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By: Da Sissop
Date: 9/18/00 3:52:49 PM
# Replies: 11
...as well as the accompanying cookie-clutter and scary profiling...
http://www.21stcentury.net/~flan/hosts.html
Why didn't *I* think of that?
Response #1
By: Roxanne
Date: 9/18/00 9:44:10 PM
But what if you *like* the ads?
Is there something you can do to have more?
Response #2
By: Da Sissop
Date: 9/19/00 5:54:44 AM
Actually I suppose I *could* make up a batch of WebNuns banner ads, and an ASP script, and then you Windows folks could run Personal Web Server...
...so as you browse the web using the aforementioned modified "hosts" file, you'd see Nunnery ads in place of the originals.
Response #3
By: Da Sissop
Date: 9/19/00 3:03:47 PM
Interesting side note, this trick doesn't work *nearly* as well under NT 4.0... seems that when the ad server isn't found, Internet Explorer's error page pops up to the forefront and completely replaces the page you were trying to look at.
Just thought I'd share that.
Response #4
By: Homer The Brave
Date: 9/19/00 7:04:12 PM
<smug>
I just go to iCab's preference window and check the 'filter ad images' box, cuz I use a decent web browser.
</smug>
Response #5
By: Capt. Spastic
Date: 9/19/00 11:07:39 PM
What does the OS have to do with it?
It should read the host file the same way under NT as it would under 98/95.
Are you getting dynamic IP's under either OS?
Response #6
By: Da Sissop
Date: 9/20/00 6:04:08 AM
Nope, but IE under NT redirects to a .dll called something like shdoc.dll or somesuch to display the dns "can't find server" error message. My guess is that the NT version of this .dll is more obnoxious than the 95/98/Me version.
Response #7
By: Ralf
Date: 9/20/00 7:15:54 AM
You are correct sir! NT is a different beast.
There's a huge discussion on this very subject at the Gibson Research site, www.grc.com. They have an NNTP server there with lots of security related threads.
One thing that's clear: the HOSTS file is a polarizing debate. Many feel it's wonderful while others think it's loathesome. The detractors cite performance issues, since your DNS lookups can become slower and slower as the HOSTS file grows. Others feel it's a neverending battle, since new adservers are popping up all the time, and keeping HOSTS up to date is an exercise in futility.
Then there are those who think the ads are a necessary evil. If they stopped working (i.e. click-thrus fell off because nobody saw them) then many "free" sites would go out of business or become pay-for-play.
Me, I just ignore them. OCCASIONALLY I'll see one that's so clever or interesting that I'll reward the creator with a click-thru, just to help darwin along. Just like TV advertising, theres no reason why we can't have GOOD, entertaining banner ads instead of dreck.
Response #8
By: sooz
Date: 9/20/00 7:56:13 AM
The Os is part of the cervix, you know.
Susan, Medical Transcriptionist
Response #9
By: Ralf
Date: 9/20/00 10:45:53 AM
Which part? The little drippy bit where mucous oozes out?
Response #10
By: Capt. Spastic
Date: 9/20/00 8:28:21 PM
Hmm, wonder what would happen if you renamed the .dll file?
I believe it's the dnsredir.dll if I remember correctly.
Response #11
By: sooz
Date: 9/21/00 11:56:47 AM
I dunno. I just type it.