GNOME's Web Browser Enables AdBlock & Do-Not-Track By Default
Michael Catanzaro of Igalia modified the Epiphany browser today to enable AdBlock by default. He reportedly did this on the basis that it's been a while since their ad-blocker has blocked any non-ads.
He also activated DNT headers by default. "Argument in favor: The do-not-track header should be sent by default. Otherwise, setting the header makes it easier to track you (since fewer users will change the setting than leave it unchanged). It's hard to understate how silly this is."
Phoronix, as it's meant to be viewed.
Of course, many Phoronix readers will already know what I think about the enabling ad-block by default... So I'll just end now with this reminder: if you insist on viewing Phoronix with an ad-blocker enabled, please subscribe to Phoronix Premium where you'll get the site's content without any ads and the added benefit of multi-page articles all appearing on a single page.
The funds generated go on to support the site and make future content possible. If you don't want to subscribe, at least think heavily about a PayPal tip or Bitcoin.
Phoronix is primarily made possible via advertisements and supplemented by these additional means of support; if it weren't for advertisements, Phoronix wouldn't be able to continue publishing hundreds of articles per month, carrying out many (often exclusive) Linux hardware tests that often involves purchasing hardware, continue running benchmarks on Linux hardware/drivers/distributions, continue the default of our open-source benchmarking software, etc. Due to the impact of ad-blockers, it's just me spending 100+ hour weeks and not some magical source of revenue and a full team of writers. If you view the site as supposed to and see any bogus or inappropriate ads appear, please report them to me so I can get them blocked individually.
For those arguing there should only be one or two ads per page, unfortunately -- and particularly for an open-source / Linux web-site -- it's really not sustainable. The Linux enthusiast market as targeted by most of our content is currently quite a small niche; most companies aren't specifically targeting "Linux enthusiasts" or "Linux gamers" considering the small market-share and thus often is only served by lower-paying ads that may not be entirely relevant compared to a site about Windows or Apple where most companies spend their advertising budgets. Thanks for your support.
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