AOL Blocks Links from LiveJournal 396
Martin continues:
"We've tried to contact AOL three different ways, all without success. We've also told our users to contact their tech support. At one point, an AOL
staffer pointed
out that FTP access still worked (which is probably because FTP has no
"Referrer" concept), and so, as an interim fix, we're rewriting all HTTP URLs
to use FTP on the AOL properties where that works instead. This means that
users can again host their images on the AOL webspace they're paying for, but
more importantly, it means they can simply link to their webpage.
We wouldn't be so upset if they were simply blocking images. Bandwidth use
is a valid concern, after all, and we even provide step-by-step
instructions for people to configure their webservers to prevent image
"theft". However, because they're blocking all access, including regular
links, this looks like it's either a mistake, or something more insidious (the
conspiracy theorists have pointed out that AOL has just launched their own
competing weblog product, also based on "journals").
Although CI Host
sued AOL recently for being blocked, we really don't want to do that. We
still suspect that this was all just a mistake, and hopefully, by making this
public, we'll manage to get their attention, since all our previous attempts
have failed."
Good. (Score:4, Funny)
Scary image (Score:2, Funny)
Yet another reason not to like AOL users. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go wash out my eyes with nitric acid.
Re:Wait a minute (Score:5, Funny)
Agreed. There are those who think Microsoft sucks, and those who think Microsoft blows.
Re:Wait a minute (Score:3, Funny)
They Might Be Giants (Score:5, Funny)
My more centrist side says...
My cynical side says...
Hey look! It's Triangle Man!
I, for one... (Score:5, Funny)
I'm getting a ritual circumcision as required by AOL CEO Levin as we speakKKKKALRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Idea. (Score:2, Funny)
(2) ???
(3) Profit!
AOL wants to seperate from the internet, lets help (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Will this be what kills the referer header? (Score:4, Funny)
Parent is not a troll (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Good. (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Wait a minute (Score:4, Funny)
I guess we'll have to try cold fusion again...
Re:Wait a minute (Score:3, Funny)
What does deep linking have to do with this? The story says it is all linking from a particular site that is being blocked.
Re:AOL and Blogs (Score:2, Funny)
Today I called tech support, apparently my computer doesn't come with a cup holder...
I'll be recieving a new CR-DOM driver next week.
You've Got Blog (Score:4, Funny)
"Everyone has a story to tell; what's yours? Create an AOL Journal about your summer vacation, being pregnant or trying to find a new job. AOL makes it easy, fast and fun!"
"Get Started Today
Create a Journal
Build your own blog
with our cool tools. "
It's all right there. I didn't have the heart to actually check out the blogs.
What do we need with an open-source, customizable system like LJ's, complete with lively, growing user communities? Who needs software that might foster an actual original thought? Interacting with strangers is so...icky! We can pay lots of money instead to record our sanitized inmost feelings on the AOL version.
They're probably staying awake nights figuring out how to block links from independent systems like Moveable Type. Could Slashdot be far behind?
Anne
I, for one... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:F12 (Score:3, Funny)
Are you Russian?