Author Topic: New forum Tracer feature (Read 10513 times)

Computer Hope Admin · « **on:** May 14, 2009, 01:14:16 PM »

I've recently come across Tynt Tracer a new web program that enables a web developer to see what people are copying from your web site and also embed the link it came from into the clipboard, so when that data is pasted elsewhere users can know where it came from. It seems that this tool could really be beneficial for everyone. So let me know what you think.

Example.

Quote

In system properties, click on display adapters. It should show you which card you have. System information on start up will show it as well. Knowing the make without a number to go with it may not help unless it uses a driver from Microsoft.

Read more: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,83021.0.html#ixzz0FVfFaCTL&B

In the above example the paragraph is what was copied and the Read more: <link> is what was added by the application. When this is done it's also logged allowing me to see what users are finding most useful/enjoy the most. This also works for images and other content and will not add the extra content for small content copied, e.g. a word or a few words.

computeruler · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2009, 03:21:25 PM »

Thats pretty cool!

CBMatt · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2009, 06:00:54 PM »

It appears that the forum is now using Tynt Tracer... When did this start? Has it actually provided any benefit?

Computer Hope Admin · « **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2009, 06:06:44 PM »

Have found one potential thing I don't care for, looking at things people have been copying. I've noticed a few people copying batch files or other code and that being added to the end of the code, which could cause issues.

Computer Hope Admin · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2009, 06:10:13 PM »

Quote from: CBMatt on May 14, 2009, 06:00:54 PM

It appears that the forum is now using Trynt Tracer... When did this start? Has it actually provided any benefit?

Just happened earlier today, can't really say for certain if it's provided benefit, but giving it a try since the concept seems as if it could. Additional details on this post.

evilfantasy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 14, 2009, 06:24:12 PM »

That explains the page refresh I've noticed when copying content.

CBMatt · « **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2009, 06:34:11 PM »

Heh, that must be why I hadn't noticed it until today. I was a bit concerned when the page acted like it was refreshing every time I copied something. My first thought was keyloggers, but I visited the site and read up on it a little. It's an interesting concept, but I must admit that I'm a bit concerned about privacy. I can imagine that some people might not want people to know what content they are copying. I'm assuming that it doesn't keep track of who copies what. But even if it doesn't, I think it might be a good idea to post a disclaimer and add it to the News heading of the forum.

evilfantasy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2009, 06:34:26 PM »

As usual with new stuff like this I don't understand how this works whatsoever LOL. $:-\$

I copy every HJT log I work on. That won't create any issues will it?

Computer Hope Admin · « **Reply #8 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:02:22 PM »

Quote from: evilfantasy on May 14, 2009, 06:34:26 PM

As usual with new stuff like this I don't understand how this works whatsoever LOL. $:-\$

I copy every HJT log I work on. That won't create any issues will it?

Hmm, that's a good question that I didn't take into consideration. I found two recent posts containing a combofix and hijackthis post and posted them in the Computer Hope process tool and didn't encounter any issues with it. However, that's not to say other tools you may use may have an issue. If they do, let me know and I'll either find a fix and/or remove this feature.

Computer Hope Admin · « **Reply #9 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:07:33 PM »

Quote from: CBMatt on May 14, 2009, 06:34:11 PM

Heh, that must be why I hadn't noticed it until today. I was a bit concerned when the page acted like it was refreshing every time I copied something. My first thought was keyloggers, but I visited the site and read up on it a little. It's an interesting concept, but I must admit that I'm a bit concerned about privacy. I can imagine that some people might not want people to know what content they are copying. I'm assuming that it doesn't keep track of who copies what. But even if it doesn't, I think it might be a good idea to post a disclaimer and add it to the News heading of the forum.

Nope, who copies the information isn't really relevant and as far as I can tell is not copied or displayed in the statistics. What is captured is the following:

Top Words
Top Pages
Images copied
Top Referring Domains

Really no value of seeing who copied what, unless I guess you were concerned about copyright infringements I guess.

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #10 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:09:34 PM »

Interesting feature....

Do we have access to these stats?

