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Advally said:
James, could you be more specific about where the banner is placed and what it looks like? Either a screenshot or a DM to our account would be helpful. There should always be an option to dismiss.
Click to expand...

I am feeling bad that I have not been able to provide more info as I had wanted to, but with the weekend coming up I should be able to work through some examples.

Here is a screenshot of what I am currently seeing:
Screenshot_20210506_212724.png


I measured how much screen the banner is using on my PC and my notebook that I use at work. The banner is about 20mm high on both. On my PC with a 24" monitor the banner is the same height as on my notebook with it's 15.2" screen. OK, so it is only a sample of 2 but it looks like the banner has a fixed height that does not scale with the user's monitor resolution. On the notebook the banner eats up proportionally more screen area and well, kinda sucks.

I will try to provide some more detailed info on the weekend, during the work week time and work burnout kinda limits what I have the energy for.

Cheers,
James
 
Bratwurst7s said:
I am feeling bad that I have not been able to provide more info as I had wanted to, but with the weekend coming up I should be able to work through some examples.

Here is a screenshot of what I am currently seeing:
View attachment 2218161

I measured how much screen the banner is using on my PC and my notebook that I use at work. The banner is about 20mm high on both. On my PC with a 24" monitor the banner is the same height as on my notebook with it's 15.2" screen. OK, so it is only a sample of 2 but it looks like the banner has a fixed height that does not scale with the user's monitor resolution. On the notebook the banner eats up proportionally more screen area and well, kinda sucks.

I will try to provide some more detailed info on the weekend, during the work week time and work burnout kinda limits what I have the energy for.

Cheers,
James
Click to expand...

James, Thanks for the clarification. I've never seen that before, but it seems to be triggered by the Google consent framework we were testing last week. It's annoying that this banner appears for AdBlock users, it doesn't seem like we can disable it. From what I can tell, it's possible the AdBlock software is blocking requests for the consent framework itself, which is why that message is appearing. I've turned off the consent framework entirely for now, please let me know if that resolves the issue.

Unfortunately this isn't a permanent solution, we are required by law to have a CMP for EEA users, it's frustrating that any banners appear for users outside Europe.
 
Advally said:
James, Thanks for the clarification. I've never seen that before, but it seems to be triggered by the Google consent framework we were testing last week. It's annoying that this banner appears for AdBlock users, it doesn't seem like we can disable it. From what I can tell, it's possible the AdBlock software is blocking requests for the consent framework itself, which is why that message is appearing. I've turned off the consent framework entirely for now, please let me know if that resolves the issue.

Unfortunately this isn't a permanent solution, we are required by law to have a CMP for EEA users, it's frustrating that any banners appear for users outside Europe.
Click to expand...

When I was logged in with my notebook 2 hours ago I had the nag banner. Now at home I just logged in (15:18 GMT+1) and there is no banner. Yeah!

Cheers,
James
 
I now get no banner appearing at the bottom of the screen, with my ad blocker/tracking cookie blocker set to 'restrict the site' - but I still get two 'Advertisement' fields appearing when logged on, and now two, not three anymore, appearing when logged off.

Note: I am in the UK.
 
Hyperion said:
I now get no banner appearing at the bottom of the screen, with my ad blocker/tracking cookie blocker set to 'restrict the site' - but I still get two 'Advertisement' fields appearing when logged on, and now two, not three anymore, appearing when logged off.

Note: I am in the UK.
Click to expand...

That bottom banner is gone because I've ripped out the consent platform for now. We will have to replace it at some point, but I want to see if we can get rid of any notices when an adblock is active.

The "advertisement" blocks are hard coded into the site to avoid layout shift when ads load. It helps immensely for users who don't have AdBlock because it prevents elements on the page from moving positions when ads load. If you are using AdBlock they will simply remain empty as the ad call is never made.
 
Bratwurst7s said:
When I was logged in with my notebook 2 hours ago I had the nag banner. Now at home I just logged in (15:18 GMT+1) and there is no banner. Yeah!
Click to expand...

I've ripped out the consent platform for now. We will have to replace it, but I want to see if we can get rid of any notices when an adblock is active.
 
Advally said:
I've ripped out the consent platform for now. We will have to replace it, but I want to see if we can get rid of any notices when an adblock is active.
Click to expand...

