You now must be registered to download files from the site

Mickey · 08-15-2005, 10:05 PM

In a move that I really didn't want to have to make, you now must be registered on the site to be able to download files. I had no intention of ever requiring this, but there are a few large sites out there that have chosen to hotlink our files, costing us money that we can't afford.

Therefore, we now require that you register on the site before you can download. Registration is free, and it's really not a big deal, but I still feel very badly about having to require it.

You can leave your comments in this thread.

Thanks,
Mickey

Steeefan · 08-15-2005, 11:05 PM

That sure is a bad thing but I think that's the only way of keeping the costs in control. I'm absolutely not cheering about that but I totally agree with you.

Aus-Globetrotter · 08-15-2005, 11:28 PM

If requiring registration is necessary to keep down costs, then it is a worthwhile venture, I say. Through sheer laziness I had not yet registered, even though I have used this site since its begining (also, I didn't think I should register until I had something really worthwhile to contribute!).

Thanks for all the work so far Mickey - without a doubt the best GE site round.

deathpasser · 08-17-2005, 04:24 AM

Registration shouldn't be a big deal at all. It took me under 5 minutes to register, tis a snap. I would've found it rather surprising if anyone actually complained about it (apparently no body has though

)

But personally I never did like registering to sites much and it does drive people away sometimes. (except this place and some others which I actually planned on revisiting)

Graham Toal · 08-17-2005, 04:26 AM

You don't need to require logins in order to stop off-site deep linking.

You can simply have your download cgi's check the "Referer:" field in the HTTP request. If it comes from your own site, you allow it, otherwise put up an error page objecting to deep linking.

dan · 08-17-2005, 10:59 AM

I agree too. Its bad, but what else to do? But i noticed the decrease of daily downloads at my Files. Hope everybody will register.

green_lantern · 08-17-2005, 11:28 AM

I think that`s absolut ok,
I´m using this site since the first week it hitted
and registered just one week later.

great site!

Mickey · 08-17-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Toal

You don't need to require logins in order to stop off-site deep linking.

You can simply have your download cgi's check the "Referer:" field in the HTTP request. If it comes from your own site, you allow it, otherwise put up an error page objecting to deep linking.

I played with that a bit but was having a hard time making it work with our current download script. While I've rewritten most of the script (which I originally downloaded), the code that initiates the download is the still the original mess.

At some point (when I have time - hah!), I'll re-write the download script, integrate referrer checking, then disable the required registration.

bubu · 08-17-2005, 08:04 PM

I agree that you ask for a registration to keep costs low. But - may be I'm too stupid - I'm no more able to download a file. Everytime I click on a link I'm redirected to the download page with the message "You must log-in to be able to download this file." :?

Mickey · 08-17-2005, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubu

I agree that you ask for a registration to keep costs low. But - may be I'm too stupid - I'm no more able to download a file. Everytime I click on a link I'm redirected to the download page with the message "You must log-in to be able to download this file." :?

Sounds like it's probably a cookie problem. Does the message board remember who you are, or do you have to log-in every time?

TheRealMccoy · 08-18-2005, 12:13 PM

Unfortunately there are lamers who try to link directly :-x

It doesn't bother me to be registered to download since I am registered since the first day I discovered this site

araT · 08-18-2005, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubu

I agree that you ask for a registration to keep costs low. But - may be I'm too stupid - I'm no more able to download a file. Everytime I click on a link I'm redirected to the download page with the message "You must log-in to be able to download this file." :?

bubu, See this thread - I just explained the potential errors to someone else, you arent the only one with this issue. Hope the thread helps!

T.

bubu · 08-18-2005, 06:06 PM

Thanks for your help, the problem is solved. After posting my question all downloads worked fine.
I think that Mickey was right, it seemed to be a cookie problem.
Thanks again for your help and have a nice time. :-)

araT · 08-19-2005, 12:10 PM

Anytime bubu

anything we can do to help, just let us know

Welcome to GEH, we hope you have many fun times here!

T.

wmbaum · 08-23-2005, 08:13 PM

Quote:

At some point (when I have time - hah!), I'll re-write the download script, integrate referrer checking, then disable the required registration.

Just use a rewriterule with mod_rewrite.

You really have two issues. Do you want to limit downloads to people actually browsing your site, or do you simply want to prevent links on other sites? IOW, what about emailed/bookmarked/pasted links without referrer?

You can prevent hotlinking fairly effectively by simply rejecting bad referrers, while allowing local and blank referrers.

08-15-2005, 10:05 PM	#1
Mickey Administrator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,328	You now must be registered to download files from the site In a move that I really didn't want to have to make, you now must be registered on the site to be able to download files. I had no intention of ever requiring this, but there are a few large sites out there that have chosen to hotlink our files, costing us money that we can't afford. Therefore, we now require that you register on the site before you can download. Registration is free, and it's really not a big deal, but I still feel very badly about having to require it. You can leave your comments in this thread. Thanks, Mickey

08-15-2005, 11:05 PM	#2
Steeefan Lost In Johansson Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: 49° 54' 60.00"N, 7° 3' 60.00"E Posts: 311	That sure is a bad thing but I think that's the only way of keeping the costs in control. I'm absolutely not cheering about that but I totally agree with you. __________________ -Steeefan To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-15-2005, 11:28 PM	#3
Aus-Globetrotter Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 37°49'S 144°57'E Posts: 1	Finally motivated... If requiring registration is necessary to keep down costs, then it is a worthwhile venture, I say. Through sheer laziness I had not yet registered, even though I have used this site since its begining (also, I didn't think I should register until I had something really worthwhile to contribute!). Thanks for all the work so far Mickey - without a doubt the best GE site round.

08-17-2005, 04:26 AM	#5
Graham Toal Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1	How about using "Referer" instead? You don't need to require logins in order to stop off-site deep linking. You can simply have your download cgi's check the "Referer:" field in the HTTP request. If it comes from your own site, you allow it, otherwise put up an error page objecting to deep linking.

08-17-2005, 10:59 AM	#6
dan Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 16	Full ACK I agree too. Its bad, but what else to do? But i noticed the decrease of daily downloads at my Files. Hope everybody will register.

08-17-2005, 04:24 AM	#4
deathpasser Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3	Registration shouldn't be a big deal at all. It took me under 5 minutes to register, tis a snap. I would've found it rather surprising if anyone actually complained about it (apparently no body has though ) But personally I never did like registering to sites much and it does drive people away sometimes. (except this place and some others which I actually planned on revisiting)

08-17-2005, 11:28 AM	#7
green_lantern Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5	I think that`s absolut ok, I´m using this site since the first week it hitted and registered just one week later. great site!

08-17-2005, 08:04 PM	#9
bubu Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2	Registration is ok but ... I agree that you ask for a registration to keep costs low. But - may be I'm too stupid - I'm no more able to download a file. Everytime I click on a link I'm redirected to the download page with the message "You must log-in to be able to download this file." :?

08-18-2005, 12:13 PM	#11
TheRealMccoy Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: France Posts: 14	Unfortunately there are lamers who try to link directly :-x It doesn't bother me to be registered to download since I am registered since the first day I discovered this site

08-18-2005, 06:06 PM	#13
bubu Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2	Thanks for your help, the problem is solved. After posting my question all downloads worked fine. I think that Mickey was right, it seemed to be a cookie problem. Thanks again for your help and have a nice time. :-)

08-19-2005, 12:10 PM	#14
araT Licensed to Ban Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, Oz Posts: 1,244	Anytime bubu anything we can do to help, just let us know Welcome to GEH, we hope you have many fun times here! T.

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