That worked, actually, until TODAY, 9.16.2009
Today I logged on, and the Mall Cop ad is front-and-center, occupying a large space heretofore only used for Gaia promotions (like the GGR ad that was there for the past few weeks). Oh and there's a little cartoon Blart running around the top. These things are TROUBLING given the above, but TOLERABLE.
The full-motion, live-sound embedded trailer is NOT TOLERABLE. Nor do I find it acceptable. In fact, I PROTEST. To Wit:
I have no problem with being able to click to watch a trailer from a sponsor; that's nothing new, and it is even welcome.
I have no problem with off-site advertising forcing its' way onto the screen, even after I pay for the site. Well, a maybe a little problem, but I can deal with that if I must.
HOWEVER, I DO have a problem with off-site video advertising playing AUTOMATICALLY.
* it is intrusive. Way more than silent banner ads, or even silent motion movies
* it is LOUD. If I'm in a library or other place where this is inappropriate, I have to respond to turn it off AFTER the damage (disruption) has already happened. This violates a long on-line tradition shared by legitimate on-line advertisers industrywide, not just on Gaia; it has long been the case that only SLEAZY ads play audio without PERMISSION.
* It is REPETITIVE. Go ahead, Gaia, review your logs and see how often I hit the Gaia home page each week. I may (or may not) want to watch any given movie trailer, but I do NOT want to watch it 30 TIMES A WEEK.
I will use Gaia less as long as this practice is in place. I will encourage others to speak up about it. I will speak loudly and often about it as long as I am on the site.
This development is NOT OKAY with me, FWIW. You've gone too far. Seriously, with this development Gaia's site advertising crosses the line into the sleazy, inappropriate, and debilitating. If this is the new norm, I'll phase out of Gaia; I'm NOT taking it.
David F., aka "Gander4u" mad
