Slashdot Mirror
Ads With Your Name On Them
eldavojohn writes "The NYTimes is running an interesting blog piece on the answers Microsoft, AOL, Yahoo, & Google gave to the question: Can they show you an ad with your name on it? The results: 'Microsoft says it could use only a person's first name [which it doesn't consider personal information]. AOL and Yahoo could use a full name but only on their sites, not the other sites on which they place ads. Google isn't sure; it probably could, but it doesn't know the names of most of its users.' Now whether or not they would use this information is a different story. AOL has no plans to, Yahoo is open to it, and Microsoft has implemented a technological barrier preventing it (despite behavioral and demographic data being served to the ad companies). Although Google might use name information at some point, they don't now do so; nor do they use behavioral or demographic data."
As a dumb slashdot moderator, I uppose this.
I just don't want my retarded children to see an ad that says, "Hey Douchebag McGee, how about a book on logic? If you read it you wouldn't be such a dumbass."
Will slashdot implement a form of this as a replacement for the CowbowNeal option?
Kdawson
We have an offer you simply cannot refuse! Kdawson, if you will just submit your name to us, we can use your real name in our ads instead of this silly Slashdot nick for just a one-time fee of $59.95! Get our your checkbook or credit card and call or visit our website today!
Granted, I was very un-hopeful when that flick came out, on the one hand, Philip K. Dick, on the other three (and both legs and much of the torso) was Tom Cruise. Still the personalized ads bit was there. Funny how they offered him pink clothing.
Roflmao
Sorry about the writing. Robot fingers, you know? Cliff Steele in DOOM PATROL #23
Exactly. That's why they're not going to do this. They don't want you knowing that they know who you are. Unless of course they know you know they know who you are.
First time I saw "personals" ads on a web page that seemed to know what city I lived in, I kinda freaked.
"Meet sexy singles in [your town]." And then it shows some "example" profiles of some women who are most likely just models. Then I look closer and I think "Oh my God, I've slept with these women! How did they know?" Then I realized that they just got my location from my IP and that I've slept with pretty much all the attractive women around here so it didn't really matter which ones they chose.
Good news is that it reminded me to go get tested for STDs.
"THERE IS NO JUSTICE, THERE IS ONLY ME." -Death
Anyway, while it freaked me out too the first (and still kind of does) it's not like they know anything that any other retailer with cookies doesn't know. It seems like unnecessarily off-putting advertising though.
What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
Really? Most people I know just select one for free. Your friends must have more money than mine...
Tell your friends I'll sell them the same brand nicknames for 35% off retail price. I also offer an extended warranty for $29.99.
I love those becasue my first name is legally C. (it's a long story). I love getting junk mail addressed to C.
"Act now! You could get a check made out to C. today!"
I judt got a nre Kinesis keybiartf so please excusr ant egregiou typos.
When I'm on the internet at work my IP address is one registered to my company's parent company in a different state, not even close to my actual location. So I see all these ads telling me what great deals I can get on real estate, insurance, and bachelor's degrees in this other little town I have never even been to.
I get a certain perverted kind of pleasure from that!
"Meet sexy singles in [your town]." And then it shows some "example" profiles of some women who are most likely just models. Then I look closer and I think "Oh my God, I've slept with these women! How did they know?" Then I realized that they just got my location from my IP and that I've slept with pretty much all the slutty women around here so it didn't really matter which ones they chose.
Good news is that it reminded me to go get tested for STDs.
There, fixed that for ya.
What if Tetris was invented by Nazis?
they could be doing it now for all I know. Between adblock, flashblock, and spam filtering I don't see many ads at all. Actually with the DVR at home ads anywhere are a rarity in my life. Maybe they should advertise during the superbowl...
Sheldon
Those who don't put the "k" in America.
I disagree. I'd say that the "k" in America is much more likely to be put there by someone who isn't really concerned-- or able-- to violate privacy by culling personal information. Look at their lack of data accuracy, for instance. Anyone with any sort of purpose, be it nefarious or otherwise, would at least be able to spell-check their way through "America". Do you think these type of people could even pronounce your name correctly?
Blurting names also confirms the name of a mark who conscientiously and carefully LIED to her follower about her name, only to be f*scked over by her emerging stalker.
This is why honesty is the best policy. That, or a unified and vigilant front of deception. Oh-- and avoiding wildly improbable scenarios. That too.
Information wants to be free.
Entertainment wants to be paid.
You just want to be cheap.
Yeah, but they're both dead. See where that gets you?
Information wants to be free.
Entertainment wants to be paid.
You just want to be cheap.
Guess not anymore :-)
So much for privacy on the internet.. :-)
- Leon Mergen
http://www.solatis.com
I'll change all my user names to "Your Can't". That way I'll know which ads are useless.
"You Can't find everything you need at carpet warehouse!"
"You Can't find 'quadratic equation' and anything else on eBay!"
I hate those eBay ads that just take your google search input to serve in the ad. Apparently eBay will sell you entire cities.
-b
No offense, but I've stopped responding to AC's.