I second Clint's analysis here. I used the Google Toolbar for a while, but found it very intrusive and it definitely does send info to Google about what you are doing.
For me, as well, the Panicwear popup stopper is the best I have found so far. I use the free edition and have no worries about it being resident with the little hand in the tool tray. The Avant Browser is actually an overlay on Internet Explorer, not a "true" browser. I found it more of a hassle than anything. Roger ======================================================= Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Support-OrpheusComputing.com" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, February 29, 2004 4:40 AM Subject: Re: PCWorks: Ad pop up killer needed > That Google toolbar is a major problem waiting to happen (and > it already has in some instances). For one, when I tried it I > had all kinds of problems. It "took over" the IE toolbar. I > could NOT disable it. When I'd try, it kept coming back on > every browser window I opened and what made it even more > irritating is that it came back not in the state that I wanted > it, and kept deleting my "Links" toolbar, my PopUp stopper > toolbar (which works perfect and I don't want to use Google's), > and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary/spell check button I added, > and also totally rearranged my customized toolbar layout > settings. Obviously not everyone is having that problem. > > The other issue is the function of the toolbar itself which > DOES effect every user. The toolbar is tagged as spyware by > some anti-spyware programs which was not a surprise to me since > Google DOES track your surfing habits when the toolbar is used. > It's possible you're being tracked even when it's "disabled" > since it doesn't appear to ever be *TOTALLY* disabled. > > Another issue is the most serious of all, and that is the fact > that anyone and everyone can play "internet God" and "make or > break" ANY website by abusing the "page rank" feature. What's > to stop one of your "competitors" from standing on the "blue > face icon" thousands of times a day until your "page rank" is > zero?? Google is going on the assumption that every single net > user is a "perfect human being with high morals and high > scruples bearing no malice towards anything or anyone", which > of course is ridiculous. What happens to those of you with > websites and they are similar websites as some others; when > those "others" and their friends visit your site and have a > field day on the blue face icon? You suffer dearly. > > There are at least two lawsuits now pending against Google for > the toolbar, and I think more will follow. > > Is it handy? Yes. Does it have nice features? Yes. Does it > have some problems with functionality? Yes, in my case it did, > that's why I removed it. Can it be "immoral"? Unfortunately, > yes, and that's just up to the user to determine whether they > want to use it or not, and be part of how it can victimize > website owners in the wrong hands. I just thought it would be > a good idea to open some eyes about its issues. > > BTW, I use Panicware's PopUp Stopper Pro, and it's the best > I've ever used. There is a non-pro free version that works the > same, however it must be in the system tray and running in the > background to work. The Pro version has nothing running in the > BG, it becomes part of the IE toolbar and is NOT intrusive at > all, it's just a tiny icon that sits next to your "Links" or > anywhere you want. http://panicware.com/product_downloads.html > . Hmmm, looking at that it looks like the latest free version > is similar to the Pro version now and may not have to be in the > system tray anymore. > -Clint > > God Bless > Clint Hamilton, Owner > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Thomas Fisher" < > > I'll second the google toolbar. I used it for some time before > I > installed Avant Browser and used the built in pop-up stopper > there. > As Keith mentioned, take a look around at other browser > options. Many > have the ability to block scripts, media types and other items > all with > the click of a button. Some of those browsers are totally > different > options, and others are built onto the IE shell, like Avant > (http://www.avantbrowser.com/) and MyIE2 > (http://www.myie2.com/). Take > a look at the toolbars and other browsers before you download > and > install an separate program to do the same job. > > Thomas > > > -----Original Message----- > > > http://toolbar.google.com > > or > > http://toolbar.msn.com > > > > Have it built in, free. > > Thank you, > > Eric Vogel > > > Hi All.. > I just upgraded to XP Home editon.. and now > need a good ad pop up killer.. > Can some recommend a free one?? > Thanks a million.. > Liz ============= PCWorks Mailing List ================= Don't see your post? Check our posting guidelines & make sure you've followed proper posting procedures, http://pcworkers.com/rules.htm Contact list owner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribing and other changes: http://pcworkers.com =====================================================
