explanation to what hotlinking is - and why it's bad.

Dark_Angel · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:07

This isn't a rant, this isn't getting annoyed at people - but I really do believe some people just don't know what it is.

Lets say you have an image on a website - say for example Microsofts website.

If I like an image on that website, lets say I'm in a windows 7 thread and want to show someone a features list. If I right click that image, grab the images URL:

e.g: www.microsoft.com/coolimage.jpg

I then link it so that it displays on this forum from *THEIR* site, I'm hot linking. This is important! Because *IF* you do this, some webmasters replace the image / add hot link protection. That means that your image of a W7 feature list could suddenly turn in to something extremely nasty. If anyone of you have seen some images certain sites use to protect them, you'll know what I mean. (disgusting stuff at times).

The solution is http://imageshack.us/

Just right click the image from the website you found it from, and then go to Imageshack and upload it and post it. It's completely free. If you're in doubt, upload it. If its your *OWN* website, then that of course is fine to link from. Just mention it on occasion in your posts so moderators know.

*EDIT*

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/10035

That's the addon for Photobucket FF addon.

If you have firefox, a good solution is Jansey B's!

Janesy B said:
Open Photobucket Account
Download Photobucket Uploader Add On for Firefox

Job Done.

Imagecave is also another alternative option, but I have heard they have been experiencing a few issues recently.

There is also: http://tinypic.com/

Greenlizard0 · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:10

I think if people know how to copy/paste a link such that a forum can then display it they know what hotlinking is. They're just being lazy.

Ucof · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:11

Some webmasters plans backfire when they use nasty images.

People go "Ah ha! a nasty image! Im going to hotlink that as much as possible as a shock picture" which leads to an increase in bandwidth costs more than if the original image was left.

Personally, i don't see hotlinking as a problem - its easy to turn off if the webmaster wants.

Your title seems to imply at all hotlinking is bad, which it isn't - some sites even give web addresses for pictures with the sole purpose of letting you hotlink to them.

krooton · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:11

Own webspace 4TW!

My OCUK sig is number 1 on my table of files transferred.

41204 hits, 591MB in the month of October, hehe.

[TW]Fox · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:12

I think the whole thing is blown way out of proportion and it would be far simpler to just say you hotlink at your own risk - hotlink and it turns out nasty and its goodbye account.

Because seriously, hotlinking from Microsoft or another large company just isn't a big deal. If the webhosts were that against it they would and could take simple stops to stop it.

Sawell · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:12

The main reason it's bad is because it steals bandwidth from sites that don't want bandwidth stolen. You seemed to miss that part out!

[TW]Fox · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:13

Sawell said:
The main reason it's bad is because it steals bandwidth from sites that don't want bandwidth stolen

If they don't want bandwidth 'stolen' (And it isn't 'stolen', thats completely the wrong term) then simple no hotlinking scripts are everywhere.

krooton · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:14

Sawell said:
The main reason it's bad is because it steals bandwidth from sites that don't want bandwidth stolen. You seemed to miss that part out!

I have a monthly transfer for 2000GB. I rarely break 80GB. This is for $6 a month.

Dark_Angel · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:14

[TW]Fox;15184945 said:
I think the whole thing is blown way out of proportion and it would be far simpler to just say you hotlink at your own risk - hotlink and it turns out nasty and its goodbye account.

Because seriously, hotlinking from Microsoft or another large company just isn't a big deal. If the webhosts were that against it they would and could take simple stops to stop it.

I used MS for an example. Was the first thing that sprang to mind.

Sawell said:
The main reason it's bad is because it steals bandwidth from sites that don't want bandwidth stolen. You seemed to miss that part out!

True, that's bad for them.

Ucof · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:14

its also in the php.ini/ .htaccess file for linux servers

Dark_Angel · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:16

The argument isn't that webmasters should secure it better - true there is hotlink protection. I'm not even trying to create a debate, simply attempting to tell people what it is and a solution.

Sawell · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:17

[TW]Fox;15184962 said:
If they don't want bandwidth 'stolen' (And it isn't 'stolen', thats completely the wrong term) then simple no hotlinking scripts are everywhere.

What? I'm not defending websites here, just explaining the principal behind bandwidth siphoning and why they might install such scripts. Sure, it's not stealing, but you use these terms to make it easily understandable for the masses.

Confused · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:19

Also - if you've viewed an image direct from a site, and copy/paste the URL here, you will more than likely see the image you intended to see, as it will be in your cache.

It's only when other people, who haven't visited the site directly, open a thread to try to view an image, that they see the Hotlink Protection.

Imageshack, Photobucket et al are all good for quickly uploading images to - or get your own web space.

Dark_Angel · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:21

That's a very good point confused.

If it's cached, to you the image you posted might look like a box of chocolates, to the rest of us it looks like a coat that got run over.

If people hot link it's either because:

A: They are lazy - in which case please don't contribute.
B: They don't know what it is. Which my post (might) help a few people understand.

markweatherill · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:23

Thanks Dark Angel for the explanation.

Feek · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:25

The reason hotlinking isn't allowed is very simple - We've had some particularly nasty images displayed inadvertently on here and that's just not acceptable.

Dark_Angel · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:26

Yep - I remember some of them. They were truly disgusting.

Streeteh · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:27

Good idea Dark Angel, when i first started posting here i didn't actually know what hot linking was so i'm sure this'll help at least a couple of people.

steve-h · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:27

Dark_Angel said:
I then link it so that it displays on this forum from *THEIR* site, I'm hot linking. This is important! Because *IF* you do this, some webmasters replace the image / add hot link protection. That means that your image of a W7 feature list could suddenly turn in to something extremely nasty. If anyone of you have seen some images certain sites use to protect them, you'll know what I mean. (disgusting stuff at times).

It's true, I've done this many times... even when I've given permission to let people host stuff.

Dark_Angel · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:29

Since I'm getting a reasonably positive reaction, if Moderators / Admins don't mind I will keep this bumped for a few days.

Even if it helps reduce the problem by 10 percent it will be something I guess.