How to Stop Popup Windows: STOPzilla Does the Job
Written: Jul 02 '03
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Works as advertised, free trial, inexpensive
Cons: Not free, occasional lapses
The Bottom Line: A successful way to block popup ads from inundating your system.
|
|
|
| hwz1's Full Review: Stopzilla! The Ultimate Popup Killer (S2-107) |
Let me assume that you are like the rest of the world and you are not a fan of spam. Would you put an end to it if you could? Would you pay to do so? How about those ever multiplying popup ads?
I decided that I had to do something. I would end up with the ever annoying popup ads all the time. I visit the ESPN web site and get bombarded with travel popup ads. Go to Sports Illustrated (si.com) and get annoyed by an offer to purchase a subscription with every single page view (!). Unfortunately, this is just the beginning. Virtually every web site is now a host to popup ads. I took action.
Initially I gave a free "popup stopper" service a try and was somewhat pleased. The problem was that anytime you wanted to open a new window, you had to diable the service. After a short period this became too annoying to do 10 or 20 times a day and the service did allow maybe 10% of the ads to make it through.
So, I searched for something better and found Stopzilla. I was open to paying a small amount of money for the convenience and peace of mind of never having to "not" view an ad for a travel agency (I cannot even think of the name and I see it five times a day.)ever again.
WHAT I LIKE:
1. Stopzilla acts like a firewall. Essentially, it blocks ads that it deems unlikely to be something you want to view. It will allow you to open windows without having to disable the system if you configure it in that manner- more on that shortly.
2. The system is inexpensive. For $30 you can block popup ads. Yes that is more than free, but yes it is also worth it. The company offers a free 15 day trial period that I would recommend taking advantage of.
3. You can configure Stopzilla in many different ways. The following are the options that are available:
A. Always enable when computer starts
B. Warn me before blocking ads
C. Enable audio when an ad is blocked
D. Always ad blocked ads to blocked list
What these options provide is flexibility. You can block the stuff you do not want to see, or you have the option to view before the popup is blocked. Once you view, you can ad it to a blocked list and you will not see the ad again. All of this is done with a simple click of the mouse.
4. Stopzilla works- for now. Every now and then an ad will make it's way through the system, but I would guess that less than 1% make it through. A much better ratio than most of the free popup blocking software provides.
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE:
1. Stopzilla works- for now. I worry about how long until the popup guys develop a new and more effective way to make popup ads work. Eventually it will happen. When it does happen will Stopzilla provide an effective upgrade?
2. I would love it if the system also worked on spam. I have to empty my mailbox twice a day in order to keep from being at 110% capacity. If I go away for a weekend, my email shuts down sometime on Sunday. I would love it if Stopzilla fought both types of spam.
WHY NOT A "DO NOT SPAM" LIST:
I wish the government would just wise up and go ahead make a do not spam list. It has only been a few days since the do not call list came into effect and the FTC was inundated with people signing up. A do not spam list would be even more effective. Heck, they could automatically enroll every email address as far as I am concerned.
The problem is that spammers threaten to move offshore where the laws are not as stringent and where they can escape any sort of prosecution. Hence, the problem of making a do not spam list. Regardless, the government needs to get involved or the internet will become a much less enjoyable part of everyone's life.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
I would purchase Stopzilla again without hesitation. Do I wish it was free? Of course. But lets face it, in order to effectively block popup ads, you will probably have to spend a little bit of money. Stopzilla works and the cost is minimal.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
hwz1
|
 - Top 50 |
|
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Reviews written: 845
Trusted by: 920 members
About Me:
Just got a big promotion that will move my new wife and I to Atlanta.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2008 Shopping.com, Inc.