Simtel strangeness

  • Thread starter Thread starter Susan Bugher
  • Start date Start date
S

Susan Bugher

I've been having trouble with Simtel download pages and links. As of
today I figured out that *if* I have Javascript enabled and *if* I right
click and open a download link in a new Mozilla tab, I can actually get
the download (if I just click on the link I get a blank page/gif).

After the download becomes available, the page changes to show a
shareware program - and the back button is not available.

I first noticed it with the link below but had the same problem with all
other I tried later (also tried other browsers). . .

http://www.simtel.com/product.download.php?id=73866

Anyone else seeing this behavior?

Susan
--
Pricelessware: http://www.pricelessware.org
PL2003: http://www.pricelessware.org/2003/about2003PL.htm
PL2004 Review: http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/2004nominationsPL.php
alt.comp.freeware FAQ (short) - maintained by John F.
http://clients.net2000.com.au/~johnf/faq.html
 
I've been having trouble with Simtel download pages and links. As of
today I figured out that *if* I have Javascript enabled and *if* I right
click and open a download link in a new Mozilla tab, I can actually get
the download (if I just click on the link I get a blank page/gif).

After the download becomes available, the page changes to show a
shareware program - and the back button is not available.

I first noticed it with the link below but had the same problem with all
other I tried later (also tried other browsers). . .

http://www.simtel.com/product.download.php?id=73866

Anyone else seeing this behavior?

Susan
Click to expand...

They're using some weird redirects. I have a Proxomitron filter that
allows you to bypass the redirects. So, if you wanted to download from the
first link on the page, you'd have the choice of:

http://www.simtel.com/product.download.php?id=73866
&url=http://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/micro/pc/simtelnet//win95%
2Fscrsave%2Fhh2003.zip&mirrorsite=US%2C+California+%28HTTP%29&x=0

OR

http://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/micro/pc/simtelnet//win95/scrsave/hh2003.zip

The latter works fine.

Here's the filter:

Name = "Bypass redirects in links (COMPLEX)"
Active = TRUE
URL =
Bounds = "<a(rea|)\s*[^\-]>"
Limit = 256
Match = "(*(href|onclick))\1="(?[^ ]++)\2(http|https|ftp)\3(:|%3a)(/|%2f)+
{2}([^&'"]+)\4\5"
Replace = "<a href="\3://$UESC(\4)" class=proxlink>[Direct]</a>\1="\2\3://
\4\5"
 
jason said:
They're using some weird redirects. I have a Proxomitron filter that
allows you to bypass the redirects. So, if you wanted to download
from the first link on the page, you'd have the choice of:

http://www.simtel.com/product.download.php?id=73866
&url=http://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/micro/pc/simtelnet//win95%
2Fscrsave%2Fhh2003.zip&mirrorsite=US%2C+California+%28HTTP%29&x=0

OR

http://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/micro/pc/simtelnet//win95/scrsave/hh2003.zip

The latter works fine.

Here's the filter:

Name = "Bypass redirects in links (COMPLEX)"
Active = TRUE
URL =
Bounds = "<a(rea|)\s*[^\-]>"
Limit = 256
Match = "(*(href|onclick))\1="(?[^
]++)\2(http|https|ftp)\3(:|%3a)(/|%2f)+ {2}([^&'"]+)\4\5"
Replace = "<a href="\3://$UESC(\4)"
class=proxlink>[Direct]</a>\1="\2\3:// \4\5"
Click to expand...

Jason,

How do you add this filter to Proxomitron? In Header Filters?
If so, I assume you Click New? Add the filter. But do you check IN or OUT
boxes?

Rob
 
jason said:
I've been having trouble with Simtel download pages and links.
<snip>
Anyone else seeing this behavior?

Susan
Click to expand...

They're using some weird redirects. I have a Proxomitron filter that
allows you to bypass the redirects. So, if you wanted to download from the
first link on the page, you'd have the choice of:

http://www.simtel.com/product.download.php?id=73866
&url=http://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/micro/pc/simtelnet//win95%
2Fscrsave%2Fhh2003.zip&mirrorsite=US%2C+California+%28HTTP%29&x=0

OR

http://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/micro/pc/simtelnet//win95/scrsave/hh2003.zip

The latter works fine.

