I was watching a documentary about the rise of search engines and how they (Yahoo, then Google) went from small scale hobbies to the giants they are today simply by introducing banner adverts. The revenue they generate each year runs into hundreds of million ££.

It got me thinking, who's clicking on all these adverts ?

I can honestly say that in over 25 years of internetting I have never, not once, clicked on any banner, popup or any other type of advertising on any web page at all. It's not that they haven't offered anything I want, but if I want a printer, holiday, penis enlargement pills I go and search specifically for it. I wouldn't buy because it was on a banner advert.

Have you ever clicked a banner advert, do you do it frequently, and have you made a purchase as a result of clicking that ad. ?

I clicked on an ad for an (as is turned out) wildly overpriced Intel PC case and it's been stalking me ever since at work where tenfourfox inconveniently does not support extensions such as ad block.

GreyHair was over at my place the other day, casually browsing thermal underwear on Little Blue, and now every other page I visit is thrusting big grey knickers in my face.

I may have clicked on one or two, but I don't recall making a purchase directly as a result. I certainly don't click on them habitually.

It's odd, but recently I've been trialling antivirus software, and the software that I have installed is the one that seems to be placed on the pages that I visit. First it was F-secure, then Kapersky, not I'm getting NOD32 ads. Curious.

I'm also quite fed up with those bloody ads for photo smoothing software. I can't imagine why they think I'd want that. <looks at self>. Oh :(

you love it really

I know some or all of the Google adsense ads that appear on pages have an X you can click to hide or get rid of that ad.

What usually annoys me is ads coming up for something I've just bought. Usually for a higher price but it's still completely pointless.

It is somewhat disturbing that ads on websites know what you've been looking at even when you understand the processes behind it.

I got some pyjamas for the missus for Christmas, and now every ad is geared towards lingerie and shows ladies in their underwear. :) It is the same site that I'd ordered from though, so the prices are the same.

Just keep telling your wife that and she'll never suspect! ;)

Mostly any attempt to view ladies in their undercrackers meets with scorn and more than a little anger.

I have recently had a new infatuation with a famous person. My old flame for Nicole Kidman is out and Amy Adams is in. The wife (being ginger) grudgingly approves.

Amy Adams? Seriously?

You could at least have opted for Isla Fisher who, while being somewhat auburn in some light, is at least attractive.

I have yet to see any of her films, but yes.  :-Y

A google image search is certainly weighted to show her in her best light, which while being meretricious, is easy on the eyes.

To be fair, I'll go for anything that is mainly hairless and has good calves.  :-&

There you go. Get yourself a bottle of Nair and tonight could be your lucky night!

I thought Manthorp got lucky every night, what with everything he's got holed up in his cellar.

Wait... what are you suggesting?  :-O

You mean he's really Austrian?

Sounds like a product endorsement to me...

I'd be willing to try it if it works.

Could be, could be.

Does he like lederhosen?

We need some documentary photos of a hairless bastard.

Ant?
Nah... Even though he's less hairy than most, he's not a bastard.