As a rule of thumb, I despise animated advertisements on web pages, constantly trying to draw your attention by distracting you. The only exception to this rule is Apple’s series of dual-banner flash advertisements that have been popping up all over the web for the past several months.
If you’re trying to read something, they are just as annoying as any other animated banner (and maybe even more so), but at least they serve as an entertaining distraction.
The latest one, last spotted on a ZDNet blog, follows the same pattern with a horizontal banner above proudly displaying a choice quote from CNET.com, “Vista… one of the biggest blunders in technology”, and a flustered PC trying to set it right with the help of humankind’s next major invention, the Emergency Banner Refresh switch.
If you are a fan of the John Hodgman and Justin Long duo, this one has all the right ingredients to make you a happy camper. Did someone else note, however, that Justin Long seems to be doing pretty much nothing in the more recent “Get a Mac” ads, in both the web and television versions?
[Via MacDailyNews]
Amusingly, I found it a little hard to read this story due to the big flashing HP ad on the other side of my browser window.
You should check www.nalden.net for an example of good bannering. (Background sponsorship)
^^ touché!
Flash? Apple's using Flash?!?
I thought Steve Jobs said wasn't good enough for Apple's products? ;)
Anyway, I love these ads. You're going to get hit by ads anyway, they might as well be entertaining. (Of course, you won't see them at all if you're browsing using an iPhone or a Touch.)
^^Flash? Apple's using Flash?!?
I wondered why I hadn't seen these snarky and amusing ads yet, then it occurred to me that I wasn't seeing *any* ads! :P
Firefox + Adblock Plus + Flashblock = web surfing nirvana. ;)