Linking code

[PaulM]

Hi there,

I have been using the following code as a link to specific products: http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies....=158&NOLOGIN=1.

It has been working fine but has now stopped. It starts working again when I empty out the cgi-bin directory and do a fresh upload. But even then only lasts for a while before giving the same 404 error code and it doesn’t work in Firefox at all.

I have checked with the hosting company to see if they’ve changed any settings etc and they say everything is exactly the same. I’m using v10.0.3 LAFA if that makes any difference.

Can anyone think of a reason why the code works then doesn’t please? Is there another code link I can use that goes straight to the product or can I create a work around “name” link?

Many thanks…Paul

[Mike Hughes]

What page is the link directing you to?

You can't use this link on a different site (such as the forum) without supplying the reference page (source page) in the link as otherwise the script forwards the viewer back to the forum.

This is probably one of two things:

1. That the script isn't seeing the /retail/ subdirectory that you're using

or

2. That your cookie storing the reference has been corrupted.

Both could be fixed by supplying the full source page reference in the link. See the note at the bottom of this knowledge base tip: http://community.actinic.com/showthread.php?t=45335

Mike

[PaulM]

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for the swift reply. I've just tried the referrer addition and no joy - the top product on the below link.

The page I'm linking from is wihin the same site but a different directory: http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/newprod.htm. Each time I get an error code 404 File not Found. But it does look like the page is trying to load before giving the error.

How would I either make the script "see" the retail sub-directory or check whether the cookie is corrupted (this is happening on other computers as well).

Many thanks...Paul

[leehack]

Should it be .html not .htm perhaps?

[Mike Hughes]

Each time I get an error code 404 File not Found.

Can you copy and paste the page url that's in the browser when you get the 404 error. That should help find the problem.

Mike

PS. Both types of link are now working for me from the page you've given above.

To clear your cookie go into Internet Explorer, Tools -> Internet Options > Browser History 'Settings' -> View Files and delete the cookie for your website.

[PaulM]

Hi there,

Definitely .htm Lee.

Mike the 404 error page is: http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies....s_1.html#a1405

I do clear the browser and for a while the links work but then for no reason they stop. This happens with my clients browser as well which means its not good for customers.

Cheers...Paul

[Mike Hughes]

Ok. So the script is definitely dropping the /retail/ from the page it's forwarding you to.

I can't get this to happen and it definitely shouldn't happen from the first link on the page which has the proper reference embedded in the link and should override and reference stored in the cookie.

Does this problem still happen with the new style link that has the proper reference embedded in the link? It shouldn't do.

Mike

[Duncan Rounding]

If I clear my cache first this link works in both IE and FF for me.

http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/cgi-bin/ss001000.pl?PRODREF=158&NOLOGIN=1

[PaulM]

Hi Mike, Not quite sure what you mean by "Does this problem still happen with the new style link that has the proper reference embedded in the link?"

Hi Duncan, it only works sometimes for me then it will just sop working and give me the error page.

Cheers...Paul

[Duncan Rounding]

Have you tried this with referrer added to the end?:

http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/cgi-bin/ss001000.pl?PRODREF=158&NOLOGIN=1&ACTINIC_REFERRER=http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/

[Mike Hughes]

Keep up Duncan, That's what the first product link on the page has.

Mike

[Duncan Rounding]

Oops - ok here's the link for product 1405:

http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/cgi-bin/ss001000.pl?PRODREF=1405&NOLOGIN=1&ACTINIC_REFERRER=http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/

[Mike Hughes]

TBH if you're having problems getting this to be stable I'd just use static links anyway.

All you need to do is create a link to the page and add #a after the page name followed by the product reference and that will take you straight to the product.

e.g.

http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies....ries.html#a157


Mike

[leehack]

or have SPP and kill 2 birds with one stone.

[PaulM]

Many thanks Mike I hadn't realised I could do the link like that - seems much safer to do it that way.

What's SPP Lee?

Paul