I sometimes think that the ad-infested web is not the same internet anymore. The one that we all came to know and love in the early nineties. I'm actually quite angry that there are no other ways to finance a popular non-profit website than putting ads on it.
In my opinion, this is the result of the lack of a decent micropayment solution.
One of my motivations for developing micropayment aggregators is helping to rid the web of ubiquitous ads. It's been sad enough to see beautiful European cities turned into mere backdrops for zillions of giant poster ads and movies turned into product-placement vehicles.
I'm not against advertising in general. I readily acknowledge that the purpose of some of the most beautiful things in life is sending a selling message (flowers, for example). But when advertising becomes a desperate measure to finance something created for totally different purpose, it is very irritating.