MSN Beta

Microsoft has made their next version of MSN available in Beta - looks a bit like Yahoo! to me.. (don't try this in Firefox though)

Take it for a spin from:
http://beta.msn.com/

Gmail on the Go!

"Now you can access your Gmail messages from the web browser on your mobile phone or device. Read and reply to your Gmail messages any time, anywhere. "

Nice initiative by Google along with the POP3 offering everyone should be able to get their mail now. Wondering when we will start to see ads on our mobile phones? (PPC = Pay Per Call perhaps?)

Take it for a spin on your mobile by visiting:
http://m.gmail.com

or read more about it from:
http://www.google.com/glm/gmail

Block users with adblockers

Some browser add-ons and even some highly regarded software packages such as from Symantec has taken it upon themselves to block all advertising on websites that a user is visiting. Well knowing that most websites make their revenue exclusively from advertising - I consider this the same as copying a song or a video for example and not paying the royalty.

When you visit a website that is displaying banners you have to see the site the way they intend for it to show up - including banners - otherwise you are not "paying" the royalty. In our case using such software is a violation of our TOS

Having said that I totally empathize with visitors who are annoyed with some of the more creative ads that makes it nearly impossible to read the content or interact with the site - so a balance is needed in both ends - I am very much in favor of user control (ie mouse-over to interact with an ad).

So what is the solution?
Since there seem to be a market for adblockers - I guess sites could make an advert-free version (paid subscription or pay-per-view) and then simply block all users from reaching the content if they have adblocker software installed/activated.

Any comments or suggestions?

PDF version

We are pleased to announce that you can now download a PDF version of press releases and articles posted on AME Info for easy and convenient filing. Many of you have mentioned that printer-friendly versions and screenshots are not always convenient.

At the end of each story at the Article Options you will find a PDF link and that is all there is to it.