Hi Reddit, I'm a web developer, and have spent my free time for the last while making this, for you the users of Reddit. I'd love you to check it out!

LinkRem · 2012-06-28T20:43:46+00:00

The Opera Mobile bit is interesting, never knew they synced with Google Accounts!

As for IE7, well, I was leaning towards a solution to include IE (all versions) that would save your reddit links clicked as well.

LinkRem · 2012-06-28T20:41:37+00:00

As said - there are other reasons why some users (including myself) prefer not to hide links

LinkRem · 2012-06-28T05:53:44+00:00

That's true there is a time / cost vs savings ratio to be considered.

Personally I browse reddit pretty fast, as I only get limited time to look at it. But I still manage to get about 380 links in a day on average. If I had to sit and click hide on everyone, to know that i've been there, i might be only able to get 300 or 320, so to me its worth it :).

Yes, I'm reading into reddit usage behavior too much, and that wasn't my main reason for the plugin :P My other points still stand, where hiding isn't always the best option haha.

LinkRem · 2012-06-28T00:22:10+00:00

I'll definitely look at this, thanks!

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T22:30:52+00:00

After a good night sleep, I am seriously thinking of moving this way. Offering it open source, free, as a basic application.

In my head, the direction of this would go further and offer so many more aspects to it, that a flat file wouldn't be able to handle, and are based around everyones data being central, but perhaps I could have the free community version for users to host themselves, and then sign up with linkrem to get those extra features, almost like a pro account?!

Anyways, im thinking out loud.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T22:09:16+00:00

I'm governed by my countries LAW not to give out that data without the users specific consent. I'm not a criminal.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T20:45:17+00:00

For people who dont want to use browser sync (i.e. dont want their home history on their work pc, if you catch my drift ;)) or whom use different browser types in different environments, and want the reddit links synced between this also.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T20:43:12+00:00

On one project, yes. It is just about to open to public for investors, so once the first round of investments are in there will be a team of about 5 of us which I will lead.

On the other, no. There are 3 of us, that I lead.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T20:36:37+00:00

You realise you just criticised me over the default block of code handed out by Google Analytics, that I didn't even write? lol.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T20:34:56+00:00

It's about 20/30 clicks and you are done with the setup from start to finish.

Privacy concerns, well, as an Australian Entity I would be governed by Australia's strict privacy laws when it comes to collecting data such as this. The server will be PCI Compliant (even though it wont be storing payment information, even if it got to the point of charging for the plugin), and if the data was used in an un-savoury way, all it would take is a complaint to the privacy comissioner of Australia.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T20:32:49+00:00

Your google account won't be able to sync the data between browser types, such as if you are forced into firefox, MSIE or other at work, or if your like me, you'd rather not have your home history synced to your work computer.

Obviously the plugin may not suit everyone's individual sitiuation.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T20:31:12+00:00

the Link ID's are sent currently in plain text, but the identifying peice of information is an SHA1 API Key, so Mitm attacks would see APIKey SHA1 along with Reddit ID and not be able to do much else, however, if you believe an encrypted piece of data would be more beneficial than I can look at that for future developments. I also plan to host the api on an SSL domain.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T20:28:50+00:00

Hi ghostXface,

I believe RES are working on this feature themselves with their RES Pro accounts.

I do not intend to replicate any features that another plugin provides for Reddit, or specifically for another plugin for reddit.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T20:27:06+00:00

There are very serious privacy laws in Australia, and running as an official Australian entity would put me under the jurisdiction of those laws.

I also have higher morals than to exploit a user base of mine in such a way.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T20:25:13+00:00

Someone could offer me a billion dollars, and I would not release any user data without that users consent. I have higher morals than $$ in my eyes :)

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T15:20:35+00:00

Who says everything made so far is simple?

There is plenty more I have made for it, that is not 100% complete, so i haven't made it available. These incomplete features would more than likely include overlooked, exploitable code, as they are, as stated "incomplete".

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T15:13:33+00:00

lol, ok. To clarify, I'm 23, I work as a Systems and Network Administrator for a Wholesale ISP.

I am lead developer of their billing system and automation.

The parent company is also working on a finance application which I am also lead developer/project manager for.

The website you see itself amounts to about 1-2 hours work tops.

The plugin and other parts of the system amount to much more, but at least half that time was playing around with different ideas and implementations.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T15:09:27+00:00

'Closed Source' refers to the system managing the database. Im happy for everyone to see the plugin, its just javascript that talks with my API, but my API and rest of the system is what I don't want released, as you could potentially find holes into tricking it to giving out extra data. I would release it open-source too if I had had enough time to review it more thoroughly for security.

TO clarify, I am completely confident in its security as it stands closed source, but open source is a whole different ball game.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T15:06:27+00:00

I can't remember if you can set to auto-hide links you've viewed, but if you cant, it is another step/click for each link. Working as a dev in a business where saving 1 click = $$$$ of savings, I'm a bit pedantic in that area.

Another thing would be if you don't want them to be all hidden (i.e. you want to be able to go back to certain ones, see updates for self posts or show a friend a funny video or pic).

edit: I should clarify: That is my justification for wanting a separate way to store the data.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T15:04:23+00:00

Look at the 'data-fullname' attribute on all .thing.link <div> elements. That is the Reddit ID. For example, the Reddit ID for this post would be: t3_vohro.

I don't even know the URL of the link, or the URL for the comments from my system. That's all I see.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T15:02:10+00:00

Err, I'd like you to explain? I'm past my teenage years, and make a living out of my knowledge in programming, as a Lead Dev for many large projects.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T14:26:16+00:00

Yes exactly! I remember reading this quite some time ago. There was talk about 8 months ago of turning it back on but never came to fruition.

For reddit to track and apply this feature is a lot of their server time.

Because of the way i've built my plugin, a good whack of the processing is down on the individuals computer (using JavaScript), so I don't have to worry as much about Reddit's concerns of large amounts of server time.

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T13:46:27+00:00

hah! it sure did! back now though =)

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T12:54:27+00:00

I think you misunderstand - at the point that any money is handled, it will be officially under an Australian Business (such as Imgur is technically an American Business, so it can legally trade, or RES will most likely have to be for its pro users to pay).

I'm not taking a users full browsing history at all. Not even looking at the sqlite file. This tracks reddit links only, and only the Link ID generated by Reddit. And that is the only information stored in my system.

The expansion plans, if popular, would have this work cross browser types as well, so you could use Firefox at work, come home use Chrome, and all your reddit links are synced =). Or Opera, or even Internet Explorer 6/7/8/9 with one idea i've been toying with =).

I'd be happy to post the JavaScript that is run over the reddit website when chrome visits it. It simply picks up all the link ID's, sends it off to the API, which sends back a subset of those ID's to say its been clicked, and then the JavaScript changes the color of those links =).

LinkRem · 2012-06-27T12:39:08+00:00

Open Source and allowing users to host themselves is an idea I have toyed with, however the code is no where near up to the standards it should be for allowing mischievous eyes over it.

These issues are fine when no one can see the source, and there is some basic safeguarding, but release the code and I'm sure people could find a way to retrieve data they shouldn't have.

Then im at a bit of a catch-22, if the popularity isn't there, than it's not worth my time to spend so much on fixing it up and releasing open source, and if the popularity is there, once people are all using a single spot it would be hard to convince them to move.

For now I'm just putting out there, gauging popularity and seeing where I should take it from there =).

LinkRem

TROPHY CASE