I hate having to tell companies how to do their job properly.

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Does anyone recall the days when you could go into your college adviser, and they actually helped? They would sit down, and help you sift through the madness of the school system, and establish your schedule. Now, it's "go online, and do it yourself." Ok, so then what is YOUR job, and why is my tuition paying you? This stems from a recent exchange with an email provider I have used, for YEARS (we're talking pre-1998, over 10 years!). Originally, it was mailcity.com, before it was Lycos Email. Lycos also owns dual free web hosting services: angelfire and tripod. Been using them for years, as well. Granted, I don't use the Lycos search very often, but there are tons out there: Hotbot, Excite, Jayde, and so many others. So, here we have a long-time user, suggesting that the new ad system, that has maybe been in place a month, is a BAD idea. Once you click "log-in," there's a page with a video ad, and you have to click the log-in link. Otherwise, another video ad will download. I wrote, stating why this is a bad idea. Then, I get a reply "if you don't like, we suggest you upgrade to pay." Excuse the ---- out of YOU! You're a low-bit player, compared to Yahoo, Hotmail, and Gmail. I have alternatives! You need to convince me to STAY with you, and not take my business elsewhere! Here's my response: "For years, Lycos has had banner heading ads in the email. THAT is not the problem! They are unobtrusive. For example, right now, I'm looking at an ad for Ebay. IF I was in the market for what was being advertised, I would click the ad. Simple. What I am complaining about is the new placement of ads, that FORCE users to click away from them, before they can access their mail. This is counter-productive, because it circumvents normal mail access, takes up more consumer band-width--which is critical for individuals using public wi-fi, such as college students--as the video downloads, and the audio hijacks a computers speakers. Instead of interesting users in your ads, you are only alienating them, and will make users decide to use other free email services, that not only don't interfere with their email activity, but that the feedback will take their suggestions to heart. Listening to those who use your service is just good business. If the banner ads, which Lycos has been using for years, is no longer sufficient, then Lycos should consider target email marketing, where "3rd party sponsors" can send target emails to users. Or, if Lycos is really cleaver, they can release weekly newsletters, not only letting people know about what's happening, but also to include select "lycos business sponsors and partners" messages (ads). Just a thought." Seriously? It's like companies no longer know how (or care?) how to take a customer's suggestion into account, and pass it on to the higher ups. Which of course, is the consumer at whole's fault. As my friend Will said: "Yes, the person's going to complain, but will still buy it." That, in theory, is an idea behind a "free market." If a business doesn't perform to the interests of the buyers, then people buy elsewhere, and the business does a fast 180, or sinks. That, of course, is the theory. Reality is something else, and often, I find the majority of those I must deal with in reality, to be disappointing. Why would someone want to spend +50 years doing nothing with their life, other than illegal drugs? Maybe, because I've always had ambition to be more, and do more, that I don't relate. But then, I don't have to relate, if said individuals are going to be anal, and act like I'm being all "holier than thou." I have my thoughts, and offer you the chance to at least let me understand where you're coming from. I don't have to like/agree. We just need to understand the other's POV, and agree to respect that, and not to do what we do, to spite the other person. Otherwise, we become another pointless bunch of bickering ----, and waste time, and our lives. Make life happen, and get stuff done, and don't be a zombie!