Skype To Feature Giant Ads

benfrog writes "Skype will be introducing a new 'feature' into calls for users don't have subscriptions or credit. Giant ads. They are actually calling them 'Conversation ads' because they hope the ads (as large as the picture of the person to whom you are speaking) will 'spark additional topics of conversation that are relevant to Skype users and highlight unique and local brand experiences.' The ads, of course, are tailored to each individual user, though there is an opt-out for that."

A recent conversation

[Anonymous Coward]

What the fuck is up with this fucking ad and how the fuck do I get rid of it?

Can't Wait

[Phoenixlol]

"they hope the ads (as large as the picture of the person to whom you are speaking) will 'spark additional topics of conversation that are relevant to Skype users and highlight unique and local brand experiences" Hey, Grandma, what do you think of hot singles near me?

Marketing....

[Sparticus789]

Marketing department: They are not ads, they are conversation starters. Therefore you should read every one, click on them, purchase something from the site, then talk to your friend on Skype about how great they are!

monty python did it first

[fche]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkp7f8IxJNU [youtube.com]

Re:Can't Wait

[CanHasDIY]

"Mommy, why do I always see Valtrex ads when I call daddy during his business trips?"

Re:A recent conversation

[PeanutButterBreath]

- What? What ad are you seeing?
- Its some damned ad for. . . [cash register sound effect]

See, This Shit is Why

[CanHasDIY]

The Prophet consistently referred to those in marketing as "the biggest suckers of Satan's cock"

By the way if anyone here is in advertising or marketing kill yourself.

No, no, no it’s just a little thought. I’m just trying to plant seeds. Maybe one day, they’ll take root – I don’t know. You try, you do what you can. Kill yourself.

Seriously though, if you are, do.

Aaah, no really, there’s no rationalisation for what you do and you are Satan’s little helpers. Okay – kill yourself – seriously. You are the ruiner of all things good, seriously. No this is not a joke, you’re going, “there’s going to be a joke coming,” there’s no fucking joke coming. You are Satan’s spawn filling the world with bile and garbage. You are fucked and you are fucking us. Kill yourself. It’s the only way to save your fucking soul, kill yourself.

Planting seeds. I know all the marketing people are going, “he’s doing a joke” there’s no joke here whatsoever. Suck a tail-pipe, fucking hang yourself, borrow a gun from a Yank friend – I don’t care how you do it. Rid the world of your evil fucking makinations. Machi Whatever, you know what I mean.

I know what all the marketing people are thinking right now too, “Oh, you know what Bill’s doing, he’s going for that anti-marketing dollar. That’s a good market, he’s very smart.”

Oh man, I am not doing that. You fucking evil scumbags!

“Ooh, you know what Bill’s doing now, he’s going for the righteous indignation dollar. That’s a big dollar. A lot of people are feeling that indignation. We’ve done research – huge market. He’s doing a good thing.”

Godammit, I’m not doing that, you scum-bags! Quit putting a godamm dollar sign on every fucking thing on this planet!

“Ooh, the anger dollar. Huge. Huge in times of recession. Giant market, Bill’s very bright to do that.”

God, I’m just caught in a fucking web.

“Ooh the trapped dollar, big dollar, huge dollar. Good market – look at our research. We see that many people feel trapped. If we play to that and then separate them into the trapped dollar”

How do you live like that? And I bet you sleep like fucking babies at night, don’t you?

“What didya do today honey?”

“Oh, we made ah, we made ah arsenic a childhood food now, goodnight.” [snores] “Yeah we just said you know is your baby really too loud? You know?” [snores] “Yeah, you know the mums will love it.” [snores]

Sleep like fucking children, don’t ya, this is your world isn’t it?

- Bill Hicks, 1961-1992

Thank $deity Bill isn't around to see this shit...

Re:time for some serious ekiga development...

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't worry, the Linux version won't have these ads. It won't be updated for that.

Also, MS didn't abandon the Linux version. Skype did it loooong before.

Re:Ad Muncher blocks skype ads.

[MrHanky]

It didn't block your comment, though.

Re:Can't Wait

[Genda]

Because he was able to block the Cialis ads...

Re:Can't Wait

[kpainter]

This is slashdot. There won't be hot singles ads flashing up on the folks that hang out here. There will be ads for "Fleshlight" popping up.

Re:Can't Wait

[cpu6502]

I'm afraid to ask:
- What's a "flesh" light? Some kind of glowing clit ring?

Re:Can't Wait

[__aaeihw9960]

God I hope you're joking. If you are not, welcome to the internet; wondrous sights await you!

Re:A recent conversation about closed standards

[bryan1945]

Yeah, that will be so easy for my family and friends to figure out how to implement. Maybe I should just dig a dedicate landline to all their houses while I'm at it.

Re:Can't Wait

[Anonymous Coward]

Obligatory xkcd [xkcd.com]

Also remember, that which has been seen cannot be unseen.

Re:Can't Wait

[bryan1945]

He's too busy configuring his 30 Linux boxes to actually do anything useful.

Re:It's like they're reading my mind

[Tough Love]

What's more fascinating than discussing ads?

Squirting a Zune track?

Re:Ad Muncher blocks skype ads.

[TranquilVoid]

Exactly, that's I love and recommend Linux. It's open source so Linux is trustworthy. It even comes with a 'true' program.

Linux, for all your software needs.

Re:Can't Wait

[kaladorn]

Narcissism is optional.