URL link problems in PMs - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

'LIVEWIRE?' · 3rd Mar 2014, 8:24 pm

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.

Nickthedentist · 3rd Mar 2014, 8:45 pm

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

Paul Stenning · 4th Mar 2014, 1:22 am

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.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 4th Mar 2014, 1:21 pm

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!

Station X · 4th Mar 2014, 1:27 pm

Can you post the link here or by PM to me so that it can be checked please.

Herald1360 · 5th Mar 2014, 1:22 am

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.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 5th Mar 2014, 9:38 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Station X

Can you post the link here or by PM to me so that it can be checked please.

Graham, the link was to www.golbornevintageradio.co.uk

(Produces a '404 Not found' I've just tried it!)

Radio_Dave · 5th Mar 2014, 9:47 am

The link to that website should be http://golbornevintageradio.co.uk

David

Paul Stenning · 5th Mar 2014, 9:59 am

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.

Julesomega · 5th Mar 2014, 1:56 pm

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

Paul Stenning · 5th Mar 2014, 2:11 pm

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.

Paul Stenning · 5th Mar 2014, 2:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herald1360

Could this be a forum implementation of the Scunthorpe problem?

With the "bad words" filter we generally target the words in isolation and not the characters when parts of other words. So if the 2nd to 5th letters of Scunthorpe were a word on their own it would be shown as **** whereas the whole word is fine.

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.

Julesomega · 6th Mar 2014, 1:12 am

Excellent, Paul, re. alternate text links - I should of thought of that

Refugee · 7th Mar 2014, 6:01 am

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.

3rd Mar 2014, 8:24 pm	#1
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	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.

4th Mar 2014, 1:22 am	#3
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	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. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

4th Mar 2014, 1:21 pm	#4
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	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!

4th Mar 2014, 1:27 pm	#5
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,287	Re: URL link problems in PMs Can you post the link here or by PM to me so that it can be checked please. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

5th Mar 2014, 1:22 am	#6
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	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. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

3rd Mar 2014, 8:45 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,843	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

5th Mar 2014, 9:47 am	#8
Radio_Dave Nonode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 2,543	Re: URL link problems in PMs The link to that website should be http://golbornevintageradio.co.uk David __________________ http://www.youtube.com/ My Nixie Clocks

5th Mar 2014, 9:59 am	#9
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	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. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

5th Mar 2014, 1:56 pm	#10
Julesomega Nonode Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 2,102	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
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	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. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

6th Mar 2014, 1:12 am	#13
Julesomega Nonode Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 2,102	Re: URL link problems in PMs Excellent, Paul, re. alternate text links - I should of thought of that

7th Mar 2014, 6:01 am	#14
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	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.