The Top 5 Worst Internet Annoyances

Oh the Internet. Has there ever been an invention so useful and beautiful as it? Obviously, we all use the Internet for more reasons than one. It has everything one needs! Shopping, ratings, information, time-killers, the Internet has it all! Despite these wonderful things, there are still some aspects of the Internet that make us gnash our teeth out of rage. You all know what I'm talking about, those tiny little things that drive you insane.

5. Youtube speech bubbles

remember when Youtube videos were exactly what they are broadcast as; videos? Yea, me neither. For some reason, one of the CEOs of Youtube decided it would be a bright idea to allow its users to upload speech bubbles into otherwise good videos. Now, I find it impossible to watch a video without getting spammed with these little boxes asking me to subscribe to the uploader or to visit his site! It wouldn't be so bad if these bubbles weren't blocking the video I'm trying to enjoy...

4. Websites without back and forward arrows

Do you ever get on a site and see something really interesting on the side of the screen? When you do, go ahead and click it, why not, you can always just click the back arrow to return to the previous screen right? Right?! Not the case in those bear traps of websites that don't allow you to return to the previous screen. Its made even worse if it was a diamond in the rough, a website that was truly fascinating, yet unknown. And now, due to the lack of the back arrow, your little treasure is lost forever.

3. CAPTCHAS

For those of you who don't know what CAPTCHAS are, I'm sure you have encountered them. They are the squiggly and indecipherable words you must enter so that the computer knows you are not a machine. Although they do serve a purpose, why must they be so difficult to read? Also, as if CAPTCHAS of real words wasn't enough, I started encountering random jumbles of letters that left me screaming out of frustration after my 14th attempt at deciphering them.

2. Pop-up adds

I think we can all agree that these things are the spawn of Satan. If you have never seen a pop-up add, you have probably never used the Internet. Well, if you haven't seen over a hundred pop-up adds you have probably never used the Internet. I understand that some sites need these things to produce revenue so that they don't have to be shut down, but why must pop-up adds be some terrible to deal with? I'm pretty sure my hatred of these things doesn't need to be explained. I especially hate those ninja pop-up adds. You know, the ones that show up out of nowhere when you try to click on something, and then all of a sudden you are finding out how you can claim your free Ipad. You add a loud, annoying voice, some blaring music, and some flashing lights, and you are truly in for a hellacious experience.

Now for the most annoying part of the Internet, I'm sure the suspense is killing you. But don't worry, because I'm never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down.

1. Rickrolling

Dear God. I honestly don't think that anything in this world has ever driven me crazier than the voice of Rick Astley. I'm sure at one point in time I might had been able to enjoy "Never Gonna Give You Up," but ever since the phenomena that erupted in 2008, I can't stand to even hear the words stranger and love in the same sentence. Granted, rickrolling has definitely slowed down in more recent years, but catching that one random video that still pulls of this torture brings back flashbacks from the dark years.

Is Prime Appealing Enough to Shutdown Netflix?

There are many Internet-based movie rental and TV series subscriptions available, which have become very popular in the last few years. Many people have noticed the closing of many movie rental stores, like Blockbuster. These closings are due to the more convenient way of receiving and watching movies or TV series; one of the most popular and well-known subscription services that has somewhat directly shut down movie rental stores is Netflix. Just as technology has changed so many things in the past decade, we are now seeing the effect that technology has on movie rentals.

Netflix allows subscribers to view movies and TV shows unlimitedly for $7.99 a month, or around $96 a year. People watch these rentals over the Internet on their TVs with a Play Station 3, Xbox, or Wii gaming system; viewers also have the option of streaming the rental on a computer. Another service that Netflix offers to subscribers is the unlimited rental DVDs that they mail to the subscriber for rental without due dates, and therefore no late fees; this service is $2 extra per month. Blu-ray is available on Netflix. In order to allow potential subscribers to try it before buying it, they allow a free 1-month subscription that entitles each Netflix service to be used.

Amazon has recently put out a product called Prime that allows unlimited, instant streaming of movies and TV shows. It is $79 a year. The videos are capable of being viewed on computers, TVs, Blu-ray players, and many other TVs that are able to connect to the Internet. HD is available for Prime. This membership has other benefits than just movies and TV shows for a cheap price per year; it entitles members to fast 2-day shipping on Amazon products. Prime, like Netflix, entitles potential members to a free 1-month trial.

There is not much of a difference between Netflix and Prime. Both services allow unlimited, instant streaming of movies and TV series, and both require Internet connectivity. The costs are slightly different, with Amazon’s Prime being $17 cheaper per year. It also gives members extra benefits, while Netflix services only include movies and TV series. Netflix has a wider library than Prime does, but both offer new releases, which is a common category of movie rentals. Neither service has commercials or ads in their videos, yet both services provide HD streaming.

An interesting topic is what will be the next big subscription service that beats out Netflix. Will it be Amazon’s Prime? There is much hype about Prime, but is there enough of a difference in it, including its extra benefits, to encourage people to subscribe to Prime instead of the so well known Netflix? And, is Prime appealing enough to draw Netflix subscribers away from Netflix and onto Prime?

Because there is such a small difference in Netflix and Prime, the best way to decide which subscription is right for each individual’s lifestyle is to try out the free trials on each of the services. Some households might not have the correct TV components to work with one service, and therefore the other service would be the right option for them. The movie and TV series may also be slightly different, therefore getting a feel for each of the libraries would be a great way to decide which service is a better personal fit.

Although Amazon’s Prime is not yet appealing enough to take over what Netflix has become, it has high potential to become the next “big thing.” Just as Netflix ended Blockbuster’s business, Prime may be the next Internet-based movie rental subscription that outruns the huge accomplishments of Netflix.