Here's the filter:

Name = "Bypass redirects in links (COMPLEX)"
Active = TRUE
URL =
Bounds = "<a(rea|)\s*[^\-]>"
Limit = 256
Match = "(*(href|onclick))\1="(?[^ ]++)\2(http|https|ftp)\3(:|%3a)(/|%2f)+
{2}([^&'"]+)\4\5"
Replace = "<a href="\3://$UESC(\4)" class=proxlink>[Direct]</a>\1="\2\3://
\4\5"
Click to expand...



Hi, Jason --

Thank you so much, kind sir! Your filter works perfectly and will save me
much consternation. Simtel.net was giving me so much trouble that I always
had to disable the Filter Web Pages setting at a minimum, and I often had to
disable Proxo completely, something I obviously don't want to do. Your
filter solves the problem very nicely.

Thanks again.

Best regards.

Nil
 
Rob said:
Name = "Bypass redirects in links (COMPLEX)"
Active = TRUE
URL =
Bounds = "<a(rea|)\s*[^\-]>"
Limit = 256
Match = "(*(href|onclick))\1="(?[^
]++)\2(http|https|ftp)\3(:|%3a)(/|%2f)+ {2}([^&'"]+)\4\5"
Replace = "<a href="\3://$UESC(\4)"
class=proxlink>[Direct]</a>\1="\2\3:// \4\5"
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
How do you add this filter to Proxomitron? In Header Filters?
If so, I assume you Click New? Add the filter. But do you check IN
or OUT boxes?
Click to expand...

It's actually just a plain ol' Web Filter. :)

BTW, the Match and Replace lines are probably wrapped in your reader.
Each should be on one line.

There are three ways to add this filter:

- Paste directly into your config file under [Patterns] (recommend doing
this when you're offline and Proxo is off)

- Use the Merge function

- Paste into Proxo manually

For the last two, be sure to remove the quotation remarks around each
line first.

Good luck!
 
Nil said:
Thank you so much, kind sir! Your filter works perfectly and will save
me much consternation. Simtel.net was giving me so much trouble that I
always had to disable the Filter Web Pages setting at a minimum, and I
often had to disable Proxo completely, something I obviously don't
want to do. Your filter solves the problem very nicely.
Click to expand...

Hey Nil, glad it works for you! Am also glad you figured out how to use
it, since I just realized, I forgot to post the instructions!

Anyway, here's how it works: the filtered page will display the original
link and a "direct" link right alongside it. The direct link is identified
as [Direct]. Just click on that.
 
jason said:
@corp.supernews.com:
Click to expand...
They're using some weird redirects.
Click to expand...

Thanks for confirming the problem.

The work-around I found is simple but not obvious - the Simtel report a
problem button didn't work . . . :)

I sure hope Simtel improves things soon . . .

I am envisioning lots of emails to the Pricelessware link telling me
that the PL download links that point to Simtel don't work . . .

Susan
--
Pricelessware: http://www.pricelessware.org
PL2003: http://www.pricelessware.org/2003/about2003PL.htm
PL2004 Review: http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/2004nominationsPL.php
alt.comp.freeware FAQ (short) - maintained by John F.
http://clients.net2000.com.au/~johnf/faq.html
 
jason said:
Rob said:
Name = "Bypass redirects in links (COMPLEX)"
Active = TRUE
URL =
Bounds = "<a(rea|)\s*[^\-]>"
Limit = 256
Match = "(*(href|onclick))\1="(?[^
]++)\2(http|https|ftp)\3(:|%3a)(/|%2f)+ {2}([^&'"]+)\4\5"
Replace = "<a href="\3://$UESC(\4)"
class=proxlink>[Direct]</a>\1="\2\3:// \4\5"
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
How do you add this filter to Proxomitron? In Header Filters?
If so, I assume you Click New? Add the filter. But do you check IN
or OUT boxes?
Click to expand...

