Ads plugin: New lists and related info

**cosmos** · #1 09-12-2001, 12:59 AM

The following Outpost block lists are ports of Eric Howes' AGNIS block list for AtGuard and NIS, available to Outpost users with Eric Howes' permission. Keep up the excellent work Eric

WARNING: For the time being and for all ads lists, EXCEPT the Outpost default (integrated) one, the following should be considered BEFORE proceeding to import them:

These lists are not provided by Agnitum. One of the consequences of this is that problems encountered, using an imported list, should/are not considered Outpost bugs. See below for further info.
Imported lists are provided as-is. By importing them you agree that if possible problems/damages arise then neither Agnitum nor the list's author/maintener/provider will be held responsible.
Since problems associated with imported list are not considered as bugs, refrain from posting in the Outpost Bug reports forum.
Finally, have a look at the Ad Blocking Trick Outpost FAQ

Having a look at AGNIS http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/), I found out that there are actually two lists:
- A basic one (a.k.a. AGNIS Lite) containing 600+ rules and
- An extended one containing 1200+ rules.

EDIT: The latter one was initally ported from AGNIS to Outpost format kindly by Watchman.

How do the two lists differ? Well, the extended one is much more complete, however it may produce some unnecessary blocking, according to the original AGNIS documentation.

In any case and for all would-be-AGNIS-editors out there, I've compiled some stuff into the attached zip file. These are:
ag-lite.ctl Basic ad list for Outpost, based on the original AGNIS one
ag-ads.ctl Extended ad list for Oupost, based on the original AGNIS one

Importing any list into Outpost is a simple affair. Just have a look at the relevant Outpost Forum thread (http://www.outpostfirewall.com/forum...hlight=adblock).

Finally, note that updated lists will be available in this Forum thread from time to time. Just browse to the end of this thread to download the latest version.

Have fun!

**sig** · #2 09-12-2001, 07:59 AM

Well, I might as well throw mine in. This is my personal list. I don't know how effective some of the entries are because it's tough determining just what Outpost wants to see or how it relates.

So, this is the main ehowes list minus the "not for everyone" section. Then I added the non redundant entries from my DNSKong list. There's also a few that I've added in my surfing that are mostly specific to a certain site. I've also deleted some of the default entries because I think they're either stupid or they interfere with needed functions.

If anyone wants to give it a try don't go crazy editing out what might seem to be redundancies - near as I can figure there shouldn't be many and a lot that might seem so really aren't because of the way Outpost reads them.

Oh, if you open the ctl in a text editor, my additions and the Kong additions are at the top, you'll see them. The little group at the very top isn't labeled by site (they're site specific) but it's easy to figure out by viewing the log if something gives you trouble.

Hey Cosmo, if you get the time, I wouldn't mind knowing how many entries there are on the thing

**sig** · #3 09-12-2001, 08:01 AM

Hmm, it looks like if you preview your post you lose the attachment? Let's try again.

**cosmos** · #4 09-12-2001, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sig
Hey Cosmo, if you get the time, I wouldn't mind knowing how many entries there are on the thing

1428 rules, after duplicates elimination. Post-processed file is attached

**Mikhail** · #5 09-13-2001, 08:54 PM

Compiling of adblock list is rather complicated task becuase adding one string can cause many web sites work incorrectly. We are not planning to change adblock that comes with Outpost right now (official) but we have nothing against if people install unofficial adblock lists.

**sig** · #6 09-14-2001, 10:17 AM

Cosmos, got it. Thanks

Yaggy · #7 09-14-2001, 11:15 AM

I have tried a few third party ad block list and found i was constantly removing entries due to sites and some content being blocked (not ads)
I went back to the default and for the most part everything is good.

I also use Proxomitron along with Outpost and i get hardly any ads, banners or pop ups.

The third party ad block lists are great if you spend the time removing the entries you do not want.

**cosmos** · #8 09-24-2001, 08:06 PM

New AGNIS-derived ad-blocking lists are available, dated September 16th, 2001. Differences with respect to the original file at the top of the same thread:

1. ag-lite.ctl (624 ban keywords): Added new ban keywords

ezula.com
remotead.
spedia.com
spedia.net
surfsafari.com

2. ag-ads.ctl (1243 ban keywords): Added new ban keywords

2o7.net
confirmto.com
ezula.com
gserv-cnet.cnet.com
hdtworld.com
questionmarket.com
remotead.
spedia.com
spedia.net
surfsafari.com
t2t2.com
topstat.com
webcreditreport.com
weblogger.com02.com

**Watchman** · #9 09-25-2001, 09:36 AM

Thanks cosmos.......nice

**Lithp** · #10 09-25-2001, 09:44 AM

I agree thx Cos...

**cosmos** · #11 09-25-2001, 08:38 PM

Thanks <blush>! Unfortunately, I am not aware of what should/could be done from now on. If case-insensitive searches are performed then converting AGNIS into the Outpost format is questionable (see Extented adblockin block too much). In your opinion, which of the following should be done?

take generally useful (?) lists and then start removing entries
take generally useful (?) lists and then provide them to the users, without modifications, possibly stating that problems like this and that might appear and the solution is to do this and that
Kill this entire thread and references to ad-blocking lists, in order to prevent user confusion and flooding by "the ad list is not working properly" messages. If Outpost changes to case-sensitive searches, the thread could be brought to the public again.

What is especially taken into consideration here is the fact that the extended lists are not an Agnitum product. This means that overhead for the forum is generated in the form of trouble reports, which consume time for Mikhail and the moderators, distracting them possibly from more important issues. Therefore, and with regret, I am inclined towards the third solution for the now...

**Mikhail** · #12 09-26-2001, 07:42 PM

I am voting for "take generally useful (?) lists and then start removing entries"

**cosmos** · #13 09-26-2001, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mikhail
I am voting for "take generally useful (?) lists and then start removing entries"

Only one vote so far? These elections are a joke

Mikhail, you understand that you may be opening Pandora's box here, but your opinion (as well as of the other moderators/admins) counts most on this issue. The ads lists will be modified to remove only the two offending keywords (AdID= and /profile.) for this forum. I will provide a new post on the same thread to provide (yet another) ads file. Cheers!

And now, a word from our sponsors: please don't think of me as an ad-list maintener. It all depends upon my 1) mood (matches the Greek weather: generally good, but then it has its ups and downs from time to time), 2) available time (ditto)

**Watchman** · #14 09-26-2001, 08:09 PM

Wonderful!
Of course I block everything anyway so I will continue to use updated lists where ever I find good ones.
If people download lists and then can't manage them perhaps they should stick to the excellent list Outpost provides.

Mikhail.....
Great answer to cosmos...
I am voting for "take generally useful (?) lists and then start removing entries".
Your pretty cool

**cosmos** · #15 09-26-2001, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Watchman
Mikhail.....
Great answer to cosmos...
I am voting for "take generally useful (?) lists and then start removing entries".
Your pretty cool

Mikhail - cosmos: 1-0

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