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Microsoft's Hidden Windows 8 Feature: Ads
MojoKid writes "Despite the fact that I've been using Windows 8 for the past three weeks, I somehow managed to overlook a rather stark feature in the OS: ads. No, we're not talking about ads cluttering up the desktop or login screen (thankfully), but rather ads that can be found inside of some Modern UI apps that Windows ships with. That includes Finance, Weather, Travel, News and so forth. On previous mobile platforms, such as iOS and Android, seeing ads inside of free apps hasn't been uncommon. It's a way for the developer to get paid while allowing the user to have the app for free. However, while people can expect ads in a free app, no one expects ads in a piece of software that they just paid good money for."
http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=3239985&cid=41919329
* Per my subject-line above - The program I wrote in that link above? It gives you no adbanners (and a lot more too, as a NICE bonus - see the link), lickety-split!
By creating a custom hosts file from 12 reputable + reliable sources, & it gives you a "mega hosts file" that's "all business" - all duplicates normalized out + removed, & alphabetically sorted for easier end-user mgt.!
(The resulting custom hosts file has NO garbage & bloating "bulk" in commentary + inefficient blocking address formats like 127.0.0.1 either, instead, allowing you to go to a smaller & faster parsed + loaded 0.0.0.0 format as well...).
Bottom-line/Closing note: It is the MOST efficient way to block out adbanners under the sun, AND, it's NOT OWNED BY ADVERTISERS either (AdBlock + Ghostery, are & are CRIPPLED by default because of it)... period - no questions asked!
APK
P.S.=> Enjoy... it works by using a feature your OS already has, & thus, it's "tightly integrated" with it already!
... apk
"I don't believe that hosts is faster than adblock, which blocks content before the domain name is resolved." - by Tenebrousedge (1226584) on Thursday November 08, @12:46PM (#41920737)
So do hosts files (and they do things adblock just plain can't too) BUT AT A LOWER & FASTER LEVEL OF OPERATION (ring 0/rpl 0/kernelmode)...
Thus AdBlock's JUST PLAIN SLOWER per my subject-line above!
(That's just the "physics" of how things work in Windows NT-based OS & most other modern OS)...
Custom hosts are already a basic part of the OS, & are "tightly integrated" because of it as well!
(Merely acting as a filter for the IP Stack, which has what? 40++ yrs. of optimization built into it, AND the fact it's written in C & Assembly language running in kernelmode (far, Far, FAR FASTER than usermode stuff like browsers as is, slowed down MORE by adblock layered on).
* Just common sense...
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"Also, why should I trust a piece of closed-source software with my DNS records?" - by Tenebrousedge (1226584) on Thursday November 08, @12:46PM (#41920737)
Because it works better, faster, & more efficiently than AdBlock or Ghostery.
Because it's NOT OWNED by advertisers & INTENTIONALLY CRIPPLED (both AdBlock + Ghostery are, & are crippled by default + tracking you, respectively).
Because custom hosts files can do MORE than just block ads... things AdBlock CANNOT DO, such as:
A.) Speedup your "favorite" websites via host file record entry hardcodes
B.) Operate on ALL WEBBOUND APPS globally (adblock only operates on Mozilla products)
C.) Allow you to circumvent DNSBL's (DNS block lists)
D.) Allow you to beat DNS request logs
& FAR more... see the initial link I posted for more.
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"this is what a DNS cache is for. " - by Tenebrousedge (1226584) on Thursday November 08, @12:46PM (#41920737)
Windows local DNS caching clientside cache is FAULTY with larger hosts files, for starters (known fact, I cut it out saving RAM, CPU cycles, & other forms of I/O opting instead to use the hosts file, cached into the local kernelmode diskcaching subsystem instead - gaining speed THAT WAY instead, since hosts are just a FILE LIKE ANY OTHER...
Heck - on THAT note?
Well... I even got an MS own "Windows Client Performance Division" SENIOR MGR. to concede it, here on /. too no less -> http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1467692&cid=30384918 along with the fact I have a way to speedup hosts file loads & parses!
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"A local DNS caching server is going to be just as fast, and much more flexible." - by Tenebrousedge (1226584) on Thursday November 08, @12:46PM (#41920737)
Introducing YET ANOTHER PIECE OF COMPLEX SOFTWARE for a user to use.
Introducing more CPU cycles, RAM, & other forms of I/O for the OS to have consumed, needlessly, when a custom hosts file will do the same...
Introducing more ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION because it's another software running (OR WORSE, yet another machine locally)...
(Want more?)
APK
P.S.=> I've dealt with "points" like yours here & on many other sites, MANY times before - and this is just another time doing it is all... enjoy!
... apk