Computer Hope Admin · « **Reply #11 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:11:02 PM »

Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on May 14, 2009, 07:09:34 PM

Interesting feature....

Do we have access to these stats?

Nope, doesn't have a way yet to allow others to view them without having access to the full account. But I have no issues with sharing them.

evilfantasy · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:15:25 PM »

It's not an issue but using another HJT analyzer leaves an entry at the bottom which is the link back to the topic.

It's not an issue as long as nobody can use any of the information to find the analyzer I use. It's not password protected page but it is a private link.

Checking: Read more: <link removed>

I can get around the Tracer feature adding the link to what I copy so it's no big deal.

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:19:19 PM »

Heh, ok. Perhaps at the end of the week.

I just noticed that when I highlight a piece of text the page refreshes, and if I press CTRL + C the page refreshes once more.
Is that suppose to happen?

CBMatt · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:46:18 PM »

Quote from: Computer Hope Admin on May 14, 2009, 07:07:33 PM

Nope, who copies the information isn't really relevant and as far as I can tell is not copied or displayed in the statistics. What is captured is the following:

Top Words
Top Pages
Images copied
Top Referring Domains

Really no value of seeing who copied what, unless I guess you were concerned about copyright infringements I guess.

Ah, so it only keeps track of the top statistics? Okay, I guess that's not so bad. See, I was under the impression that it gave you a list of every single thing that is copied. I assumed that if I had (for example) typed something offensive and then highlighted and deleted it, it would show up in a list of things that had been copied. If that were the case, someone who might copy and paste a word from the login page would then have their password added to the list. Also, some people like to type notes to themselves for later use, and some of these notes could be private. Stuff like that is what made me have concerns about privacy.

Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on May 14, 2009, 07:19:19 PM

Heh, ok. Perhaps at the end of the week.

I just noticed that when I highlight a piece of text the page refreshes, and if I press CTRL + C the page refreshes once more.
Is that suppose to happen?

This is normal. By looking at the forum's source code, I can see that the tracer is implemented via a JavaScript library. So, whenever text is highlighted, it most likely calls a function to send the selected text back to their site, where it is processed and sorted. It's not actually refreshing the page, but sending data. If your pages are actually refreshing (loading the page all over again), then I don't know what would be causing such an issue.

Computer Hope Admin · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2009, 08:41:09 PM »

Quote from: evilfantasy on May 14, 2009, 07:15:25 PM

It's not an issue but using another HJT analyzer leaves an entry at the bottom which is the link back to the topic.

It's not an issue as long as nobody can use any of the information to find the analyzer I use. It's not password protected page but it is a private link.

Checking: Read more: <link removed>

I can get around the Tracer feature adding the link to what I copy so it's no big deal.

Where ever the text is pasted is not logged, wouldn't be possible. However, if the link is followed from the source page that referring domain (not page) would be logged. If you want to see everything I can see or for those interested view the below video demonstration.

http://tracer.tynt.com/tracer-demonstration

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #16 on:** May 14, 2009, 08:43:33 PM »

Quote from: Copy and Paste

Top Words
Top Pages
Images copied
Top Referring Domains

Read more: "Tynt Tracer?" - <link removed>

Is that last line necessary?
How about instead of adding that to every Copy and Paste, just include it in the News at the top of the page.
'Check out our forums new Tynt Tracer feature.'

Zylstra · « **Reply #17 on:** May 14, 2009, 09:56:01 PM »

I was trying to copy a selection of text to verify if it was spam or not... and each time I copied it, I couldent do an exact search result due to the fact that it kept adding the link onto the copy.

It took me a while to figure out what was going on. I don't usually swear at my computer.
Nevertheless, I got it eventually.

Zylstra · « **Reply #18 on:** May 14, 2009, 10:03:12 PM »

It does seem that the script is on the login page, however, I tried to copy information from inside the password and username fields, and it appears to do nothing.

Do we know if the script also sends information when its submitted?

CBMatt · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2009, 04:33:39 AM »

Quote from: Zylstra on May 14, 2009, 10:03:12 PM

It does seem that the script is on the login page, however, I tried to copy information from inside the password and username fields, and it appears to do nothing.

