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3rd Mar 2014, 8:24 pm | #1 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton)
Posts: 7,306
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URL link problems in PMs
Earlier today, I sent a PM to a forum member, which included a URL link. However, on clicking that link in the PM produces a '404 not Found', whereas typing eactltly the same url link into the Yahoo search box opens the website in question (in point of fact another Vintage Radio Forum) Is there some reason for this? As far as I'm aware I'm not breaking any rules by pointing someone in the direction of another forum.
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3rd Mar 2014, 8:45 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,843
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Hello,
I suspect that there's a slight, undetected discrepancy between the link in the PM and the one you're entering manually. All it takes is one slip of a finger - easily done. You've accidentally typed "eactltly" in your question, for example. Try opening the PM from your "sent" PM box, highlighting the link, and selecting COPY, then open your browser and enter it into the address box using PASTE. I suspect you'll get the same error message. Two other possibilities come to mind: (1) When a long web address is entered in a thread here, an abbreviated [with three dots] version is displayed even though it's still clickable and will work when clicked. For example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_tr...at=0&_from=R40 If you copy this manually and include the dots rather than the full link, it won't work. (2) There are indeed a very few sites whose address is not allowed to be posted in posts in a thread for "political" reasons, and these show up like this and are NOT clickable or decipherable: http://www.*****************************/ This may apply to PMs too for all I know. Hope that helps, Nick |
4th Mar 2014, 1:22 am | #3 |
Administrator
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Location: Cardiff
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Bearing in mind that the forum software hasn't changed for about 5 years and this issue has never been reported before, I think finger trouble or copy/pasting and getting the abbreviated link as Nick suggests is the most likely explanation.
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4th Mar 2014, 1:21 pm | #4 |
Rest in Peace
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Thanks, both, for your advice. I did realise my mistake, too late to correct it, Nick, but I double checked the URL in my PM, and in fact sent another to the same member with the correct URL, but it still didn't work. If I hear from the frum member in question that he's having problems, I'll check further, otherwise just be more aware next time I enter a weblink!
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4th Mar 2014, 1:27 pm | #5 |
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Can you post the link here or by PM to me so that it can be checked please.
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5th Mar 2014, 1:22 am | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Could this be a forum implementation of the Scunthorpe problem?
ISTR encountering something similar when trying to post URLs on either here or another forum. I gave up in the end and posted a modified link with separate instructions on how to edit it.
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5th Mar 2014, 9:38 am | #7 | |
Rest in Peace
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Quote:
(Produces a '404 Not found' I've just tried it!) |
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5th Mar 2014, 9:47 am | #8 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
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5th Mar 2014, 9:59 am | #9 |
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
When using the Insert Link option you need to put the http:// at the beginning, otherwise it isn't a complete URL.
You probably started at the www. which caused it to make a link to https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ageradio.co.uk which of course is invalid. |
5th Mar 2014, 1:56 pm | #10 |
Nonode
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 2,102
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Is there a way to add 'alternate text' links, such that a lengthy URL is shown as something more meaningful? - sure I saw one here the other day but I can't find a tool to do it
- Jules |
5th Mar 2014, 2:11 pm | #11 |
Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cardiff
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Yes, type the text you want to be a link, select it, click the "Insert Link" icon and enter the URL in the box. It will look like this: click here.
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5th Mar 2014, 2:21 pm | #12 | |
Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 9,071
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Quote:
The main exception to this is URLs where we target quite long strings (the whole domain name usually) within longer words which gives the result as shown in post #2. |
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6th Mar 2014, 1:12 am | #13 |
Nonode
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK.
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
Excellent, Paul, re. alternate text links - I should of thought of that
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7th Mar 2014, 6:01 am | #14 |
Dekatron
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Re: URL link problems in PMs
I always copy and paste links. They often go directly to an individual post in a forum on many forum software setups.
I use preview and test the link before posting and clicking submit along with spell and grammar checking. |