Ad Block Plus Filter Maintainer "rick752" Dies At 56

A user on Reddit pointed out that Richard "rick752" Petnel, maintainer of one of the most popular filter lists for Ad Block Plus, has passed away at age 56. In an article last year Petnel described a bit of what he was up against in the ad world. "'I'm playing against some pretty big players,' he said, explaining his reluctance to step forward. 'I don't want to be harassed. . . . I don't want to be bribed. I started it because I was frustrated with getting my computer infected from ads -- malware and spyware and all that stuff,' he said. 'I kind of went overboard with it. But you have to admit, it's pretty amazing, right?'" Update 15:05 GMT by SM: updated to reflect Rick's status as maintainer of the most popular Ad Block Plus filter as opposed to Ad Block Plus itself.

Comments

i'm not usually the tin foil hat kind of person

[circletimessquare]

but how much money does this guy going away represent to the ad industry?

Us Americans...

[gbutler69]

...need to completely FORGET ABOUT RETIREMENT! It isn't going to exist for anyone under 40. Plan on working until the day you die. As it should be.

The last 1/2 century or so in which us Americans have enjoyed so much and had the reasonable expectation of a retirement of relaxation is unprecedented in history. It is gone, gone, gone!

As energy becomes more and more scarce productivity WILL decline! Civilization is on the way out. We will be back to pre-industrial conditions within 100 years. Population will peak, and then decline. We will eventually become extinct.

Enjoy your retirement!

Condolences, and thanks

[squarooticus]

Unlike most of you blood-sucking parasites, Rick did something that enriched the lives and enhanced the productivity of millions of people every day. Most of you are nothing but a waste of bits: fuck you.

Rick: I'm sorry I didn't know you, but to say that I appreciated your work would be a massive understatement. Virtually single-handedly, you made the web usable by eliminating the distractions and allowing the content to shine through. RIP.

Re:This does underscore one flaw in OSS

[rAiNsT0rm]

Wow, your pretty high and mighty for someone named "drinkypoo." I think I'll sit out a battle of wits with you.

If you can't see that *This* instance, this one right here, the one in the article, today, shows the possibility for problems then you are pretty mentally deficient. In fact, you don't know what REAL repercussions this will actually have despite what others have said or think will come of it. Just like when someone seemingly insignificant leaves a company and then all of a sudden the realization that they had or did some critical thing that no one can now do or access.

But, nevermind, there is no problem and this hasn't already happened in the past and will surely never happen again. Christ. Gimme a fuckin break shit eater.