Problems With Ab

[rsvp]

I did ask this question a few days ago but got no answers so am trying again.
When I type on AB, often only half the word/sentence shows on the screen - when I finally get it right then re-read before pressing the submit button all is well but a couple of times only half the text has made it through to the post.
Also, the screen goes blank very, very regularly and it's driving me nuts.
Hope someone has some answers. Thank you

[murraymints]

you need to put this in ed's blog or technology !

[AB Editor]

Hi RSVP.

Which browser are you using to visit AB? If it's IE, we'll be getting someone to look at that issue in the near future. Sorry that typing has become such a nuisance.

I don't know what is going on with the screen going black - check your monitor cables? Maybe you've got a two monitor set up and have upgraded one - forcing your graphics card to work a bit too hard? That's a complete guess.

I've moved your question to the "Ed's Blog" from "Animals and Nature"

[Gromit]

Ab Editor,

Could it be anything to do with the 70+ scripts and trackers that AB loads in the background?

[AB Editor]

Hi Gromit,

"Could it be anything to do with the 70+ scripts and trackers that AB loads in the background?"

The answer is: it shouldn't be. It's more likely related to updates for internet explorer and safari, and the introduction of MS's new "Edge" browser.

The reason there are so many tracking cookies is because our advertising runs on a "waterfall" model, meaning if one ad network doesn't want a slot at a particular time, it gets passed on.

For the first advertiser to know whether it wants to be on the page or not, it has to provide a cookie to bounce the page back. It's a bit like it's sticking it's head into a different part of the pub to see if there's any good seats.

[Gromit]

When AB first loads, there is a load of baggage that comes with it. Trackers which spy on your use of the site download in the background. These cause the problems, slow down your device and eat up lots of data use.

To view this page, you have just also downloaded the following trackers:

ANSWERBANK TRACKERS

accuen Media
adap.tv
AddThis
Adform
AdGear
Adition
AdMaxim
Adlook
Adometry
AdScale
ADTECH
Advertising.com
Affecttv
Aggregated Knowledge
AppNexus
BidSwitch
BlueKai
BrightRoll
Casale Media
Connexity
Datalogix
DC StormIQ
DoubleClick
Distillery
eXelate
EQ Advertising
Experian Marketing
facebook Exchange
Facebook Social plugin
Flashtalking
Getintent
Google Ananltics
Gravatar
Improve Digital
Integral Ad Science
Jumptap
Lijit
LiveRail
LiveRamp
MADNET
Media Innovations Group
Media Optimizer
Media Math
Moat
myThings
NetRatings Site Census
Neustar AdAdvisor
OpenX
Platform161
Proclivity
PubMatic
PulsePoint
Quantcast
Quisma
RadiumOne
Right Media
Rocket Fuel
Rubicon
ScoreCard Research
Simpli;fi
Sizmek
SMART Adserver
SpotXchange
Switch Concepts
Tapad
TradeDesk
TRUSTe Notice
Tube Mogul
Turn Inc.
Twitter Advertising
ValueClick Mediaplex
Vindico Group
VoiceFire
Yieldlab
Yieldr

[weecalf]

I posted about this last week ,annoying isn't it .i just give up

[1ozzy]

Does that include those people that use the "unmentionable" App Gromit?

[alavahalf]

Yep ..When you are on the internet you dont realise that you have a bigger crowd following you than the England Rugby Team !

[1ozzy]

I don't think the English Rugby team have too many fans at the moment Alavahalf ;-)

[AB Editor]

"When AB first loads, there is a load of baggage that comes with it. Trackers which spy on your use of the site download in the background. These cause the problems, slow down your device and eat up lots of data use."

They're tiny Gromit and will not "eat up lots of data use"! Honestly, I understand what you think you're getting at, but let's not talk nonsense!

"These cause the problems"

No, they don't. More likely it's the way we've implemented some javascript for the character counter on the question pod becoming outdated on new browsers!

"When AB first loads, there is a load of baggage that comes with it. Trackers which spy on your use of the site download in the background"

The cookies we use are, as explained above, are for advertising.

You can read about the types of cookies we use on our privacy page: http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/AB-Editors-Blog/article/the-answerbank-privacy-policy/

Just because you don't understand them doesn't mean they're evil!

[1ozzy]

//More likely it's the way we've implemented some javascript for the character counter on the question pod becoming outdated on new browsers! //

Care to repeat that in English Ed?

I'm interested.

[AB Editor]

There's such paranoia about this stuff that it becomes the default boogeyman to blame for any issues. It's very frustrating, worries people and detracts from any sensible discussion you might want to have about ensuring the site can exist and remain vaguely profitable.

[alavahalf]

... Having a stalker is not a bad thing after all ?

[janbee]

RSVP, I had the same problem and I was using IE. I changed to Firefox and , hey presto... problem gone. Good luck xx

[AB Editor]

"Care to repeat that in English Ed?"

Yes.

You know the counter next to the submit button on a question/answer? The one that says:

136/4000

That uses something called javascript (a web programming language) to make the count work and impose a limit on the number of characters (letters) a question/answer can have.

Browsers (chrome, IE, Firefox) more or less set the "rules" for what can be displayed and used on a webpage. If the way we've used Javascript in this instance has become out of date, then it might be making the browser "choke".

Is that better?

[1ozzy]

Your tracking cookies are of no concern to me.
Except "DoubleClick".
I've had trouble with it in days gone past.
An explanation for my question @ 09:46 would be appreciated.

[AB Editor]

RSVP, to return to your issue:

1. We're looking at the typing issue shortly.

2. Not sure about the black screens, might be worth a separate post in tech?

[1ozzy]

Thanks Ed.
Answer supplied whilst I was "tryping".

Appreciated!

[AB Editor]

"Your tracking cookies are of no concern to me.
Except "DoubleClick".
I've had trouble with it in days gone past."

Doubleclick is the software used by Google advertising.

What trouble is it giving you?

[alavahalf]

"RSVP, I had the same problem and I was using IE. I changed to Firefox and , hey presto... problem gone"

Personally I had the same problem and I was using IE ( I copied Jan and switched browser) I changed to firefox and hey presto ... problem gone. :-)

Honest that was the end of it .. and my heart no longer sinks when I struggle to use AB.