Problems with Pop-up Windows in WebCT

Those annoying ads

PopUp blocking software is getting more and more popular these days. Many websites use popups to make money. These popups are quite annoying, so many people install programs that will block popups from opening. This seems like a great idea, but these programs often block useful javascripts too.

WebCT is an example of a beneficial implementation of Javascript. The quizzes you take, the mail and discussions you post to all use javascript the same way that popup ads do. When you have popup blocking software installed, you may not be able to access your quizzes, or class work.

What to do?

Many pop-up programs will let you temporarily disable them when using a PC by clicking on the System Tray Icon.(see images to the right) You can right click on them to disable and re-enable them later.

Some programs require that you remove them. Some of these programs, like E-Anthology/ Stop-Sign, are often installed by file sharing programs like Kaaza or Bear Share. You may want to remove them anyway, since they are using your system resources.

Remove the programs:

If you want to remove one of these programs instead of disabling it, you can remove it using Windows' Add/Remove Program tool. Here's how.

Click on the Start Button > Settings > Control Panels > Add/Remove Programs

Look for the name of the program installed (i.e. AdFilter)

Select the program name and click Remove

Follow any instructions you are given, then close the Control Panels

List of Programs:

Pop-up stopper
Stop-sign
E-Anthology Manager
AdsGone
PopUp Killer
ZapPop
BrowserBuddy
AD Popup Killer
No Popup
Pop-Up Defense
AdCutoff
NoAds
AdVice Popup Ad Eliminator
PopSmarts Popup Killer
Window Cleaner
Ad Fighter
AdDelete Lite
PopUpBuster
popup Go Away
AntiPop
AdPurger
plus many more....

Some Browsers Allow You to Suppress All Popups Except from Sites you Identify...

These browsers have the option to suppress all popup windows except from websites that you allow (i.e., webct). Note: if your browser has this capability, enter the UMass WebCT URL/address: (https://webct.oit.umass.edu/); so that popup windows will be enabled within your WebCT courses.

Netscape 7

Popup Window Controls let you suppress pop-up ads when browsing. In Preferences, double-click the Privacy & Security category and choose Popup Window Controls.

Mozilla

Removing Popups: Select Preferences... in the Edit menu. Then select Scripts & Windows in the Advanced category. Uncheck the checkbox Open unrequested windows.

Note that only "unrequested" windows are blocked. Clicking on a link that opens a document in a new window will work (this is what we want usually).