I understand concerning the temp nature of the consent form and nag banner and removal.

When the consent form is active again please let us know and I will work to add to what I reported in posts # 783, 784, 792 and 799. Mainly to see step by step what happens concerning the consent form when I temporarily relax some of the restrictions in Firefox and allow cookies to be stored on my pc, as well as how it responds to NoStript and AdBlock.

Again, thanks for working with us concerning this.

Cheers,
James
 
Got a new complaint. One of the members posted a DIY for building an Audio streamer project,
and the Viglink tool changed all their Amazon Links to links to Walmart.
It still SHOWS as an Amazon link, but when you click it, it reroutes you to Walmart.com

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/build-a-diy-squeezebox-touch.959324/

Tracking links is one thing, its annoying on its own, and we've all accepted that,
although some anti spywar complains about link redirects,
but this redirecting to a competitor is a new thing and, in my mind, not acceptable,
since if WallyWorld doesn't sell that product, the link is useless.

edit: The link that redirected simply said "This stand" - and redirected at 8AM today when I tried it. I left it as is.
I did copy/post the Amazon link visibly at the bottom next to the members comment about the link being redirected.

Using MacPro with OSX Mojave 10.14.6
Chrome - Version 90.0.4430.93 (Official Build) (x86_64)

Just tried it again and the link behind "this stand" is pointed to - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TU5KMQ/
but is redirected by "viglink" and to goes to
https://www.walmart.com/ip/MoKo-Cel...3590&affiliates_ad_id=612734&campaign_id=9383
 
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^^When I click on the links, it goes to Amazon.

Using Brave browser, SHIELDS UP, Samsung S10.
 
^ Same here, for me your link and the link in the member's original post go to Amazon.

Firefox 88.0, Win 10 - 20H2 on a Dell laptop.
 
The link redirects for me from Amazon to Wal-Mart.

Pale Moon 29.2.0 ( 64 Bit )
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19041.928]
Lenovo S145 Laptop

Mark Gosdin
 
Bratwurst7s said:
I understand concerning the temp nature of the consent form and nag banner and removal.

When the consent form is active again please let us know and I will work to add to what I reported in posts # 783, 784, 792 and 799. Mainly to see step by step what happens concerning the consent form when I temporarily relax some of the restrictions in Firefox and allow cookies to be stored on my pc, as well as how it responds to NoStript and AdBlock.

Again, thanks for working with us concerning this.

Cheers,
James
Click to expand...

Perfect, we're going to go back to the drawing board on this one. We will definitely reach out for testing though, as it is really helpful to have someone located in Europe who is more used to seeing these things all over the internet.

hjames said:
Got a new complaint. One of the members posted a DIY for building an Audio streamer project,
and the Viglink tool changed all their Amazon Links to links to Walmart.
It still SHOWS as an Amazon link, but when you click it, it reroutes you to Walmart.com

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/build-a-diy-squeezebox-touch.959324/

Tracking links is one thing, its annoying on its own, and we've all accepted that,
although some anti spywar complains about link redirects,
but this redirecting to a competitor is a new thing and, in my mind, not acceptable,
since if WallyWorld doesn't sell that product, the link is useless.

edit: The link that redirected simply said "This stand" - and redirected at 8AM today when I tried it. I left it as is.
I did copy/post the Amazon link visibly at the bottom next to the members comment about the link being redirected.

Using MacPro with OSX Mojave 10.14.6
Chrome - Version 90.0.4430.93 (Official Build) (x86_64)

Just tried it again and the link behind "this stand" is pointed to - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TU5KMQ/
but is redirected by "viglink" and to goes to
https://www.walmart.com/ip/MoKo-Cel...3590&affiliates_ad_id=612734&campaign_id=9383
Click to expand...

Ah... yeah so that is an experimental thing we were trying from Sovrn called an Affiliate Link Encoder. The idea is that it just gives you credit if someone is posting links to buy stuff in your forum. That behaviour though where it is switching stores is new, so we'll look into turning that part of it off.

Also in terms of that member promoting their own sales, you are correct we don't want it to work that way. That isn't the intention, so we'll get that fixed up.
 
It just looked like the member just shared links to amazon so we'd know what parts to buy to duplicate their success.
It was not the affiliate sales type of extended links.

