Am I the only one who thinks this would be a good idea?

[The Deacon]

Assuming it is possible, that is.

Here's the deal. Several of the knife forums I visit regularly, including this one, BladeForums, and BritishBlades run on VBulletin's software. On all of them when trying to add a hyperlink or image url to a post, it is necessary to first backspace out the http:// which appears in the little pop-up window. It would seem that this is a default setting of the software.

Now I don't know about anyone else, but I think posting links and image urls would be much simpler if that http:// did NOT appear in the window. I know I've screwed up when posting links because of it. I also know that the majority of times when a link does not work, editing out the extra http:// solves the problem.

I realize this may be something the forum webfolk cannot "fix", since it's so univeral, but assuming it is possible, would you want the http:// removed?

[MAT888]

That explains why i have had some troubles embedding you tube video's. I did not now the http;// caused the problem.

photobucket for pictures did not cause problems so far.

Thanks for pointing this out. I think if it is possible it would be a good idea. I know they already removed the www. which is not longer needed on the net so i think it should be possible.

Thanks

[The Deacon]

Just to clarify a bit, it is necessary to have http:// at the beginning of every link and image url. However, I (and I am assuming most people) copy the url from another tab or session where the page/image is running, and paste it into the "add link" window rather than keying it in by hand. When you do it that way (copy and paste) the http:// in the "add link" window must be removed, since the url you copied inevitably includes it. If you type the address in by hand, then having the http:// already in place saves you time and keystrokes. I do realize some photo hosting services do give you an option for "link for posting on forums using VB tags" which eliminates the need to use the image url window completely.

[David Lowry]

I notice that when I do it (using firefox) that the http:// part is already highlighted (selected). So if I hit CTRL + V to paste my URL in there it just auto-deletes the selected http://.

I guess if people are not leaving it highlited and then posting after it I would think it would be the problem of the person doing it.

I've never had an issue with it. Does it act differently in Internet Explorer? I ask because I refuse to use IE. :)

Here's a pic of what I mean by it already being selected.

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/1354/insertlinkdi5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[yablanowitz]

I generally copy and paste directly into the body of my post instead of using the add boxes. I hadn't even noticed what you are talking about. I guess that puts me solidly into the "whatever" catagory. It won't matter either way for me.

[huugh]

I usually just type
[url=] or the [img=] tags

I guess I'm just too old fashioned :D

[dialex]

Hi Paul,

I really don't mind the http:// thing. I type it so oftenly it became an automatism. ;) But I got your point, and I think it could be a useful feature.
I'd rather set the software so it automatically recognizes the http:// and leaves it if it's present, or adds it if it's missing. I think all it takes is to compare the input string and modify it accordingly.

[The Deacon]

I notice that when I do it (using firefox) that the http:// part is already highlighted (selected). So if I hit CTRL + V to paste my URL in there it just auto-deletes the selected http://.

I guess if people are not leaving it highlited and then posting after it I would think it would be the problem of the person doing it.

I've never had an issue with it. Does it act differently in Internet Explorer? I ask because I refuse to use IE. :) Never realized Firefox did that, even when I was using it before. :o Always maually deleted it. And yes, it does act differently in IE, no highlighting, so it's easier to forget to delete, or not remove all of, the default http:// from the box. Now that I finally broke down and got a new computer, am back to using Firefox again (FF3 and my old one did not play well together for some reason) so will remember and use that system.

But still would be curious to know how often/seldom that default entry is actually helpful to anyone.

[224477]

I am not using this option too much, so cant really tell. :o

[MAT888]

I just copy and past normally in the writing post and almost never use the insert features. So normally i don't have these problems as signs aren't filled out for me. However with your tube.com its another matter . Very looooong strings and i can't /know the problem involved.:confused:

[Mr Blonde]

I know exactly what you mean, Paul. And I find it (IE) it a bit of an annoyance to have to get rid or select the existing http:// before inserting my new link.

Wouter