Now I am getting a blank space in place of the ads.
But
the
text
is
still
a
narrow
column.

I spoke too soon. That annoyance is back.

I'm still trying to figure out what you guys are talking about. I do notice a wide space of white at the right of the screen. And sometimes it's vaguely outlined with a fine line, and sometimes there is a tiny X in the top corner in a tiny box -- like I get on emails that aren't cleared -- instead of the pictures. Must be my spam blocker or pop-up blocker is removing these for me. All I have, as I said, is extra white space. And right now (when I'm posting a reply) there is a white margin at both sides of the screen. The ugly gold and orange header with the black blob is narrowed down as well, and the margins go all the way to the top.

Patrick, this is what I was getting for 5 minutes :)

Now, for all of us not worthy of attention of His Magesty Ad Blocker and Her Magest Pop Stopper it's an annoying Expedia color ad.

Patrick - The ads are appearing in that space you have to the right of the thread. So far I have seen them for Marriott and Luxury Link not Expedia.
I've also had one appear across the top as I tried to respond to a thread.

Just a suggestion. Some of you might want to try the newest version of the Firefox browser (1.03). Its much better than Internet Explorer, and it does block pop up ads.

Just go to www.mozilla.org

Its an easy download.

Tiff- I'm laughing and must respond to your post about that scary Balinese "dragon"-actually not a dragon at all, but a DEMON, and he/she has a name -"RANGDA." You know, you'll see it all over Bali in various Balinese cultural dances, particularly in the Barong dance! I'm also thinking you wouldn't want to come by my place, 'cause I actually have one of those demon masks above a doorway, not far from my elegant Venetian masks-there are those who do not fancy it at all, and have asked me to take it down, but there it stays-it acts as a guardian to keep out the evil spirits!

and Sandi-exactly my point. It's most assuredly a two-way benefit here.

These ads are very annoying. I've just sent an e-mail to the editors at Fodor's and suggest everyone do the same.

One of my pop-blockers, probably Ad-Aware (go to www.lavasoft.de for free download) has eliminated it (all but the white space), but it's still annoying to have had to confront it.
I say probably because the MSFT anti-spyware which I downloaded purportedly blocks stuff too.

I don't really have any objection to the ads per se, but it does have a very annoying effect on the posts which are now
s
t
r
e
t
c
h
e
d

o
u
t

down the page and consequently less easy to read.

Jim

I spoke (posted) too soon.
The advertisement must have a built-in pop-up UN-blocker, as the ads are now appearing again.
I wonder if Marriott marketing understands the concept of negative image advertising.
It's bad enough to have the ad; if it were passive I could at least ignore it.
But it's so damned aggressive, and in-your-face!!!!!

I feel left out. I'm getting no ads. My son must have done yet another good thing to my browser. I don't have Firefox (he uses it on his laptop) but he recommends it to keep out spyware and other what not.

Firefox may be part of the key; with Firefox I don't see it, when I use Explorer I do

Don't have the problem with Firefox. I've been using it for awhile now and recently updated to the latest version. While it doesn't work with every web site, it certainly eliminates problems like this one because it blocks a lot of things. IMHO it also is less likely to pick up viruses than Internet Explorer. Don't know why everyone doesn't try it since it is free.

I've got two computers, one with Norton Internet Security and one without it. The one with Norton (which has a pop-up stopper) doesn't get the ads, the other sees what you all see, and is it ever annoying! This is one time I wish I had no peripheral vision.

As bad as this is, take some consolation in the fact that it could be worse. The ads on Morningstar flash on and off in the same location, as you're trying to concentrate on a technical write-up, which, by the way, we are also paying for because we elected to get their "premium service"!

Norton Internet Security is expensive, but it's worth the price to get rid of this junk.

I <i>know</i> that is what is making the difference in my computers. Does anyone have a less expensive solution (other than &quot;deal with it&quot; that is :( ).

On the one hand, this forum is free...

On the other hand, makes me never, ever, want to use Expedia. But, then, I've found their &quot;web specials&quot;, which require prepayment with no cancellation, for hotels are, more often than not considerably higher, than ANY other means of booking.

I've noticed that the site seems a little slower and I have gotten a couple of those wierd error messages but no ads thank goodness. I think all my Norton stuff keeps the ads at bay, along with alot of other stuff.

I don't see it either...thankfully...but I thought the msg was all scrunched up on the left...now that explains why....I'm just grateful that my security level doesn't allow that ad to show...it sounds scary. :)

Related question.
Is Firefox 1.0.3 a little faster than the previous version?

I forgot that in addition to all the other belt-and-suspenders protection I have on here, I have Norton Inernet Security as well. Disabled it for just a minute and sure enough... I see what all of you are talking about.

For what it's worth...