You're right, it appears to be disabled for textboxes. It works on textareas, but copying information in a textbox doesn't seem to do anything.

I wish there was a way of using this without it having to send information via the current browser/document window. I copy/paste a lot of things when posting on here, and the constant clicking sound is starting to bug me a little. Heh.

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #20 on:** May 15, 2009, 05:09:12 AM »

Quote

and the constant clicking sound is starting to bug me a little. Heh.

~~Read more: "Tynt Tracer?" - http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=83497.0;topicseen#ixzz0FZYIvbeG&A~~

I see you're still using Internet Explorer?

CBMatt · « **Reply #21 on:** May 15, 2009, 05:41:12 AM »

Yup. Unlike many others, I actually don't like Firefox and prefer to stick with IE6 (I refuse to "upgrade" to the mess that is IE7). I only use Firefox when I absolutely have to (usually when designing sites for school). To make it more familiar to me, I actually installed an add-on that uses the IE link-clicking sound.

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #22 on:** May 15, 2009, 05:46:09 AM »

Lol. I refuse to get both IE7 or 8. Unlike you, I only use Internet Explorer when I absolutely have to, for example Windows Updates.

WillyW · « **Reply #23 on:** May 15, 2009, 08:15:09 AM »

Quote from: CBMatt on May 15, 2009, 05:41:12 AM

Yup. Unlike many others, I actually don't like Firefox and prefer to stick with IE6 (I refuse to "upgrade" to the mess that is IE7). I only use Firefox when I absolutely have to (usually when designing sites for school). To make it more familiar to me, I actually installed an add-on that uses the IE link-clicking sound.

I use FF here, and have not noticed this thing when highlighting and copying.
Venturing a guess, it is due to also using the No Script script blocker.
I haven't experimented at all to prove or disprovel this.

Just curious, is there a similar add-on for IE? some sort of script blocker?

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #24 on:** May 15, 2009, 08:22:34 AM »

I just enabled No-Script in FF and it appears Tynt Tracer no longer works.
Not bad, Jacky.

However, the Quick Reply feature seems to be blocked as well.

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #25 on:** May 15, 2009, 10:45:53 AM »

Strange... This topic just appeared in my Unread Topics. Last reply by me, two hours ago.

EDIT: I just found out why: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,83521.0/topicseen.html

Computer Hope Admin · « **Reply #26 on:** May 15, 2009, 10:52:51 AM »

Quote

It does seem that the script is on the login page, however, I tried to copy information from inside the password and username fields, and it appears to do nothing.
Do we know if the script also sends information when its submitted?

The script will not do anything with text that is copied or submitted in text fields or web page forums.

Quote

I wish there was a way of using this without it having to send information via the current browser/document window. I copy/paste a lot of things when posting on here, and the constant clicking sound is starting to bug me a little. Heh.

That would be annoying, sorry about that. Personally I don't know how you'd even deal with the clicking noise all this time. That was one of the first things I disabled when it was introduced with an older version of IE. (Can be disabled through the sound properties).

Finally, for anyone concerned although haven't got too much backlash yet about it, still just testing this feature, I'm still undecided at this point if I'm going to keep it or not. For those interested I've attached a printed PDF of the stats page. This is just for a partial day, but I'm pretty impressed with the information gathered and how helpful it could be. This is just also for the Computer Hope forums, which I'm using as a test grounds, have not implemented it on the full site.

[attachment deleted by admin]

CBMatt · « **Reply #27 on:** May 15, 2009, 04:09:21 PM »

Quote

That would be annoying, sorry about that. Personally I don't know how you'd even deal with the clicking noise all this time. That was one of the first things I disabled when it was introduced with an older version of IE. (Can be disabled through the sound properties).

