MacDailyNews reader “Fred Mertz” is a prolific article submitter. So much so, that he recently hit the milestone of his 500th published article submission to MacDailyNews.
We’re very fortunate to have quite a few prolific submitters to whom we say “Thank you!” Some other big names you’ll recognize: “James W.,” Edward W.,” “Lynn W.” (the W’s are prolific, aren’t they?), “Judge Bork,” “Brawndo Drinker,” “JES42,” “Carl H.,” “cptnkirk,” “Jersey_Trader,” “Jim – TIV,” “TheMightyFinder,” and many, many others including some who wish to remain nameless (you guys and gals know who you are, thanks!). Again, thank you to everyone who sends us links, whether it’s one here and there or twenty per day!
MacDailyNews Note: Readers can submit links to articles they’d like to see on MacDailyNews via email. There’s a link at the bottom of every article (Send us links! Email: webmaster@macdailynews.com) or you can click or tap “contact” on the yellow menu above (classic site only). MacDailyNews App users can use the app’s “Submit” button. (We’re fixing the pre-filled Subject line to read “Article Submission” in version 2.1.1 which is pending Apple’s approval.)
Before we continue on with Mr. Mertz, we’d like to note that Mobile Safari users who visit MacDailyNews now have font-sizing control (look for the “Font+” or “Font-” link at the bottom of the home page. Font-sizing control works for both the Mobile Version and Classic Version of the site for Mobile Safari users and it also remembers your last font size setting.
Now, on the occasion of his 500th published article, we thanked Fred via email and asked if there was anything we could do for him. “Yes,” he responded. “Can you please turn off the pop-under ads?”
MacDailyNews Take: Done.
[UPDATE: 1:05pm EDT: Pop-under ads are removed forever, unless the very existence of the site is threatened, in which case all bets are off. Yes, we will definitely take a revenue hit from this initially, but we hope that the improved experience will eventually increase traffic which will help to offset the negative impact to some degree. Thank you in advance for patronizing our sponsors via the other ads on the site without whom we could not exist.]
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.] 
Way to go Fred. Ethel would be proud of you.
You track this stuff? If I’d have known that…
“MacDailyNews Take: Done.”
THANK YOU. I’d had all the Britney news I could take.
No more pop-under ads YAY!
Amen. Thank you Fred M & thank you MDN!
Thank you! Thank you! The pop-unders are the worst advertising practice ever devised. Thank you MDN for final taking the higher road!!!
And thanks Fred Mertz for making this your wish.
Fred keeps MDN going
THANK YOU!!! for turning off the pop-under ads!!!! Especially those that start playing video. I almost got fired when one started playing as my boss walked by!!! NOT COOL MDN!
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Epic, simply epic.
Good job ole chap, good job.
Thank you for stopping the pop under ads!!!!
Thank you so much!!
Did I mention:
Thank you.
Holly S***! No more pop under?!
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Does it mean that if I submit 500 articles I can request to MDN to stop with the polarizing right-winged political articles and just focus on the Mac news??? How refreshing would that be?!
MDN…. Fred…. THANK YOU! Annoying ads I can live with. Pop unders make me want to throw a computer (preferably the work PC haha).
I read only two Mac sites : the finely drafted MacDaily News for what’s going on day after day in the Mac world, and a roughly drafted Magazine for detailed analysis. The former is more fun, though.
Dear Fred Mertz (and MDN),
Thanks for making MDN such a fun read! A virtual beer to you sir for your request to MDN. This makes the site much better!
Halleujah!!! The freakin’ pop-ups are dead!
@MDN
Done as in finished, kaput, gone, NO MORE?
Or done as is for today, just when someone hit 500, just until Gamefly offers more cash (which I couldn’t blame ya’)?
ChrissyOne:
How about just doing for the sake of it rather than calculating and keeping score…?
Thank you Mr. Mertz. Your news scoops are so fresh, sometimes I wonder if you have a secret hotline to Mr. Steve himself! Much appreciated. (as ever)
Thank you also for requesting to turn off pop unders. Uninterupted stories are so clean to read.
.:.
So Fred, what did you do BEFORE you became a full-time Apple news hound?
And thanks.
Thank you, thank you, thank you… MDN and “Fred”!!!
I actually had to BLOCK gamefly’s domain in my hosts file, because the MDN popunder was going to that site exclusively… I mean, 100% of the time, every time. Each time, I wouldn’t notice it, it wouldn’t be long and the fans would spool up on my MBP, I’d have to go find the window, close it, and then the fans would spool back down.
aka Christian:
Invest…
Not once have any of my submissions been noted. Here’s why: There are so many kewl people here who beat me to it! Thank you to EVERYONE!
This place can be a big fat PITA, but it still remains the best place to pickup current Apple news and snarky commentary.
@ breeze