anyone else think this intrusive website hook is just... "wrong"?

[Darren Dirt]

I found this because I was reading a cbc.ca news article and noticed in IE there was a script error, whenever I selected text. So I tried in Firefox, no error, but every time I finished drag-selecting, it visited somethingsomething.tynt.com -- and so I looked at the Javascript ( "http://tcr.tynt.com/javascripts/Tracer.js?user=col9oIbFKr359NadbiUzgI&s=121" ) and realized this thing is way more intrusive than just sending tracking stats back to a server (i.e. screen resolution, browser version, etc.) instead this thing... okay, well just read the promo copy on the main page:

http://www.tynt.com/


So as I asked in the thread title, what do you guys think. For the benefit of Thorin ( okay I'll stop it now...) , I personally hold the opinion that this unquestionably crosses a "line" of reasonableness when it comes to stealthily gathering detailed information on an individual user's visit to the webpage. Mainly because it's not obvious to the average user that it is doing this. And yet they promote their service like it's something objective Good!? lol

[Melbosa]

It may be wrong... but nothing we can do to stop it.

[Lazybones]

Adblock should make it easy to block.

[Darren Dirt]

Adblock should make it easy to block.

sure, something like AdBlock, or heck even modifying your HOSTS file, should be enough to say DIAGF to that domain... just surprised to see that kind of service being promoted so positively, it's so hidden and yet adds a huge chunk of script load for the poor rural dial-up user trying to read cbc.ca or a lot of the online news sites (I think National Post or Globe and Mail was another I found it on) ... the average user does not know how to block sites, esp. if they don't even know they're doing this kind of thing.

:sigh: can't expect things to stay pure and streamlined anymore I guess, all this time it just keeps getting worse and more like slogging through mud, dang that profit motive, gotta protect that content... Because, after all, tiiSB  

[Darren Dirt]

lol I can't believe this code is EVERYWHERE, it's gone viral... it's even on web developer tip sites like http://www.webdesign.org/web-programming/javascript/window-status.11127.html

Kinda annoying to PASTE IN THE CODE that they suggest you highlight and copy... and seeing "Read More: XYZ.com" added to the end EVERY TIME. 

[Thorin]

I agree with you that it's retarded.

If you're using Firefox and have Adblock Plus installed:

1. Click Tools->Adblock Plus Preferences...
2. Click the Add filter... button
3. Enter |http://tcr.tynt.com/javascripts/Tracer.js for your new filter
4. Click OK or Apply

I'm waiting for the inevitable patent lawsuit to appear.

[Tom]

I agree with you that it's retarded.

If you're using Firefox and have Adblock Plus installed:

1. Click Tools->Adblock Plus Preferences...
2. Click the Add filter... button
3. Enter |http://tcr.tynt.com/javascripts/Tracer.js for your new filter
4. Click OK or Apply

I'm waiting for the inevitable patent lawsuit to appear.

I might have to add that to my firewall's filters.

[Melbosa]

It is just so sad that we have to block this @%&#, even on a reputable site as this...

[Mr. Analog]

Ad networks are the scum of the earth and should be blocked.

Why? They often DON'T review the scripts/content provided by all their advertisers.

Imagine how much freed up bandwidth there would be on the net if there was no spam or "unseen" script communication bouncing around on every request.

[Thorin]

Ad networks are the scum of the earth and should be blocked.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Now, how do websites make money?  Getting paid for every million views of an ad is, at the moment, the easiest way to make money.  Convincing users to pay has proved difficult in the most part so far.

[Mr. Analog]

A site can still run ads, just not through a network. Or they can sell products or offer subscriptions or request donations.

I'm not saying they're easy ways to make money, but it is possible.