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taxi
19-08-2001, 17:11/05:11PM
I understand that Microsoft is to introduce smart tags into their browsers. I would prefer to decide the external links from my site. Not Microsoft or anyone else. So, do you think this, <meta name="MSSmartTagsPreventParsing" content="TRUE"> , would do the trick? Or is there a better way?
ihelpyou
19-08-2001, 17:16/05:16PM
Welcome to the forums taxi! :hi:

Yes. That is the only way we know about right now. Simply put it on all your pages in between the <head> tags.

Of course, smart tags are not the concern right now with all the other software out there and online in every IE 4 and higher browser who wishes to load it.

I just visited your front page and saw a green link on the word "holiday". It led me directly to this Url:

http://www.kanoodle.com/return.cool?query=sales%20letter%20form

Now that is the software you should be worrying about.

I clicked on YOUR green link on the word "information" and it led me here:

http://www.debtconsolidation4u.com/
markymark
19-08-2001, 18:22/06:22PM
I'm definitely gonna get someone from Microsoft HQ over here to answer this. To me, smart tags are nothing more than a minor annoyance, as they are turned off by default. I had this discussion with my kid brother and his view was quite different - but interesting - from the views generally expressed here.
MazY
19-08-2001, 18:48/06:48PM
I tend to agree with you, MarkyMark.

Sure they are going to be a pain in the butt. (And let's not kid ourselves, they are coming sooner or later.)

On the other hand, as you say, off by default, what's the big problem? Though I will say that I do not believe that they will add any real value to the average web surfer. In fact, I see them only confusing things further for the average surfer.
ihelpyou
19-08-2001, 18:59/06:59PM
Agreed. Smart tags in their current form are NO problem.

But the companies that have been spun off the concept will be a HUGE problem. There is no opt-out. The default for the software is ON. The software defaces every web site in the world with every general word you can think of on your page, with a link leading directly elsewhere to randomly generated places that have nothing to do with Your site or your page or the word that is green on your page.

That is a problem For parents, for webmasters, for children, and for Congress.
JuniorHarris
21-08-2001, 15:50/03:50PM
>But the companies that have been spun off the concept will be a HUGE problem.

Exactly!~ Another fine mess you got us into Ollie!~ Smells worse then cloaking, as the end result will have a much larger impact in altering a page's true presentation to the end user.
markymark
21-08-2001, 16:13/04:13PM
Don't quite know how I'm gonna phrase this, but I talked to a couple of people at Microsoft who have no further comment on smart tags. However, and I agree, there is a view that people should take some personal responsibility for what they download. Don't install shoddy software from questionable companies. Think carefully about what you are downloading (whether this is from Surf+ or Microsoft) and judge the benefits or otherwise of your own actions.

While these other companies are in it for a fast buck, what is the general consumer awareness of these products, why would people want them, how would they advantage Joe Surfer.

Someone (and I think it was a US president) once said that no one ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the population; but I don't agree. Particularly as these products are only used by the web underclass. Put them out of business and move on.
ihelpyou
21-08-2001, 16:26/04:26PM
Well, I agree with that but that is not the problem As we have uncovered, little 10yr old Mary can go to filemix.net and see that see can get rid of the annoying popups by downloading this special software.

She will Not read all the fine print while installing. It looks Very safe to her.

Now, little Mary starts surfing to her favorite sites. She comes to Disney where she shes some bright green links. She clicks to be led to "chics with *****" web site.

THat is the problem.
JuniorHarris
21-08-2001, 17:13/05:13PM
Hell, I'm an adult and even I don't want to (think or) see that!~ :eek:
taxi
21-08-2001, 17:48/05:48PM
It seems to me that the only reason for Microsoft to create SmartTags is for their (financial) benefit.
I do not believe a third party should be allowed to generate links that can only drive hard earned traffic away from your site.
Why have Netscape not chosen this route?
I think the best solution is to make sure that SmartTags are disabled on your site until Microsoft can explain to site owners what positive benefits there are for them.
JuniorHarris
22-08-2001, 09:00/09:00AM
Only the author reserves the right to allow or alter their own content. I don't think anyone else has the right to alter our content without permission, be it some little unknown company or microsoft itself!~