PEBKAC Ad(s?) Stealing The Cursor

[MartinLiss]

Brad and Joe, I've brought this up before and I bring it up again because I know I can't be the only one experiencing this. Quite often when I'm head's down, hunting and pecking at the keyboard I look up and in frustration find that I've been typing away in mid-air because a PEBKAC ad (the most recent example was PEBKAC #7) had stolen the cursor, and I have to retype all or part of what I thought I had already typed. Can anything be done about this?

[szlamany]

What browser are you using?

I've not had that happen - but I have had IE windows all shutdown expectedly recently for no obvious reason - and I believe I can be swayed to think it was PEBKAC ads.

I think it might have been a message about JAVA error - but I'll have to wait till it happens again to make sure.

[MartinLiss]

What browser are you using?

I've not had that happen - but I have had IE windows all shutdown expectedly recently for no obvious reason - and I believe I can be swayed to think it was PEBKAC ads.

I think it might have been a message about JAVA error - but I'll have to wait till it happens again to make sure.

IE 6.0.2900.2180 SP2. But please let's keep this thread to a discussion of cursor-stealing.

[penagate]

I've never had the problem, in any browser.

It's a Flash ad right? Maybe it is due to your Flash version?

[MartinLiss]

How do I tell?

[penagate]

Go to this page and it should say what version you have
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/about/

Mine says "You have version 8,0,24,0 installed".

[MartinLiss]

I had 8,0,22,0 and I just upgraded to the latest which for me is 9,0,28,0. Let's see if that helps.

[RhinoBull]

I had it happen quite often recently in both IE6 and IE7.

[RobDog888]

I have had it happen since the introduction of those ads. Happens under IE 6 and XP SP-2 and IE 7 Vista RTM.

[MartinLiss]

I just replying "so far so good after my upgrade of Flash" but guess what....?

[RhinoBull]

Go to this page and it should say what version you have
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/about/

Mine says "You have version 8,0,24,0 installed".

Mine is "9,0,28,0" which I think is most recent but I still get this...

[MartinLiss]

Mine is "9,0,28,0" which I think is most recent but I still get this...

Yes (Darn!!! just happened again PEBKac #4) that is the latest.

[RobDog888]

Which version is flash9b.ocx? That is what I am running.

Edit: Same version 9.0.28.0

[szlamany]

I have never experienced this problem.

My version is 8.0.22.0 - and as Marty already said the upgrade did not change the experience.

Do you have other IE windows open and minimized (and connected to VB forum) when this happens?

[MartinLiss]

I have never experienced this problem.

My version is 8.0.22.0 - and as Marty already said the upgrade did not change the experience.

Do you have other IE windows open and minimized (and connected to VB forum) when this happens?

No other windows at all.

[MartinLiss]

If it's not too much trouble I'd like to see the people who haven't experienced it record their vote. If you have already posted and you want me to manually add a "no" for you please PM me.

[szlamany]

Googling for:

flash ads take focus steal focus

finds links - here's one - try this and see if it changes the experience...

http://www.tweaktown.com/forums/arch...hp/t-3343.html

We could start comparing browser settings - I leave mine fairly strict and close to defaults...

[MartinLiss]

Googling for:

flash ads take focus steal focus

finds links - here's one - try this and see if it changes the experience...

http://www.tweaktown.com/forums/arch...hp/t-3343.html

We could start comparing browser settings - I leave mine fairly strict and close to defaults...

I'll give it a try. I doubt I've messed before with any of IE's settings.

[MartinLiss]

LOL, I tried it and I was just about to type "I hope that that's not the answer because it wipes out my Google Toolbar which I've come to depend on", but again as I was typing it grabbed my cursor, so back to square one.

[RhinoBull]

...Do you have other IE windows open and minimized (and connected to VB forum) when this happens?

I had that same idea and tried with only one window open but ... same story ... so I can confirm that it doesn't matter how many VBF instances are opened - it's the currently active that does.

[techgnome]

Since I use FireFox as my primary browser, I haven't had any issues with cursor stealing. In fact, PEBKAC #7 is currently running.... and nothing. Still have cursor.

-tg

[RhinoBull]

It doesn't happen all and every time - it's very inconsistent.

[MartinLiss]

It doesn't happen all and every time - it's very inconsistent.

That's my experience as well.

[RobDog888]

Also verify it happens with any number of windows or tabs open to vbf and very incosisntantly happens.

[brad jones]

Sorry for the slow response guys - I was out yesterday.

I'll run this issue by our ad people again. These ads are supplied by ad agencies so we'll have to contact them as well. Most sites don't have user input, so focus is not an issue. I'll bring the issue back to the right people again.

Brad!

[MartinLiss]

Sorry for the slow response guys - I was out yesterday.

I'll run this issue by our ad people again. These ads are supplied by ad agencies so we'll have to contact them as well. Most sites don't have user input, so focus is not an issue. I'll bring the issue back to the right people again.

Brad!

Thanks.

[brad jones]

I've been told the ads are removed and the agency notified that they need fixed.

Brad!

[RhinoBull]

That is a great news. Thanks Brad.

[MartinLiss]

I've been told the ads are removed and the agency notified that they need fixed.

Brad!

I'll consider that my Christmas bonus. Thanks!

[RhinoBull]

Believe it or not but this little fella has just stollen my cursor...

[brad jones]

With that score, you deserved to lose your cursor.....

being serious...
If this ad is still around after this week, we can see if we can get it fixed.

Brad

[RhinoBull]

Allright but I haven't seen it since that day... Thanks Brad.