Best way to stop adds being downloaded?

[Jast]

I was wondering if people have firefox configured so that not only are
adds not displayed (I use adblock and filterset.g) but they are not
downloaded, thus this would significantly speed up some webpages.

Is there a simple way to do this? And if so can the filter rules be
updated in a similar way to how filterset.g does it?

 

[nueoff]

I was wondering if people have firefox configured so that not only are
adds not displayed (I use adblock and filterset.g) but they are not
downloaded, thus this would significantly speed up some webpages.

Is there a simple way to do this? And if so can the filter rules be
updated in a similar way to how filterset.g does it?

One good approach is to use a hosts file. It configures Windows to
refuse connection to certain websites. Works well in conjunction with
adblock.
See: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
I have been using this one for several years with no problems. It
needs to be updated manually, but this just takes five minutes, once a
month or so.

 

[nueoff]

I was wondering if people have firefox configured so that not only are
adds not displayed (I use adblock and filterset.g) but they are not
downloaded, thus this would significantly speed up some webpages.

Is there a simple way to do this? And if so can the filter rules be
updated in a similar way to how filterset.g does it?

As an afterthought, you should also get a Firefox extension, Flashblock
1.5, that prevents flash objects from playing unless you click a button
to allow if.

 

[Ben]

I was wondering if people have firefox configured so that not only are
adds not displayed (I use adblock and filterset.g) but they are not
downloaded, thus this would significantly speed up some webpages.

Is there a simple way to do this? And if so can the filter rules be
updated in a similar way to how filterset.g does it?

Unless something has changed in AdBlock since I last used it, it had the
option of either choosing to download then hide ads, or simply not
download them. Maybe I am misunderstanding your question?

B

 

[rich]

was wondering if people have firefox configured so that not only are
adds not displayed (I use adblock and filterset.g) but they are not
downloaded, thus this would significantly speed up some webpages.

Is there a simple way to do this? And if so can the filter rules be
updated in a similar way to how filterset.g does it?

You could try Privoxy - it is looking a bit long in the tooth but works fine
with firefox/opera/internet explorer.
Needs a little studying to set up.

http://www.privoxy.org/

The standard rules (action.file) has not been updated for some time but
still blocks most ads.
There is a more comprehensive set of rules here:

http://www.neilvandyke.org/privoxy-rules/

 

[Jast]

Yeah got flashblock, love it!

As an afterthought, you should also get a Firefox extension, Flashblock
1.5, that prevents flash objects from playing unless you click a button
to allow if.

 

[Jast]

Could do, but I'm too lazy for that. I have cable so it doesn't bother
me as my pages load fast. It is for some friends on dial up, who I don't
think could manage editing their hosts file

 

[Jast]

Can't find the option to prevent adds from being downloaded Maybe I'm
missing something.

 

[Ben]

Can't find the option to prevent adds from being downloaded Maybe I'm
missing something.

If you're using AdBlock Plus ( http://adblockplus.mozdev.org/ ) it's
enabled by default - you have to enable "Support Websites" if you want
it to download but then hide ads.

If you're using Adblock standard ( http://adblock.mozdev.org/ ) you'll
want the Dev build.

From the Adblock standard FAQ -

'What's the difference between "hide" and "remove"?
"Hide" preserves a page's layout -- content being downloaded, but not
visibly rendered.
..
"Remove" collapses the layout -- no content is downloaded.'

B

 

[milou]

Can't find the option to prevent adds from being downloaded Maybe I'm
missing something.

It's to punish you for being a lazy, clueless top poster.

 

[Jast]

Thanks! Didn't realise that. Just updated it so will check it out!

 

[Frank Bohan]

One good approach is to use a hosts file. It configures Windows to
refuse connection to certain websites. Works well in conjunction with
adblock.
See: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
I have been using this one for several years with no problems. It
needs to be updated manually, but this just takes five minutes, once a
month or so.

I also use this, but add URLs from other sources, such as Spyware Warrior.
At present, I have about 25000 addresses listed. I do not normally use
Google except through Scroogle or a metasearch engine, but including the
following URLs in the hostfile will eradicate most the Google ads:

www.googleadservices.com
pagead.googlesyndication.com
imageads1.googleadservices.com
imageads.googleadservices.com
adwords.google.com
adservices.google.com

Incidentally, do NOT include the initial "http://" nor a terminal "/" in
hostfile addresses as this stops them working. It is a good idea to use a
hostfile manager, I use Hosts Toggle:
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/HostsToggle/

===

Frank Bohan
¶ When you do not know what you are doing, do it neatly.

Frank Bohan
¶ In an atomic war, all men will be cremated equal.