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HTTP and HTTPS tags without using JavaScript

November 11th, 2008 SkyHorse

Very neat trick I found out recently is that if you omit the protocol from an HTML src tag it will use the same protocol as the current URL, which is ideal if you need to have one universal HTML tag that works with both HTTP and HTTPS without having to use JavaScript tricks to detect the protocol.
This is great to use with ad server tracking pixels for example, or any other images:

Standard HTML code:
<img src="http://www.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/images/logo.gif">

Relative protocol version:
<img src="//www.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/images/logo.gif">

A few important details:

• The browser will use the same protocol for the image call as the base URL where the tag is on, akin to a relative-path URL. This means e-mail clients and the sorts (like file explorers) will not be able to use this (as there is no base URL)
• Tested on IE6 + 7, FF2 + 3 and Safari 2 + 3.
• Syntax is part of the HTML spec since 1995, just not widely used (don’t know why)

Tags: online-advertising, Web Design

Related posts:

• What is… Behavioural Targeting? Part I: Contextual, Re-targeting and Interest-based targeting
• The state of Online Advertising 2.0 – part 1: Microhoo?
• Deep Packet Inspection takes another blow

Posted in Computing, online media | 1 Comment »

Deep Packet Inspection takes another blow

October 8th, 2008 SkyHorse

After US congress put a halt to ISP-based tracking while they try to figure out where the “creepy factor” line is, NebudAd suspended it’s activities, Front Porch was forced to shut off the behavioural tracking part of their system and the latest to throw in the towel is now Adzilla who have put up on their home page “We have stepped out for a little…”.

With an opt-in model being tried out in the UK by Phorm starting last week, Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) is not dead yet, but it has definitely taken a step back.

Or forward, depending where you stand on the privacy concern fence.

Tags: behavioural-targeting, deep packet inspection, frontporch, nebuad, online media, online-advertising, phorm

Related posts:

• What is… Behavioural Targeting? Part I: Contextual, Re-targeting and Interest-based targeting
• Phorm strikes back
• You’ve been de-Phormed, have a nice day :)

Posted in online media | No Comments »

The Web 2.0 is Green and Grey

June 1st, 2008 SkyHorse

Web 2.0 has some known idiosyncrasies such as the cartoonish “Beta” logo or the Star Wars like acronyms (see the Web2.0 vs StarWars quiz). A not so known fact is the amount of companies using Green and Grey as their colours:

See my point?

Tags: design, web-2.0

Related posts:

• Banksy: The Hacker of the Art world
• Web 2.0 or Star Wars Character?
• Zonbu – The Zen of computers, or is it?

Posted in online media | No Comments »

wunderloop hires Torsten Ahlers as new CEO

May 30th, 2008 SkyHorse

Torsten announced yesterday on his blog he will be joining wunderloop, so I guess it’s official now.
Coming from AOL DE, one of the long time wunderloop clients, he will join the exciting behavioural targeting company in July.

Welcome to wunderloop Torsten, and good luck!

Tags: aol, wunderloop

Related posts:

• wunderLOOP: The start of a new wave of online advertising
• What is… Behavioural Targeting? Part I: Contextual, Re-targeting and Interest-based targeting
• The state of Online Advertising 2.0 – part 1: Microhoo?

Posted in online media | No Comments »

Web 2.0 or StarWars Character Quiz

May 5th, 2008 SkyHorse This is a complete rip-off from the Cerado's quiz but I think its so funny I have to have it here as well. Give it a go! [inline]

	web 2.0	star wars
barada
kiko
bossk
brakiss
trumba
eskobo
callista
wedge
favoor
nuvvo
jango
meebo
pando
jarjar
nilo
qoop
oola
lulu
padme
agatra
sebulba
oyogi
renkoo
watto
yedda
greedo
django
zoto
panaka
riya
dooku
reddit
tarkin
daala
congoo
ning
thrawn
lando
squidoo
wicket
collective x
tagyu
goowy

Your Score:

[/inline]

How many correct answers did you get?

• 0-10: Please visit Luddite.com for your prize.
• 11-20: Revel in it! You've achieved a rare zen balance of pop culture knowledge and techno-prowess, and apparently still have a life to boot. Wieux-hieux!
• 21-30: Too...much...kool-aid...
• 31-40: As your doctor, I recommend moving out of your parents' basement.
• 41-42: No, really. Go outside or something. Ride a bike. Run barefoot through the grass. Get a pet. Anything.
• 43: Mike Arrington? Is that you?

Tags: >, starwars, web-2.0

Related posts:

• New web marketing strategy born?
• Interest-based behavioural targeting cookies: What do they know about you?
• What is… Behavioural Targeting? Part I: Contextual, Re-targeting and Interest-based targeting

Posted in online media | No Comments »