Spamify the web!

January 31, 2005

Speaking of questionable business practices, since “Paxfire”:http://www.paxfire.com/ was unable to get their server-error-advertising scheme past ICANN(Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), “they’re selling it to ISPs”:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50115-2005Jan30.html. It works like this: you mistype a URL and instead of getting a mostly unhelpful error message, you get a mostly unhelpful page full of ads. Apparently this time, though, you’re allowed to opt out.

The problem with opt-out is companies get a chance to to make you feel evil and stupid for opting out. “Please remove me from your very helpful service, even though the health of your children depend on my being assaulted by intrustive advertising. I have no interest in correcting my fumble-fingered mistakes.”

Now, if there was a “You die and you go to hell” feedback option on the opt-out, it might be a bit more satisfying.

Posted in Technology