I would say the people defining an accepted practice are the people paying the bills. If the company wanted it, the technical person made it so they would get paid. I would admit it was probably the technical people who finally convinced the majority to abandon them. Plus the fact that over time they could see that the idea was failing them, much like you point out. But until that moment it was accepted practice among major websites. The fact you remember them so vividly in your dislike of them almost proves my point.

But alas, I agree, they were a total waste of time. As I said, the people who pay the bills don't always listen to the people that they should listen to.