enmarene, I don't mind the sidebar ads, but pop ups and flashing ads are indeed, annoying. In fact, when a site uses that sort of advertisement, two things happen for me - I stop using that site, and I make note of who is advertising, so I don't buy their things. I find it very bothersome, and annoying. I appreciate very much that this is a free site for users, supported by advertising. Which is why we get to use Garden Web. But, there is a way to advertise that is not annoying and offensive to the site's users. I am very glad GW is monitoring their forum users' opinions, and have done away with those pop ups and flashing ads. Well done, GW. Patty S.

I hate to ADD to this thread...but clarification is in order: -First of all, this thread would be perfect for the Hot Topics Forum...but "it dont fit" in Hot Peppers or Hydroponics. -"Troll" is not a comment on one's appearance/stature/etc: In Internet terminology, a troll is someone who intentionally posts derogatory or otherwise inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community such as an online discussion forum to bait users into responding (Wikipedia) -Posting the identical off-topic message to multiple groups is typical troll behavior. I realize however, that Willard's intent may have been merely to rant, not to 'troll'. -The ads are indeed annoying and frustrating; but I have yet to see one that is "offensive". -If the ads annoy you...I agree with John...email the specific advertiser or gardenweb... --Don

oldhousegal, I commend you. I'd love to be living that way - as they say "every journey begins with a single step". I found a website created by a grad student from Singapore who is studying "food perceptions" of all things. This entire website is dedicated to unraveling the "great pine nut mystery" (don't you love the internet!). Here is a picture of pine nuts. "S" is apparently what you want. "A" is what you don't want. Similar in size.. posting another pic below which is a close up of "A". close up on PNS (pine nut syndrome) inducing pine nut Funny... Target house brand of pine nuts has only had one reported case of PNS but Trader Joe's has had 69 cases.... maybe I'm not ready to give up on Target yet (maybe I am still being naive to believe everything I read on the internet.... looks pretty credible to me though - will link the website below). Here is a link that might be useful: The Great Pine Nut Mystery

Question ... does ANYONE like, enjoy, or find the pop-ups to be at all useful? Has anyone ever clicked on one of the pop-ups to get further information from the advertiser? My guess is NO. I understand the need for advertising, but I hope to heck those who purchase the pop-up space are paying through the nose. As I scroll down a thread, there is tons of available white space in the margins for ads. Why are they not utilizing that space first? I guess if you can annoy the bejeebers out of your patrons and they keep coming back, there is not much incentive to accomodate their wishes. We get GW for free, but we are going to pay in other ways.