Auto links in Sailnet Posts - don't like them

[dylanwinter1]

The auto-links in sailnet posts make me sad

reminds me that commerce is watching what I post and cheapens the copy

I did click a few when they first started appearing...

I don't click them anymore

are they pulling their weight?

Dylan

[MattSplatt]

+1

or is that -10 ?
Anyway, add my voice to this. They're awful, they make it harder to read, and they often break legitimate links.

[bigdogandy]

What is an autolink?

[dylanwinter1]

Originally Posted by bigdogandy

What is an autolink?

they appear when you use words such as radio, rigging, lines, shackles,rig, hinge, winch,

[BentSailor]

And they appear without you adding the links yourself (just to be clear). It can make it seem like the person writing the post is adding them. For example, it is not possible to tell which link is mine or SailNet's in the following (without clicking first): "I've a line on a good deal", "They came here from Mexico to have an anchor baby", etc.

Personally, not a big fan.

[SimonV]

They may be the cause of Sailnet being so slow, I don't open them either.

[BentSailor]

I don't think they're causing the slowdown, they're just annoying.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by dylanwinter1

The auto-links in sailnet posts make me sad

reminds me that commerce is watching what I post and cheapens the copy

I did click a few when they first started appearing...

I don't click them anymore

are they pulling their weight?

Dylan

Yep this FREE forum you are using for FREE is supported by a BUSINESS to maintain the fact that it is FREE...... If those linked words help drive revenue and keep the forum alive and FREE we all benefit...

[dylanwinter1]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

Yep this FREE forum you are using for FREE is supported by a BUSINESS to maintain the fact that it is FREE...... If those linked words help drive revenue and keep the forum alive and FREE we all benefit...

good point....

in part

but

forums are competing in a market for eyes

this forum is in competition with other forums dealing with largely similar subjects

all of which are free

and none of the others I visit have the auto links

and I have never come across a forum that you have to pay to be on

it is of course the forum owners choice

however, in my opinion links that no-one clicks on are a bit pointless

links that act as a disincentive to posters and viewers are counter productive

as some-one else said - they are just the tiniest bit annoying

however, if your stats suggest that they are worth having......

rig up a few more and that might winch in the posters

Dylan

[jklingenstein]

Originally Posted by BentSailor

I don't think they're causing the slowdown, they're just annoying.

+1
VERY annoying