detonator.dynamitedata.com

[VirtualLarry]

Is this something new on the AT site? See this thread

Or is there something on this PC I'm using? (Which, btw, is a different PC than I was using when I reported the pop-up ads. Which were caused by teh forums, there's nothing on that other machine.)

 

[Crono]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2115648&enterthread=y
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...&keyword1=dynamitedata

Looks like its auto referral links built into AT for certain vendors, so AT can get money from linked products you buy.
I've never noticed it before. Maybe a bug has messed up the system.

 

[newnameman]

Just noticed this...very annoying.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

This is low. At least be up front when you're marketing your users.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
This is low. At least be up front when you're marketing your users.

QFT

 

[DerekWilson]

we're still testing out this feature

the plan is to dynamically replace links to stores for which AnandTech has a referral account with our referral link to the same page.

it is currently causing some issues, and i'll let people know.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: DerekWilson
we're still testing out this feature

the plan is to dynamically replace links to stores for which AnandTech has a referral account with our referral link to the same page.

it is currently causing some issues, and i'll let people know.

If this doesn't go away, I more than likely will go away. I am NOT using anyone's referral links.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Ok, so it's not just me. I don't mind AT making some $$$ off of referral links, but only as long as the system works, and doesn't break links. Currently it doesn't seem to be working right.

SunnyD, would it be more appropriate to only replace links in the Hot Deals forum?

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Ok, so it's not just me. I don't mind AT making some $$$ off of referral links, but only as long as the system works, and doesn't break links. Currently it doesn't seem to be working right.

SunnyD, would it be more appropriate to only replace links in the Hot Deals forum?

I personally would think Hot Deals would be the WORST place to redirect links. I'm not taking any chances I'm getting hijacked especially in the HD forums.

With that said, I've taken it upon myself to write a little Greasemonkey script to "fix" this issue.

Here you go.

DISCLAIMER:
Install and/or use the linked script at YOUR OWN RISK. I will not be held liable for any damages to your computer/business/person/planet/solar system/galaxy/universe/et'al in any way/shape/form caused by use of this script.

 

[Gillbot]

I find it ironic that everyone here wants to defeat the source of income of this place. I mean, this site isn't free to operate and you don't pay a fee to be here. What does it hurt for a banner to be shown or a referral link to be used?

 

[Crusty]

I'm confused. I thought we were moving to VB? Why would there be active development on Fusecrap features then? Wouldn't everyone's time be better invested working on the VB transition?

 

[newnameman]

Originally posted by: Crusty
I'm confused. I thought we were moving to VB? Why would there be active development on Fusecrap features then? Wouldn't everyone's time be better invested working on the VB transition?

Maybe they're treating this forum like the beta now? Test new features here first and port them to VB.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: newnameman

Originally posted by: Crusty
I'm confused. I thought we were moving to VB? Why would there be active development on Fusecrap features then? Wouldn't everyone's time be better invested working on the VB transition?

Maybe they're treating this forum like the beta now? Test new features here first and port them to VB.

That would be horrifically inefficient given the two sites run on two completely different software stacks. I seriously hope that's not the case :Q

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: newnameman

Originally posted by: Crusty
I'm confused. I thought we were moving to VB? Why would there be active development on Fusecrap features then? Wouldn't everyone's time be better invested working on the VB transition?

Maybe they're treating this forum like the beta now? Test new features here first and port them to VB.

That would be horrifically inefficient given the two sites run on two completely different software stacks. I seriously hope that's not the case :Q

This particular change would be pretty straight forward to implement regardless of the software stack. It's a very simple thing to take a message on its way to the database, find links (probably before the link tag is parsed) and replace them with relevant referral links. This type of work is almost platform independent. It's so simple I'm actually amazed they managed to screw it up.

I don't have a problem with AT making money from advertising to it's users. What I have a problem with is them trying to sneak these referral links in without saying anything until they get called out on it. If the admins could just be more open about things like this then there wouldn't be any backlash, especially if they let people know that they're testing referral links and some links may be broken over the next few days. Simple thing to do.

Now if anyone wants to bypass these referral links, simply use a service like tinyURL, is.gd or bit.ly to shrink your URLs. These won't be parsed by the referral link algorithm.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: newnameman

Originally posted by: Crusty
I'm confused. I thought we were moving to VB? Why would there be active development on Fusecrap features then? Wouldn't everyone's time be better invested working on the VB transition?

Maybe they're treating this forum like the beta now? Test new features here first and port them to VB.

That would be horrifically inefficient given the two sites run on two completely different software stacks. I seriously hope that's not the case :Q

This particular change would be pretty straight forward to implement regardless of the software stack. It's a very simple thing to take a message on its way to the database, find links (probably before the link tag is parsed) and replace them with relevant referral links. This type of work is almost platform independent. It's so simple I'm actually amazed they managed to screw it up.

I don't have a problem with AT making money from advertising to it's users. What I have a problem with is them trying to sneak these referral links in without saying anything until they get called out on it. If the admins could just be more open about things like this then there wouldn't be any backlash, especially if they let people know that they're testing referral links and some links may be broken over the next few days. Simple thing to do.

