Viewing/Modifying Link status (new, visited, etc) with ASP

[- jes]

Greetings.

Using CSS, a programmer can set the color for an href link and a different
color for a VISITED href link.

Anyone know where this "list" of visited links is stored?

Is it accessible (can I read it) with ASP?

Is it updateable (can I add new links to the list) with ASP?

I have a forum that threads topics/subtopics on the first (TOPICS) page,
then displays the entire thread on the second (POSTS) page.

Each topic/subtopic ont the TOPICS page has a unique ID thus is a unique
link so when a user views the entire thread, only the link they clicked on is
colored as a visited link when they return to the TOPICS page after viewing
the thread.

I would like to update all the message links for the thread (as listed on
the POSTS page) when a viewer visits a topic so when they return to the
TOPICS page, all the links for that thread are seen as visited.

Much thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

 

[Tom Kaminski [MVP]]

Greetings.

Using CSS, a programmer can set the color for an href link and a different
color for a VISITED href link.

Anyone know where this "list" of visited links is stored?

On the client.

Is it accessible (can I read it) with ASP?

No - ASP is server technology.

Is it updateable (can I add new links to the list) with ASP?

No, for the same reason.

I have a forum that threads topics/subtopics on the first (TOPICS) page,
then displays the entire thread on the second (POSTS) page.

Each topic/subtopic ont the TOPICS page has a unique ID thus is a unique
link so when a user views the entire thread, only the link they clicked on is
colored as a visited link when they return to the TOPICS page after viewing
the thread.

I would like to update all the message links for the thread (as listed on
the POSTS page) when a viewer visits a topic so when they return to the
TOPICS page, all the links for that thread are seen as visited.

You would have to maintain your own logic then on the server.

 

[Adrienne]

Greetings.

Using CSS, a programmer can set the color for an href link and a
different color for a VISITED href link.

Actually, the author can _suggest_ a color, but the user's browser has
ultimate control.

Anyone know where this "list" of visited links is stored?

In the user's history and cache. If the cache is emptied, all links turn
to unvisited.

Is it accessible (can I read it) with ASP?

You can make suggestions with ASP, but you must do it document level, an
external stylesheet will not work.

Is it updateable (can I add new links to the list) with ASP?

New links of what? You're not being clear.

I have a forum that threads topics/subtopics on the first (TOPICS)
page, then displays the entire thread on the second (POSTS) page.

Each topic/subtopic ont the TOPICS page has a unique ID thus is a
unique link so when a user views the entire thread, only the link they
clicked on is colored as a visited link when they return to the TOPICS
page after viewing the thread.

I would like to update all the message links for the thread (as listed
on the POSTS page) when a viewer visits a topic so when they return to
the TOPICS page, all the links for that thread are seen as visited.

Isn't that going to be confusing for the visitor? If there are 20
responses in this thread, how am I going to know which ones I have read if
all appear as visited?

 

[- jes]

Hi Adrienne -

Since all the messages for a topic are listed on the POSTS page (topic,
replies), it will be assumed that all are read and I want to use ASP(?) or
some other method to set all those message links as "visited".

When the user returns later (or even refreshes the TOPICS page), any new
posts since they viewed the POSTS page should still show up as new links.

Thanks for you interest/help.

 

[- jes]

Thanks for the reply Tom -

This may be the wrong place to pursue this line of questioning, but since
the visited links list is client side, do you think JavaScript could be used
to manipulate that data?

Again, much thanks for your time.

 

[Adrienne]

Hi Adrienne -

Since all the messages for a topic are listed on the POSTS page (topic,
replies), it will be assumed that all are read and I want to use ASP(?)
or some other method to set all those message links as "visited".

As my Mother used to say, "When you assume you make an ass out of you and
me." Never assume anything.

When the user returns later (or even refreshes the TOPICS page), any
new posts since they viewed the POSTS page should still show up as new
links.

Let the visitors browser do the work. Why reinvent the wheel?

Thanks for you interest/help.

No problem. HTH

 

[Tom Kaminski [MVP]]

Thanks for the reply Tom -

This may be the wrong place to pursue this line of questioning, but since
the visited links list is client side, do you think JavaScript could be used
to manipulate that data?

I have no idea.