Thanks OO for solving that one. Yes, I too just disabled my Norton and the popup blocker and there those ads appeared. Wow, some of them even move -- talk about annoying. I really appreciate my Norton now! Well it's back on now and the ads are GONE!

I am confused! I have Norton too. I do not get ads on any other websites, just Fodor's. What gives?

These also cause a problem for those not lucky enough to have good internet speed connections, wqhen you are still on 28kps which often is little more than 14kps this is a real nuisance, guess it's up to them but the more ads they push...oh well

Ads are pretty much a way of life for commercial websites. However, accepting vertical ads in a narrowed frame page is just bad web design.

My opinion on this has nothing to do with living with rules. My having an opinion on lousy design work can't in anyway break the &quot;rules&quot;. And anyone who think Fodors pays for the bandwidth, maintenance, server space, staff and other overhead associated with this site out of the goodness of their hearts... well, ok that must be the reason. ;) Couldn't be anything in it for them. Nawwww...

&gt; Why should we accept it on this forum?
&gt; It's:
&gt; Annoying
Yep.
&gt; Obnoxious
Yep again.
&gt; Impossible to get rid of
Nope. Sounds like it's a Shockwave Flash ad. Disable Flash and it's gone. Get Firefox and the Adblock extension and enjoy the web again.
http://www.getfirefox.com
http://adblock.mozdev.org/

LOL, Spygirl, demons, dragons, Venetian masks, whichever, I'll come over and visit, just make sure I am welcomed with a glass of wine, k.

Lions and tigers and demons, Oh My.

:S- T.

Tiff, with all the annoying popup ads etc. we all will be drinking more wine then ever. And a few people have accussed Fodorites of being alcholics anyway! So cin, cin!

Clifton - the voice of sense. I completely agree that Fodor's has every right to sell ad space, however, I DON&quot;T agree with some of the comments about how we're just the guests here and don't have a say. Actually, we're Fodor's potential customers - that's how they view us. They haven't set this forum up out of the goodness of their hearts, they've done it for self-pubilicity, and in the hope that our goodwill towards them will result in us buying their books.

So, as we're customers, and a lot of us are p*ssed off, perhaps they need to review the placement of this ad. Put it somwhere else! It's just damn poor design, as Clifton pointed out.

Kate
Designer

I agree, its not just the annoying ad (Its for Hertz now) its the placement. If they want to do it, fine, just move it to the top of the page or something.

No ads here, nor on any other sites! Thanks to my Norton Internet Security with pop-up blocker.

One more thing ... some posters said we are Fodor's GUESTS. Is that so? What would Fodor's be without US?

I agree with Kate, without the posters who ask/reply to questions the forum would be 'empty', we are the ones who provide the 'content', it doesn't exists unless there are meaningful questions and a good number of responses and information, would us the forum is empty.
Same applies to search engines, without the 'content' there is nothing, it's a 2 way street. Now some ads are appearing 'across' the text so you have to close it to see the posts/answers.

Hate the new ad format! Very intrusive - very annoying. I don't know about the rest of you, but when I see these annoying ads, it just makes me more determined than ever <b>not</b> to click on their stupid ads.

ttt
Bringing this back up to get ad managers' attention.

They should be doing site check to see how the banners are doing, so hopefully getting someone to notice it's not exactly embraced by the consumers.

Fodors, advertisers: may want to reconsider a new ad format that is more user friendly/enhance the forum's experience, not impair it. thx.

Well, FWIW I have worked out that I can cope with them being there, but it's a) a pain if they move and b) unacceptable if they fold out over the text. The close button on that Marriott one doesn't work, and I suspect it's not an accident! Email to eds coming up.

Incidentally I do not blame the adverisers in any way. This is down to the eds.

Wow. I have already commented about not seeing any ads, presumably thanks to my Norton system and pop up blocker. But suddenly today, some of the ads are overriding that system. For the first time I am getting some expedia ads and several annoying things that are just &quot;Fodors&quot; ads. Have they figured out how to override our popup blockers that worked until today?

But has anyone noticed Fodor's little effort at damage control? Every so often, in between the ads that are driving everyone crazy, they have this cutesy thing about the best way to plan a trip is to use Fodor's professional advice and the wonderful stuff on Fodor's Talk. That's us, folks! Doesn't that make you feel all warm and cozy?!?

Frankly, I don't buy it and I wish they'd get rid of the horrid ads that take up so much space -- and sometimes energy, when you have to click them closed.

Patrick, I'm still ad-free. Hope to keep it that way. :D

No ads for me on this computer, using either Firefox (primary) or IE (back-up) with full version of McAfee internet security...not that I'm complaining!

Lately I've been getting a FODOR'S ad that covers up the whole screen, and there is no way to close it without closing fodor's.com and starting all over again. I can put up with the ads on the side and the half blank screen, but not with that! I really think Fodor's should re-think that ad.

Still no annoying ads...thank you Norton!