Obscured URLs

Ideas for improvement? Please let us know here! Not everything is possible but we'll consider all suggestions.

Moderators: nickj, Lady of Mystery, Mandrake, bananafish, support

Best prices around! Manufacturer of modern & unique magic apparatus! Visit Magicbox for all the latest and best effects! Playing Cards for Magicians UK's Online Magic Tricks and Jokes Shop offers kids and beginner magic tricks and jokes. Aeternum Servare Secreta

Obscured URLs

Postby Charles Calthrop » May 14th, '07, 14:30



When someone includes a URL in their post I find it very frustrating that the URL which appears in the status bar when it's hovered over seems to be a deliberately obfuscated one. The URL seems to have been mangled by the forum. Why is this? Can it please be stopped? I won't click on a link unless I know what it is.

I'm sure there was a time when the forum software didn't do this.

What you call heroism is just an expression of this fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots
User avatar
Charles Calthrop
Senior Member
 
Posts: 545
Joined: Nov 14th, '03, 11:12
Location: Paris(38:AH)

Postby Charles Calthrop » May 14th, '07, 14:31

To make my point, here's a nice link for you: Disney Homepage.

PS Don't click on it.

What you call heroism is just an expression of this fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots
User avatar
Charles Calthrop
Senior Member
 
Posts: 545
Joined: Nov 14th, '03, 11:12
Location: Paris(38:AH)

Re: Obscured URLs

Postby seige » May 14th, '07, 14:32

Charles Calthrop wrote:When someone includes a URL in their post I find it very frustrating that the URL which appears in the status bar when it's hovered over seems to be a deliberately obfuscated one. The URL seems to have been mangled by the forum. Why is this? Can it please be stopped? I won't click on a link unless I know what it is.

I'm sure there was a time when the forum software didn't do this.


This measure is there for several reasons.

Primarily, it stops spammers from using and diluting the TM forum's good reputation and high SEO rankings by adding links to other sites.

Spammers are currently marauding forums and blogs. This is a deterrant.

And it works VERY well.

User avatar
seige
.
 
Posts: 6830
Joined: Apr 22nd, '03, 10:01
Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Postby Charles Calthrop » May 14th, '07, 14:37

Otoh, I don't know what I'm clicking on until it pops up in my browser.

What you call heroism is just an expression of this fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots
User avatar
Charles Calthrop
Senior Member
 
Posts: 545
Joined: Nov 14th, '03, 11:12
Location: Paris(38:AH)

Postby Charles Calthrop » May 14th, '07, 14:39

Actually seige, the link in your signature seems to be an exception; it doesn't get mangled. Why is that?

What you call heroism is just an expression of this fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots
User avatar
Charles Calthrop
Senior Member
 
Posts: 545
Joined: Nov 14th, '03, 11:12
Location: Paris(38:AH)

Postby seige » May 14th, '07, 14:41

Charles...

Only EVER click links you trust anyway.

Usually, a URL isn't masked... i.e.





Now... which of these would you be suspicious about clicking?

My signature's URL is unlocked because I am a TM advertiser, and get priviledge points. All TM advertisers, ergo , paying sponsors, get this priviledge.

User avatar
seige
.
 
Posts: 6830
Joined: Apr 22nd, '03, 10:01
Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Postby Mandrake » May 14th, '07, 14:51

If you click 'Quote' you'll see the URL in full.

User avatar
Mandrake
'
 
Posts: 27494
Joined: Apr 20th, '03, 21:00
Location: UK (74:AH)

Postby Charles Calthrop » May 14th, '07, 14:51

Not sure if you think I was trying to irritate you, but I was only curious about your sig, not getting snotty. Thumbs-up to all TM advertisers, as you keep the place going.

From experience I'm suspicious about clicking on most links. My point is that if I can't see for myself where a link is going to take me I can't trust it.

Edit: Good spot, Mandrake. Thanks.

What you call heroism is just an expression of this fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots
User avatar
Charles Calthrop
Senior Member
 
Posts: 545
Joined: Nov 14th, '03, 11:12
Location: Paris(38:AH)

Postby Mandrake » May 14th, '07, 14:54

I'm equally suspicious Charles and usually with good reason - there's all sorts of crud laid in these traps and warped minds out there galore.

User avatar
Mandrake
'
 
Posts: 27494
Joined: Apr 20th, '03, 21:00
Location: UK (74:AH)

Postby seige » May 14th, '07, 14:56

Charles Calthrop wrote:Not sure if you think I was trying to irritate you, but I was only curious about your sig, not getting snotty. Thumbs-up to all TM advertisers, as you keep the place going.

From experience I'm suspicious about clicking on most links. My point is that if I can't see for myself where a link is going to take me I can't trust it.

Edit: Good spot, Mandrake. Thanks.


I didn't think you were being snotty. It was a very valid question.

User avatar
seige
.
 
Posts: 6830
Joined: Apr 22nd, '03, 10:01
Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Postby Charles Calthrop » May 14th, '07, 15:03

It's just another manifestation of my paranoia then!
Thanks.

What you call heroism is just an expression of this fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots
User avatar
Charles Calthrop
Senior Member
 
Posts: 545
Joined: Nov 14th, '03, 11:12
Location: Paris(38:AH)


Return to Forum requests

MagicWorld Magic Shop for Magic Tricks A web site set up to sell my book, THE STRIPPER DECK, and future magical/mentalism titles. Best prices around! World-Of-Magic, Suppliers of quality Magic Worldwide Web Design for Magicians Sorcery Shop - Home of the ITR Dude That's Cool Magic

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests