Exactly. Which is why I suggested it be made as an "option" :)

That way, if you're not using the links for search engine ranking, then you can use the tracking code (if there ever was one written).

If you are using it for search engine ranking, then you can turn the tracking off (in my ideal version of this hack :) )

I use a separate tracker, one that I use for tracking to and from many sites. I don't think this is a feature that should be built into the autolinker hack, because to get a good level of click tracking and monitoring, you need a dedicated script that would dwarf the autolinker hack!

I would suggest you invest in a dedicated tracking script. I have mine on a dedicated domain that is nice and short, and created a subdomain called "a" to replace www with something shorter. On the end of that goes a short tracking number. The funny thing is, google and inktomi often pick my tracking links up, and list the actual tracking link it's self rather than the target. That's prety cool, because I can track hits direct from search engines, and send SE traffic straight to my advertisers. That's fluke though. If I tried to do that, I would surely fail!

Interesting point. However for someone needing just simple tracking, I think it would be a nice feature to add into the script.

I have used several tracking scripts, and all of them would be overkill for what I'm describing.

One other benefit that an inscript tracker would have is that the link URL would be from the same domain as the forum. I think users would trust a link more (since they don't know where it's going) if it appears to just be a regular forum link, rather than a link that is from some other domain they aren't familiar with.

hey rrr thanks for pointing out that the demo went to a blocked area. I just set permissions for articles and tutorials and forgot abou you guys checking it out... I better set them back :)

on to your suggestion. Personally, I think it is a great suggestion however I wouldnt have time to do a catch/referal script right now.

Why not use something like vBa links directory or scan here for a hack that does something similar (there are a few). Then make any autolinks you create simply refer to that redirect page (most link directories will use a refer page that tracks clicks).

Going off to sort my permissions ;)

This looks like quite a fun hack. I have a suggestion for users that they might be able to use to make a buck or two.

Offer to sell (actually to rent) words and phrases on your forums. You sell the word for say a dollar a month. So, for example, if you are running a makeup forum like I saw earlier, you could sell words like lipstick or foundation.

The longer phrases could pre-empt the shorter ones, so if somebody bought "skin moisturizer" it would take precedence over the person who bought "moisturizer" if the phrase "skin moisturizer" were actually used.

A more sophisticated hack could allow people to bid on adwords like google.

Each user has a total budget (that he can charge up with paypal or something) and he has a list of words with their associated links for each, and a daily budget for each, and a bid amount he is willing to pay - his bid for that word.

The user who offers the most for a specific word or phrase owns that offered the most for a word would own the link associated and every time one of his words gets clicked on, his budget gets depleted by that amount until his total budget or his daily budget ran out, or somebody outbid him on the word.

Now you might not even have to auction the actual words, but simply an adspace that appears right after the post that contains the word.

Regards,

Matt

Now that's an interesting idea. I think I may go that route (it'll give me a directory for my forums, and a link tracking script).

I've got to get out of this box more often.

The instructions say to find in admincp/index.php :

But my admincp/index.php looks like:

And your code wants $printhr = true.

Do I put your code in between the $printhr line and the if (can_administer line? Or do I replace the $printhr=false line as well?

This is also breaking up urls for me in safe mode, is there a workaround yet?

rrr - put it above the $printhr = false; line then.

Razz- Everytime someone brings this up - it turns out that it isnt in safe mode. There may be an occasional issue with the settings being built - but I havent seen it yet! Try this:

In your functions_showthread.php file, comment out the following line:

So it looks like this:

Then rebuild your settings in safe mode and go to a page with mesed up URL. If it is still mesed up view the source and search for <--GAL_REMOVAL--> If it isnt there, it means the settings were not built right.

HTH's

Hi Nail Geek,

I didn't notice if this had been covered yet but the settings are incorrect for most due to an error in step 3.2 of the install with a typo on gal_settings (gel_settings)

Also in functions_showthread:

should be