The company that so grossly misappropriates the image of one of history's greatest minds is something called "Tickle by Emode." I admit that the first time one of their unsolicited offers appeared on my screen, featuring a photo of Einstein puffing on his pipe, I was intrigued. The window offered the chance to take an online IQ test. I had always wanted to take such a test.
I took it. I found out that I'm not a genius. Thanks a pantload, Tickle by Emode.
Alas, the pop-up windows continue unabated. Tickle by Emode continues to push its IQ test, as well as its online Personals site. I am interested in neither.
Orbitz could offer $1 luxury hotel rooms equipped with nymphomaniacal supermodels and complimentary mini-bars in midtown Manhattan -- they will not get that dollar from me. I'm checking ESPN.com to find out about the latest hot-stove baseball activity -- what does that have to do with discount air fares? When I visit my travel agent, do I want somebody accosting me at the door to give me the latest sports scores?
And why in the hell would I want to download 4,000 "smileys" for my e-mail? I use my emoticons sparingly, and even then, I'm perfectly capable of making them myself, thanks. :) Besides, are there even close to 4,000 facial expressions that a person can make?
Cell-phone bargains. Ads featuring clips from the latest action flick, complete with gunfire and explosions. Porn-site come-ons. Credit-card promotions, home-equity loan pitches and "get out of debt" offers. Our government has finally placed legal restrictions on telemarketers -- I only pray that similar regulations on pop-up ads will be instituted in the near future.
What next: Will some geek wearing a sandwich board jump in front of your car while you're driving? "Of course you want soup -- you just didn't know it!" (At least in that case you'd have the option of running his ass over. There's not a court in the land that would convict you.)
FYI, my home page is set to My Way, a news and information page that is completely free of banner and pop-up ads. It comes equipped with the Google search engine, and lets me select the information I want and need at my fingertips (Top Stories, Sports, Entertainment, Dictionary, Calculator, TV Listings, etc.), while eliminating the material I don't. It is my cyber-sanctuary.
In summation I say this: Anyone who would purchase goods or services as the result of an Internet pop-up ad is no Einstein.
Try PopSwatter. It's free.
