Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ok. I realize that most of you probably do not use Safari and therefore don't have as severe problems with this new abomination that's been added to regular threads, but I'm sure everyone can agree that it is ******** terrible. Let me elucidate, in case you haven't experienced the full horror that is Gigya.

What it is is a widget that lives up at the top of each thread with the thumbs up/thumbs down rating section. If you are a Safari user, it pops up a new page automatically; if not, you need to click on the thing to pop up the new page. Obviously I hate it to death because of the popup EVERY THREAD, but even if it only appears when you click it, it's still vile: what it is is a site that purports to let you journal stuff you find on other sites, by asking you to login to that other site. That's right, it asks for your username and password. Then, presumably, you blog about whatever thread you were just reading. But it doesn't stop there! As various people have stated in SF already, the company that runs Gigya (based out of Israel, so NOT subject to US information sale laws) pretty much lays it out in the open that they sell your information.

Let's review.
You (possibly) get an annoying popup every single thread you enter.
If you are fool enough to use the feature on the popup, your login info is saved and then sold.
Oh yeah, and another thing - it also makes Safari crash from time to time. Fabulous. ******** nothing crashes this browser. What is this site, the steaming turds of Satan?

How was it not obvious to the Gaia mucketymucks in charge of this what a stunningly bad idea this was? I've seen some fairly cynical assessments of the situation (for example, that Gaia just wants people to advertise the site on their other sites, and they don't care how ******** up the method is as long as it gets them new wallets to open for MCs), and I don't know if I want to condemn them THAT harshly, but it's not made a secret that Gigya saves and resells information. What did Gaia THINK they were going to do?

???

I am utterly lost.

Firefox with adblock = no ad's, no popups, no nothing.


o.o;;;

QFE. P:

Just get firefox, it's the best and safest browser experience. 3nodding

I don't need to use Firefox (which I do have) because this sort of s**t never happens with Safari. Seriously I could count the number of times it's closed spontaneously on one hand, and I've had this computer for about 3 years now. And two of those times were last night from Gigya.

Anyway, they've fixed it so it no longer automatically opens the stupid window. That's fabulous. I still don't like the Gigya thing on principle, but not having it thrust in my face constantly is a huge plus. I mean, there are loads of features I don't like and don't use - tags, for one - but since they don't jump up and down and try to shove themselves down my throat, I can ignore them pretty easily.

I am still appalled by the thing, though. Gaia's swearing up and down that nobody's selling anything, but I bet you they just promised not to sell any GAIA login info. Their privacy policy on their site refers only to the passwords and security for their own webmail.

gigya sounds evil....muah ha ha ha ha*caugh* I mean bad gigya ninja

Gigya? Reminds me of a boss from Earthbound.

And popup ads? I have no idea what you're talking about.