It's actually just a plain ol' Web Filter. :)

BTW, the Match and Replace lines are probably wrapped in your reader.
Each should be on one line.

There are three ways to add this filter:

- Paste directly into your config file under [Patterns] (recommend
doing this when you're offline and Proxo is off)

- Use the Merge function

- Paste into Proxo manually

For the last two, be sure to remove the quotation remarks around each
line first.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Jason,

Many Thanks. I have added it to Proxomitron using its GUI. I removed the
quotation marks when pasting.

Just one question -- Do I check the box marked "allow multiple matches"?

Rob
 
Rob said:
Many Thanks. I have added it to Proxomitron using its GUI. I removed
the quotation marks when pasting.

Just one question -- Do I check the box marked "allow multiple
matches"?
Click to expand...

Glad you got the filter installed, and nope, don't check that box.
 
jason said:
Hey Nil, glad it works for you! Am also glad you figured out how to use
it, since I just realized, I forgot to post the instructions!

Anyway, here's how it works: the filtered page will display the original
link and a "direct" link right alongside it. The direct link is identified
as [Direct]. Just click on that.
Click to expand...


Hello again, Jason --

No problem at all adding your filter to Proxo. That was easy.

Your filter is the answer to a mother's prayer. Not only did it eliminate
problems with Simtel.net, but it also eliminated problems with several other
sites that use serpentine and byzantine redirects for downloads. Now I'm in
control. You have truly made my day.

Thanks again very much, kind sir. I greatly appreciate it.

My best wishes to you. Take care.

Nil
 
Nil said:
Your filter is the answer to a mother's prayer. Not only did it
eliminate problems with Simtel.net, but it also eliminated problems
with several other sites that use serpentine and byzantine redirects
for downloads. Now I'm in control. You have truly made my day.
Click to expand...

Wow. Wish I could take credit for being the author of the filter! As it
is, I just scarfed it off the Proxo mailing list. I've scarfed up a lot of
good filters that way. It's a shame so many of them don't make it into the
program itself...

BTW, thanks for noting the filter can be used for more than just the Simtel
site. It truly is a universal filter. Lots of sites are using byzantine
redirects these days, and it's not just the software sites either...though
they're the biggest PITA!
 
Wow. Wish I could take credit for being the author of the filter! As it
is, I just scarfed it off the Proxo mailing list. I've scarfed up a lot of
good filters that way. It's a shame so many of them don't make it into the
program itself...

BTW, thanks for noting the filter can be used for more than just the Simtel
site. It truly is a universal filter. Lots of sites are using byzantine
redirects these days, and it's not just the software sites either...though
they're the biggest PITA!
Click to expand...
Jason,
I missed the 'filter' posting...? could you please re-post for me?
thankyou very much!
Allen.
 
I missed the 'filter' posting...? could you please re-post for me?
thankyou very much!
Click to expand...

Sure thing. Glad to spread the countermeasures. ;)

BTW, doesn't Agent support "Reconstruct Thread" or something similar??
Not being a smart alek here, I'm genuinely curious...

Name = "Bypass redirects in links (COMPLEX)"
Active = TRUE
Bounds = "<a(rea|)\s*[^\-]>"
Limit = 256
Match = "(*(href|onclick))\1="(?[^ ]++)\2(http|https|ftp)\3(:|%3a)(/|%2f)
+{2}([^&'"]+)\4\5"
Replace = "<a href="\3://$UESC(\4)" class=proxlink>[Direct]</a>\1="\2
\3://\4\5"

The Match and Replace lines should each be on one line. They've probably
wrapped in your newsreader.

The filtered page will show the original link plus the direct link
alongside, identified as [Direct]. Click on that.

This filter works for most sites that support redirects, not just Simtel.
 
jason said:
Sure thing. Glad to spread the countermeasures. ;)

BTW, doesn't Agent support "Reconstruct Thread" or something similar??
Not being a smart alek here, I'm genuinely curious...
Click to expand...

