talkmagic.co.uk

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.

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

PS Don't click on it.

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.

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

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

Charles...

Only EVER click links you trust anyway.

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

VISIT MY ONLINE PHARMACY STORE CLICK HERE

http://www.oakdoors.co.uk/

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.

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

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'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.

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.

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