It may sound a bit odd, but there's some sort of comforting familiarity with the clicking noise. I don't know why, but it bugs me when I click on links or the Back/Forward buttons and there's no "click". I had disabled it once, but that didn't last long. It's just something I've always been used to; it feels so quiet without the clicking sound. But to hear it every time I copy something on here is a bit much. It's not really that big of a deal, though, I suppose.

evilfantasy · « **Reply #28 on:** May 15, 2009, 04:16:16 PM »

Copy Plain Text https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/134 will let you copy the text without it adding the link.

Or use the

button and copy it that way.

Or... Quote the text and copy it from the reply box.

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #29 on:** May 17, 2009, 04:49:00 AM »

I just used IE for a brief moment. The clicking sounds were horrible!

It seemed to be 'tracing' in text boxes as well.

Karnac · « **Reply #30 on:** May 18, 2009, 07:16:46 AM »

Well , I tried to highlight and copy and it freezes the screen, cursor, and after about 10 seconds the menu finally opens and then I have to close the page to get out of it....XP Pro, IE7

Computer Hope Admin · « **Reply #31 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:36:37 AM »

Quote from: Karnac on May 18, 2009, 07:16:46 AM

Well , I tried to highlight and copy and it freezes the screen, cursor, and after about 10 seconds the menu finally opens and then I have to close the page to get out of it....XP Pro, IE7

Hmm, this happens every time? Or was this just a one time occurrence?

Karnac · « **Reply #32 on:** May 18, 2009, 11:06:30 AM »

It's happening every time....before I noticed the url (tynt.com) pop up at the bottom I thought it was some malware problem...I ran the scans to be sure...then I looked for the Copyscape ID that prevents copying the page.

What happens is I can highlight the text, then right click and wait 10-15 seconds for the menu to open, press copy and everything freezes......sometimes it copies , sometimes it doesn't.......

CBMatt · « **Reply #33 on:** May 19, 2009, 12:52:03 AM »

I've actually been noticing a similar issue on my own computer (IE6 on XP SP3). Everything goes smoothly at first, but after awhile, I start experiencing lag when I highlight anything. It's worse when trying to use the context menu, as Karnac has described. In fact, I just messed around with it and this is what happened...

I highlighted a couple of words and right-clicked.
About 5-8 seconds later, the context menu finally showed up.
I clicked on Copy and it took a few more seconds for the context menu to go away.
I then had to wait an additional 3-5 seconds for my cursor to become response. When hovering over a hyperlink, I had to wait for it to switch from an arrow to a hand.
From then on, the lag was significantly worse than before, even if only highlighting without any action.

The amount of text highlighted doesn't appear to have any impact on this. However, it does seem to differ from page to page. For instance, when replying to a post, there isn't any lag at all. In fact, it even seems to somehow "reset" the problem temporarily. It could just be a fluke for Karnac and I, but it appears to me that this might not be IE-friendly. Maybe it would be a good idea to have a few people test it in IE to see if anyone else has any issues.

Karnac · « **Reply #34 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:30:58 AM »

Thanks CBMatt...I thought I was going nuts,....I'm using SP3 as well..........Ctrl+Copy works fine , but to copy and paste the problem is as described......you can see the problem as the page slowly reloads as the page is read(?) by Tracer....the browser bar drags slowly to completion, then it freezes.

evilfantasy · « **Reply #35 on:** May 19, 2009, 11:20:10 AM »

I've found a big issue.

Users copying CFScripts....

CBMatt · « **Reply #36 on:** May 19, 2009, 06:25:10 PM »

Quote from: Karnac on May 19, 2009, 07:30:58 AM

Thanks CBMatt...I thought I was going nuts,....I'm using SP3 as well..........Ctrl+Copy works fine , but to copy and paste the problem is as described......you can see the problem as the page slowly reloads as the page is read(?) by Tracer....the browser bar drags slowly to completion, then it freezes.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Oddly, this page actually seems to be one of the worst for me.

Quote from: evilfantasy on May 19, 2009, 11:20:10 AM

I've found a big issue.

Users copying CFScripts....

What do you mean? Are you concerned about the content? Or are users having lag/freezing difficulties when trying to copy the scripts?

evilfantasy · « **Reply #37 on:** May 19, 2009, 06:31:19 PM »

Chris, I started a topic in the Malware Specialist forum. We probably shouldn't go into CF in an open forum. That's a can of worms...

