Terra/Lycos Free site hosts Hurting?

Popups and unsolicited E-mailings.

[Brad]

Geocities got all the press coverage when they cut back on services to free hosting sites. But my understanding is that both Tripod and Angelfire free hosts, which are owned by Lycos, have also cut back on features available for free.

They have also sprouted large popups (Orbitz).

Long ago I started out with a site on Tripod -- the site has been dead for years. But now Tripod has dusted off the old members mailing list and is sending out service announcements and today I got an advertisement email all of a sudden. I have not heard from them in over two three years!

My point being, that based on my own experience, these are generally warning signs of desperation - especially considering the Bertalsmann - Terra/Lycos advertising deal.

Canary in the coal mine? Anyone else picking up signals?

[heini]

>warning signs of desperation
Very well possible. The possible cut back of Bertelsmanns advertising spree would hurt the whole group severely.
Also it could be related to the new paid community hosting services
http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum6/861.htm [webmasterworld.com]