deep linking policy (was Re: Osborne Computer 4 (Vixen) prototype?)

[Eric Smith]

Dave Dunfield wrote:
> I was wondering if you could explain to me what is not clear about
> this request, which is posted (bolded) at both the top and bottom
> of my disk images page:

The problem is the usage model of the web.  Just because something 
happens to be on a page, at the top or bottom (or both), doesn't mean 
that anyone is going to bother to read it.

Your URL randomization scheme is a (somewhat) reasonable way to prevent 
deep linking.  Expecting people not to do so simply out of respect for a 
statement on a web page that they may or may not have actually read is 
doomed to failure.

> I'm trying to understand why people are don't see or understand this simple
> request

If I search for "sinusoidal depleneration" using a search engine, and go 
to a web page from the results, I'm more likely to just hit control-F 
and search for that term within the page, rather than bother to read 
notices at the top of the page.

 > I think it's a reasonable request...

Opinions are bound to vary on that.  I would argue that simply by virtue 
of that fact that almost no web sites make such a request, that it is 
effectively not reasonable.

Best regards,
Eric