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Author Topic: http://www.gmail.com  (Read 200228 times)

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Raptor

  • Guest
http://www.gmail.com
« on: September 30, 2004, 11:30:51 AM »
When I type http://www.gmail.com the URL changes into this https://gmail.google.com/?dest=http%3A%2F%2Fgmail.google.com%2Fgmail

It works the same and there's nothing wrong, (Just in case you start thinking Windows XP is throwing a mutiny again, Merlin  ;) ) but I am just curious as to why it would do that.
« Last Edit: September 30, 2004, 11:31:54 AM by Raptor »

merlin_2

  • Guest
Re: http://www.gmail.com
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2004, 12:19:52 PM »
maybe the website script?  :D and if you pc does a mutiny...will you walk the plank ;D

Corrosive

  • Guest
Re: http://www.gmail.com
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2004, 12:54:57 PM »
It's quite common practice for webmasters to do that sort of thing. Often, it's simply a redirect to a specific version of a site (say, if Flash or Javascript is not detected, it would put you to a HTML and Images only version). They sometimes also use this to show referrer information etc.

Another thing webmasters sometimes do is buy multiple domains. In this case, I think Google are hosting this on gmail.google.com but, quite rightly, spotted that it wasn't exactly the snappiest URL. So, they bought gmail.com and simply pointed it at the original server.

The latter part of the URL to me looks like a bit of validation or verificaction of some sort. An additional security measure, perhaps? ???

Raptor

  • Guest
Re: http://www.gmail.com
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2004, 01:10:24 PM »
Quote
The latter part of the URL to me looks like a bit of validation or verificaction of some sort. An additional security measure, perhaps?


Firefox is showing a Lock icon in the navigation bar. Must be the additional security measure. It doesn't appear on any other secured websites, though.

Thanks for the information Corrosive, I appreciate it that you digged up my little thread and gave me my long awaited answer.  ;)

2k dummy

  • Guest
Re: http://www.gmail.com
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2004, 01:18:22 PM »
The URL is a simple redirect. Hover the mouse pointer over it and look at the status bar.

Raptor

  • Guest
Re: http://www.gmail.com
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2004, 01:29:41 PM »
Quote
The URL is a simple redirect. Hover the mouse pointer over it and look at the status bar.


I understand that, I was just curious as to why the adress would be written like that.

2k dummy

  • Guest
Re: http://www.gmail.com
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2004, 01:44:38 PM »
http://%73%70%61%6D%74%72%61%70%40%6E%65%74%73%63%61%70%65%2E%6E%65%74

Its just obfuscated. The non observant user will not notice that it is being redirected to a non-secure server.