Subscriber links

[AreaCode707]

Just wondering if there's a good way that I've overlooked to get the subscriber links to work for me. When they're spelled out like this,http://subscriber.anandtech.com/messagepost.cfm?catid=42&postaction=post, simple enough, change subscriber to forums but when they're like this it takes you directly to the sign in page. I'm probably missing the obvious answer, but is there a way for a non subscriber to handily change a link to a subsciber link?

 

[pyonir]

n/m i guess i'm computer illiterate.

 

[yiwonder]

Find your "Hosts" file (note: no file extension) and add in the line "216.151.100.125 subscriber.anandtech.com". The Hosts file is in your Windows folder, but just do a find for "Hosts". From now on, whenever you click on a subscriber domain, you will automatically go to that IP address (which is forums.anandtech.com). If you need more help, just tell me.

 

[ILikeSprite]

<< Find your "Hosts" file (note: no file extension) and add in the line "216.151.100.125 subscriber.anandtech.com". The Hosts file is in your Windows folder, but just do a find for "Hosts". From now on, whenever you click on a subscriber domain, you will automatically go to that IP address (which is forums.anandtech.com). If you need more help, just tell me. >>



That is a good idea... I never thought of that before. *adds to host file*

EDIT: awesome, it works!

 

[Lucky]

I never understood this. Why cant you modify the software so that when a post is made, if it has (subcriber.) in it, then it changes it to (forums.)? Suscribers are automatically routed back to the subsrip forum anyways, so I dont see the point in making the majority of people (non subscribers) fiddle with links every time.

 

[joohang]

That is also a neat trick for getting rid of banner ads.

 

[bizmark]

what I always do when I see a subscriber link is: Ctrl-N for a new window. Then, the URL for the new window is always something like

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=42&threadid=783711

Then I mouse-over the subscriber link, and it'll show the category ID and thread ID down in the status bar. Then hit F6 and type the new threadid and catid into the current URL. In OT there's typically not much work involved, since the catid stays the same (38) and the threadid usually just changes the last 3 digits or so, if it's a link to a recent post.

edit: of course, the hosts thing is a better solution

 

[olds]

<< I never understood this. Why cant you modify the software so that when a post is made, if it has (subcriber.) in it, then it changes it to (forums.)? Suscribers are automatically routed back to the subsrip forum anyways, so I dont see the point in making the majority of people (non subscribers) fiddle with links every time. >>


If I remember, I change the link from subscriber to forums when I post the link. It helps the newbies out.

 

[mastertech01]

I try to remember these things when posting a link for the non subscribers. What I do is click on the "mail this thread to someone" link, the little envelope, and it will have the forums URL, copy and paste that. Saves a bit of typing.

 

[Zim Hosein]

<< I try to remember these things when posting a link for the non subscribers. What I do is click on the "mail this thread to someone" link, the little envelope, and it will have the forums URL, copy and paste that. Saves a bit of typing. >>



Thanks for that tip mastertech01, I'll use that in my future posts

 

[Hossenfeffer]

I never understood this. Why cant you modify the software so that when a post is made, if it has (subcriber.) in it, then it changes it to (forums.)?

Because the switch made by the software could be considered a subscriber "feature". I'm not "up" on what sort of load (if any) it places on the servers, but...

 

[zodder]

Nice tip, John. I'll make sure to do that for the non-subscribers.

 

[Insomniac]

A server side alternative would be to use relative links for forums or subscriber links. I don't know if this is possible, but if the links were detected to have 'forums.anandtech.com' or 'subscriber.anandtech.com' the links would be changed to relative ones like '/messagepost.cfm?catid=42&postaction=post' and whatever server the user is on, they will stay there.

 

[networkman]

It certainly makes sense to take an extra couple seconds when posting a link to simply place "forums" in the for the "subscriber" part as then anyone can click on the link and get where they need to go easily.

I try to remember to do this especially for FS/T links.