They are spying on us!
No I haven't noticed, I try not to read the ads.

I finally switched to FireFox with the Ad Block Plus add on. I have ZERO adds here - and pages load so much faster!

If you ever see an ad with FF all you have to do is right click on it and at the bottom of the menu click on add filter. You can even right click on the photo at the top of the page and stop it from loading. One forum I visit has a very large photo at the top and I filter it. Seems to load faster and less scrolling down to get to the threads.

I posted this over on computer help some may want to do this to help stop some of the tracking ads.

Opt-Out of being tracked online
this was mentioned on Kim Komando, with one click there you can opt out of a LOT of the online tracking advertisers, about as easy as it gets, does not cover all but many. Re-do it from time to time or if you happen to clear your cache & cookies.
This is the info from the site
"Online privacy is one of the hottest topics today. Whether it is how tracking companies gather and use your information or protecting your rights and freedoms. SelectOut is here to help enlighten internet users about their choices, the companies that are behind data online, and give users the options choose for themselves.

With large pushes for legislation to regulate the online advertising and tracking industry, many companies are working to become more transparent and user friendly before anything is forced. This is a positive thing for users and SelectOut is working to organize and collect this information while providing options such as the Consumer Opt-Out."

link to Kim's article
4/21/2011 Opt-out of online tracking

I've trained myself not to look at ads, and to X them closed when necessary.

No ads with Opera & content blocker. Here too you can block pictures if you want.

BTW, if you use the opt-out link, be sure you use it on all of your browsers and be sure your browser is set to accept 3rd party cookies.

The ads at the bottom of the thread are the least offensive to me I dont see them unless I scroll down

WOW, when I opted out on FF and IE, FF was much faster Opting than IE. I put the opt out site on my bookmarks tool bar for quick access.

Cynic, thanks for mentioning 3rd party cookies I had it set to NOT accept.