can you guys post something funny please?

The following is a simple "breakdown" of the URL in post #7125:

This is the original link that was posted:
https://www.startpage.com/av/proxy-image?piurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgflip.com%2F5mac5d.jpg&sp=1733661146Tff2da7e4f68e7163e47b4dcb653a293871c55d83d6913c0204ea4a913d64891a

If you replace the translated hexadecimal characters with the original characters:
https://www.startpage.com/av/proxy-image?piurl=https://i.imgflip.com/mac5d.jpg&sp=1733661146Tff2da7e4f68e7163e47b4dcb653a293871c55d83d6913c0204ea4a913d64891a

This is a 'redirect' type of URL - it "redirects" you to another site where the image resides.

If you extract the original URL from all of that:
https://i.imgflip.com/5mac5d.jpg

The big long alphanumerical string at the end of the original URL is the reason it "broke" - and, @Godsgirl1983 - why you yourself can no longer see it.

This string is associated with - and used by - startpage and not imgflip.

Because eeeeeeeeeeverybody these days want to track-and-trace every click and tap - various methods are used strictly for that purpose - which embed in the URL it-only-works-for-you-this-one-time information that ties it to the particular-and-specific series of clicks/taps that the person who accessed it made - as much as possible - before and after the click that resulted in viewing the image (in this case). They want to know where you came from to arrive there (which is generally always available) and where you go next (if it is available).

The big long string is unique to a specific time-and-place click that Godsgirl made. And, that is why it worked for her at the time but not later. Essentially, startpage does not want it to work unless you click a link on their site to access it. Thus, not allowing you to bypass their site by giving anyone else the ability to go directly to the image on the other site. And, they want to track-and-trace your clicks - otherwise, they simply will not allow it.

BTW - if startpage says they do not track or trace - they are lying! The proof is right here! Otherwise, they would simply redirect you directly to the image without the big long string being included in the URL.

I have seen this kind of thing on sites where you might wish to buy something - where they do not allow you to see the 'detail' information about the product unless they can track-and-trace your clicks/taps.

An example of this is - if I send you a link to the product information - and, include the "extra" piece of information they embed in the URL - then, you will be able to see it - and, they will know that I sent you the link (at the moment you click/tap it) - inasmuch as whatever they know about me through the circumstances at the time I originally clicked on the link to give me access to the product information.

However, if I remove that embedded "extra" and just send you the "normal" URL to the product information - you will not be able to see it.

They do this on purpose - not allowing you to access the information unless you let them track-and-trace your clicks/taps.

In the modern day, the corporate realm has adopted the attitude:

"We will not even talk to you unless you first tell us everything there is to know about you."

This and similar is unfortunately the mindset today.

And, because of it, many things on the internet are "broken" the moment you try to bypass the all-important track-and-trace process - because, they don't want to allow the possibility that they might miss out on any amount of data that can possibly be collected.

Of course, this varies from entity to entity and site to site - it is not the same level of stupid everywhere - it depends on just how much they want to keep you from accessing their data unless you allow them to track-and-trace you.

First off, due to browser complications (and me not using firefox) I was forced to only leave a reaction of when in fact it really needs to be
or even

Would love to show/explain what I learned, but I hit something and messed it all up but I think I (sort of) get it.

Would love to show/explain what I learned, but I hit something and messed it all up but I think I (sort of) get it.

@Godsgirl1983 - I am not against you darlin' - I am not trying to be harsh - I just want to encourage everyone (the previous post was "aimed" at everyone, not just you) to learn a bit about how URLs work so they can avoid causing problems in other folks seeing what they have posted. I really think it is worth the effort to learn - because, it will save time and effort on the part of others...

Otherwise, one person posts once - and then [possibly] hundreds/thousands of people have to "jump through hoops" just to see what the poster posted - while many will give up and never see it.

I sure hope so! Because, there will be a test on it tomorrow...

okay okay just kidding

Did you hit 'Smite' instead of 'Submit'...?

I don't know if he's saying taxes are gay and that's good or if taxes are gay and that's bad?

View attachment 271044

That's not exactly horrible.

I mean... I certainly enjoy this thread, but if I went my whole life without seeing a single picture in this thread I don't think I would suffer any great loss.

It's not exactly a good thing, not seeing funny pictures, but it's not enough of a bad thing that I would jump through hoops to avoid this bad thing.

And considering how low the probability is that a significant number of people will learn how to parse URLs... I think berating them about not understanding URLs is kind of self-defeating.

The good that is being missed is not really incredibly good and the bad that is being caused by berating people will never create enough good to make up for itself.

Now if you had just made a statement about how to pick apart a URL and submit a simpler version, with perhaps a comment about testing the URL in a fresh browser window before you post it on a forum... That would have saved a lot of typing on your part and it would have given readers a lot less feeling that you look down on them.

My post #7127 was an appeal for reasonable action on the part of CC members to at least try to produce better posts.