Advally said:
Ah... yeah so that is an experimental thing we were trying from Sovrn called an Affiliate Link Encoder. The idea is that it just gives you credit if someone is posting links to buy stuff in your forum. That behaviour though where it is switching stores is new, so we'll look into turning that part of it off.

Also in terms of that member promoting their own sales, you are correct we don't want it to work that way. That isn't the intention, so we'll get that fixed up.
Click to expand...
Again, the member was not getting a cut on the link like Affiliate Sales do, it was just an pointer to Amazon. And yes, it should NOT switch stores from Amazon to Walmart - thats intrusive!
 
hjames said:
It just looked like the member just shared links to amazon so we'd know what parts to buy to duplicate their success.
It was not the affiliate sales type of extended links.


Again, the member was not getting a cut on the link like Affiliate Sales do, it was just an pointer to Amazon. And yes, it should NOT switch stores from Amazon to Walmart - thats intrusive!
Click to expand...

Ahhhhh.... got it. Thanks for the clarification!
 
I use Windows PCs, no smartphone or other sourced hardware for browsing. I use Firefox browser, with Privacy Badger and Privacy Possum (or TOR) I do not have an adblocker on any of my PCs except the one dedicated to financial transactions, which is not used for general browsing. On all of them I have a large custom 'hosts' file which assigns a 0.0.0.0 IP address to any URL I find objectionable. Whenever I start seeing an ad or other useless junk appearing in my browser I look at the page source information and add the server URL to my hosts file. This blocks any outgoing requests to ad servers for content, and blocks outgoing traffic containing tracking information. If they never get the content request they cannot send you anything to fill your screen. I do end up with blank areas on some browser pages where the page created a spot for the content, but never had the content request filled. This makes me smile because my tactic is working. Since I do not use FB or Twitter or any of those (anti-)social things, they are on the list as well. This blocks the viglink redirect as well. That was how I got rid of the big annoying bottom banner.
I also use OpenDNS (now Cisco Umbrella) to blacklist certain DNS requests for my whole network.

FWIW, I support AK financially. I also spend a lot of time in the tech fora (usually Pioneer) helping people. Sometimes they offer to compensate me directly, but I always suggest they become a Subscriber and/or donate to AK instead. That way my blocking advertising does not negatively affect AK's necessary revenue stream.

AND a heart-felt THANK YOU to all the Mods and Staff members who make AK work
sign0098.gif
.
 
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merlynski said:
I use Windows PCs, no smartphone or other sourced hardware for browsing. I use Firefox browser, with Privacy Badger and Privacy Possum (or TOR) I do not have an adblocker on any of my PCs except the one dedicated to financial transactions, which is not used for general browsing. On all of them I have a large custom 'hosts' file which assigns a 0.0.0.0 IP address to any URL I find objectionable. Whenever I start seeing an ad or other useless junk appearing in my browser I look at the page source information and add the server URL to my hosts file. This blocks any outgoing requests to ad servers for content, and blocks outgoing traffic containing tracking information. If they never get the content request they cannot send you anything to fill your screen. I do end up with blank areas on some browser pages where the page created a spot for the content, but never had the content request filled. This makes me smile because my tactic is working. Since I do not use FB or Twitter or any of those (anti-)social things, they are on the list as well. This blocks the viglink redirect as well. That was how I got rid of the big annoying bottom banner.
I also use OpenDNS (now Cisco Umbrella) to blacklist certain DNS requests for my whole network.

FWIW, I support AK financially. I also spend a lot of time in the tech fora (usually Pioneer) helping people. Sometimes they offer to compensate me directly, but I always suggest they become a Subscriber and/or donate to AK instead. That way my blocking advertising does not negatively affect AK's necessary revenue stream.

AND a heart-felt THANK YOU to all the Mods and Staff members who make AK work View attachment 2225418 .
Click to expand...

I know that the site admins really appreciate contributions both in terms of supporting financially and helping members out. So, thank you!

highvoltage_ said:
It's now down to one small rectangle at the top of the page. That's something I can live with, thanks.
Click to expand...

Nice. Glad to hear it is looking better. We're actually working on completely re-doing the layout to try and tighten things up - so expect some changes within a few weeks. We're still testing.
 
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