Tuesday, June 22, 2004

It's time for jihad against invasive marketing software. Bloggers should held spread the word. I will go out of my way not to do business with companies that use programs like WhenUSearch and CoolWebSearch. If pop up ads are a little like a telemarketer calling at dinnertime, these programs are like a salesman who pushes into your kitchen, sits down at the table, and starts telling you what he'd like to eat. And every time you throw him out, he comes back. Until you whack him with a baseball bat called "Hijack This" (thanks, Terry Heaton, for the tip). My computer is private property. It's also an extension of my brain. Deploying software that takes control away from me, crashes the browser, and clutters the screen with crap is something close to a physical violation. Today's WSJ says some big companies think its worthwhile to use these programs. I think they underestimate the negative feelings they are generating. This page includes a list of some companies that have used these tools. Big names include Allstate Insurance, Chrysler, Radisson, and Verizon. Let them know how you feel, by email and in the marketplace. 2:48:40 PM    comment []