Helpmeh · « **Reply #38 on:** May 19, 2009, 06:37:28 PM »

Quote from: CBMatt on May 19, 2009, 06:25:10 PM

What do you mean? Are you concerned about the content? Or are users having lag/freezing difficulties when trying to copy the scripts?

If it adds content to the end of the CFScripts, it may cause the fixing process to crash/freeze/corrupt. (Right?)

CBMatt · « **Reply #39 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:56:34 PM »

Quote from: Helpmeh on May 19, 2009, 06:37:28 PM

If it adds content to the end of the CFScripts, it may cause the fixing process to crash/freeze/corrupt. (Right?)

I would expect it to cause trouble; I just wasn't actually sure what the issue was. But it looks like there is a problem with how text is being copied. I'll just leave it at that for now.

Quote from: evilfantasy on May 19, 2009, 06:31:19 PM

Chris, I started a topic in the Malware Specialist forum. We probably shouldn't go into CF in an open forum. That's a can of worms...

In this case, I don't think openly discussing the problem would be an issue, but to be on the safe side, I will post over in the Specialist section about it from now on.

evilfantasy · « **Reply #40 on:** May 19, 2009, 08:16:23 PM »

Thanks...

Karnac · « **Reply #41 on:** May 20, 2009, 12:13:59 AM »

Just in case I hadn't mentioned previously the new forum Tracer feature sucks......sorry to be so blunt but its a real nuisance.

patio · « **Reply #42 on:** May 20, 2009, 01:00:03 PM »

Not sure what anyone is seeing on their end but it is slowing down page loads here today...

evilfantasy · « **Reply #43 on:** May 20, 2009, 01:01:39 PM »

Yes I've had a few pages get stuck in the 'refresh' action after copying text.

Computer Hope Admin · « **Reply #44 on:** May 21, 2009, 04:51:08 AM »

Thank you everyone for your feedback (all of it). Never worry about hurting my feelings or being blunt I always appreciate it, no need to protect your true feelings.

I've also experienced issues with it with my testing in IE and overall it seems we have more issues then it's really worth. So I've removed this feature from the forums.

Helpmeh · « **Reply #45 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:37:53 AM »

Quote from: Computer Hope Admin on May 21, 2009, 04:51:08 AM

Thank you everyone for your feedback (all of it). Never worry about hurting my feelings or being blunt I always appreciate it, no need to protect your true feelings.

I've also experienced issues with it with my testing in IE and overall it seems we have more issues then it's really worth. So I've removed this feature from the forums.

Thank you. Not only was it an annoyance, it could potentially harm someone's computer when they paste in a CFScript to clean their computer.

CBMatt · « **Reply #46 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:49:51 AM »

Thanks, Nathan. It wasn't a bad idea, but I thought it was causing a few too many problems. If I happen to come across an alternative, I'll let you know.

Karnac · « **Reply #47 on:** May 21, 2009, 07:03:56 AM »

Thanks Nathan.....all is well again.

Computer Hope Forum

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Author Topic: New forum Tracer feature (Read 10513 times)

Computer Hope Admin

computeruler

CBMatt

Computer Hope Admin

Computer Hope Admin

evilfantasy

CBMatt

evilfantasy

Computer Hope Admin

Computer Hope Admin

Carbon Dudeoxide

Computer Hope Admin

evilfantasy

Carbon Dudeoxide

CBMatt

Computer Hope Admin

Carbon Dudeoxide

Zylstra

Zylstra

CBMatt

Carbon Dudeoxide

CBMatt

Carbon Dudeoxide

WillyW

Carbon Dudeoxide

Carbon Dudeoxide

Computer Hope Admin

CBMatt

evilfantasy

Carbon Dudeoxide

Karnac

Computer Hope Admin

Karnac

CBMatt

Karnac

evilfantasy

CBMatt

evilfantasy

Helpmeh

CBMatt

evilfantasy

Karnac

patio

evilfantasy

Computer Hope Admin

Helpmeh

CBMatt

Karnac