No "reconstruct thread" clicky for us. Manual method. H key to display all
headers as part of the message - to expose the References: line. Then click
recursively, to bring in previous messages from thread. This will of course
just follow upwards along the reply-to chain. There is no pleasant way to
go back to getting all messages under a subject header. What does Xnews do,
with its "reconstruct thread" ?


[leaving this in, my part for spreading the good word]
Name = "Bypass redirects in links (COMPLEX)"
Active = TRUE
Bounds = "<a(rea|)\s*[^\-]>"
Limit = 256
Match = "(*(href|onclick))\1="(?[^ ]++)\2(http|https|ftp)\3(:|%3a)(/|%2f)
+{2}([^&'"]+)\4\5"
Replace = "<a href="\3://$UESC(\4)" class=proxlink>[Direct]</a>\1="\2
\3://\4\5"

The Match and Replace lines should each be on one line. They've probably
wrapped in your newsreader.

The filtered page will show the original link plus the direct link
alongside, identified as [Direct]. Click on that.

This filter works for most sites that support redirects, not just Simtel.
Click to expand...

Two nominations in one. Most valuable freeware of the year: Proxo. Suckiest
download site of the year: Simtel.
 
omega wrote:

No "reconstruct thread" clicky for us. Manual method. H key to display
all headers as part of the message - to expose the References: line.
Then click recursively, to bring in previous messages from thread.
This will of course just follow upwards along the reply-to chain.
There is no pleasant way to go back to getting all messages under a
subject header.
Click to expand...

Gah! And you actually PAY for that program?!
What does Xnews do, with its "reconstruct thread" ?
Click to expand...

One click reconstructs the whole thread!
 
[email protected] said:
I missed the 'filter' posting...? could you please re-post for me?
thankyou very much!
Click to expand...

Sure thing. Glad to spread the countermeasures. ;)

BTW, doesn't Agent support "Reconstruct Thread" or something similar??
Not being a smart alek here, I'm genuinely curious...

Name = "Bypass redirects in links (COMPLEX)"
Active = TRUE
Bounds = "<a(rea|)\s*[^\-]>"
Limit = 256
Match = "(*(href|onclick))\1="(?[^ ]++)\2(http|https|ftp)\3(:|%3a)(/|%2f)
+{2}([^&'"]+)\4\5"
Replace = "<a href="\3://$UESC(\4)" class=proxlink>[Direct]</a>\1="\2
\3://\4\5"

The Match and Replace lines should each be on one line. They've probably
wrapped in your newsreader.

The filtered page will show the original link plus the direct link
alongside, identified as [Direct]. Click on that.

This filter works for most sites that support redirects, not just Simtel.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much!
Allen
 
Yes.

< snip >

The first header item in the articles pane is "Lines" or "thread".

A single click on that gets "thread" if it isn't already in threaded
mode.

Regards, John.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand your answer. If you click on Thread", that
brings up all the posts to date in that thread?
 
I'm not sure I understand your answer. If you click on Thread", that
brings up all the posts to date in that thread?
Click to expand...

No, John F. is misinterpreting the question. Clicking on "Thread" in
Agent simply organizes the existing message headers in thread order,
it does not re-download missing threads. This is a feature I have
requested previously from Forte in the wish list for Agent 2.0.
 
john p. wrote in
No, John F. is misinterpreting the question. Clicking on "Thread" in
Agent simply organizes the existing message headers in thread order,
it does not re-download missing threads. This is a feature I have
requested previously from Forte in the wish list for Agent 2.0.
Click to expand...

Thanks John. I've always been puzzled why people ask for messages to be
reposted. I figure...why don't they just re-download the missing thread?
While I knew OE didn't have that capability, I had assumed major news
readers like Agent would. So this clears things up. We'll just have to
repost for people who aren't using Xnews. Though I'd like to think some of
the other news readers - like Super Gravity or Dialog - have this feature.
Maybe somebody reading this will respond...
 
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