.adsgone.com/ default.asp?ref=600.

Here is a link to one of the articles I researched while answering your question: www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/ 0,10738,2805058,00.html.

Sid Kato, founder and president of Array Systems Inc. of Torrance, has more than 20 years of computer experience. His column runs each Thursday. Send you questions to SidKato@arraysystems.com; fax to 310- 944-5906; or mail to Sid Kato, Computerwise columnist, Daily Breeze, 5215 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503-4077