Now if anyone wants to bypass these referral links, simply use a service like tinyURL, is.gd or bit.ly to shrink your URLs. These won't be parsed by the referral link algorithm.

Hmm, didn't seem like they were hiding anything:

Originally posted by: DerekWilson
we're still testing out this feature

the plan is to dynamically replace links to stores for which AnandTech has a referral account with our referral link to the same page.

it is currently causing some issues, and i'll let people know.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: newnameman

Originally posted by: Crusty
I'm confused. I thought we were moving to VB? Why would there be active development on Fusecrap features then? Wouldn't everyone's time be better invested working on the VB transition?

Maybe they're treating this forum like the beta now? Test new features here first and port them to VB.

That would be horrifically inefficient given the two sites run on two completely different software stacks. I seriously hope that's not the case :Q

This particular change would be pretty straight forward to implement regardless of the software stack. It's a very simple thing to take a message on its way to the database, find links (probably before the link tag is parsed) and replace them with relevant referral links. This type of work is almost platform independent. It's so simple I'm actually amazed they managed to screw it up.

I don't have a problem with AT making money from advertising to it's users. What I have a problem with is them trying to sneak these referral links in without saying anything until they get called out on it. If the admins could just be more open about things like this then there wouldn't be any backlash, especially if they let people know that they're testing referral links and some links may be broken over the next few days. Simple thing to do.

Now if anyone wants to bypass these referral links, simply use a service like tinyURL, is.gd or bit.ly to shrink your URLs. These won't be parsed by the referral link algorithm.

Don't attribute to malice when you can attribute it to our stupidity.

The link system was deployed sooner than we expected - we didn't have an announcement ready to go when the system went live. AFAIK there are no plans to sneak this by anyone, the fact of the matter is that it's not even possible, you're all techies and can quickly spot this stuff. An announcement should have been ready ahead of time, so you guys are of course right about that.

As for anyone wondering why we have this system, I can't speak for Derek, but I'm not sure there's a lot to say. Forums are expensive and ad revenue is down; referrals allow AT to collect on the fact that buyers came from here. If it wasn't for the fact that this uses a redirect, it would be entirely transparent. In either case this shouldn't have any significant impact on the user experience one the rogue bad links are corrected.

 

[hclarkjr]

if anandtech is hurting for cash why not bring back paid subscriptions? i gladly contributed to it when anandtech ran it for the short time they tried it.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
I find it ironic that everyone here wants to defeat the source of income of this place. I mean, this site isn't free to operate and you don't pay a fee to be here. What does it hurt for a banner to be shown or a referral link to be used?

They can restart offering premium subscriptions and limit access to various parts of the site for those that don't pay?

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: Gillbot
I find it ironic that everyone here wants to defeat the source of income of this place. I mean, this site isn't free to operate and you don't pay a fee to be here. What does it hurt for a banner to be shown or a referral link to be used?

They can restart offering premium subscriptions and limit access to various parts of the site for those that don't pay?

As I understand it, the subscription system was an administrative nightmare, and is not something they're keen to repeat.

 

[hclarkjr]

well if it is that or lose bandwidth due to lack of funds, hopefully they choose to bring it back

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: hclarkjr
well if it is that or lose bandwidth due to lack of funds, hopefully they choose to bring it back

Or implement an automated referral system, which avoids: creating 2 classes of users, administrative nightmares, having to add more ads, etc. This is a better solution than anything else I can think of, off of the top of my head.

Anyhow, I just had a chat with Kris (this is his system) and the kinks should be worked out. If any links are broken or the servicing is being slow, please holler at the top of your lungs.

 

[hclarkjr]

things seem to have speeded up now

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: Gillbot
I find it ironic that everyone here wants to defeat the source of income of this place. I mean, this site isn't free to operate and you don't pay a fee to be here. What does it hurt for a banner to be shown or a referral link to be used?

They can restart offering premium subscriptions and limit access to various parts of the site for those that don't pay?

As I understand it, the subscription system was an administrative nightmare, and is not something they're keen to repeat.

Okie dokie. I'd personally prefer non-seizure inducing ads to referrer/redirects. Granted I know ads can be used maliciously, but having to walk through some unknown website that does god-knows-what with my browser through the clickthru... well let's just say I'll be sure that I will be maintaining said greasemonkey script for the near future.

It really is a shame though, I'm not trying to take money out of the site's hands... I'm trying to keep the rest of my wallet safe. I wish there were some other option with this wonderful internet where you don't have to keep worrying if you're one click away from a scam or not.

 

[DerekWilson]

as virge mentioned, the issues should now be worked out and everything should be running smoothly. links should not break that would work otherwise and it should be faster. please let us know if there are more problems.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: DerekWilson
as virge mentioned, the issues should now be worked out and everything should be running smoothly. links should not break that would work otherwise and it should be faster. please let us know if there are more problems.

Forums are dragging for me.