Affiliate Link Question

Dear Kiddies,

I have recently started using a little script called Affiliate Defender. (I didn't get it here -- actually I got it free -- but that link will show you what it does if you don't already know) (no, I'm not an affiliate).

I was redirecting affiliate links through an htaccess page but that was cumbersome and the affiliate link shows up top (which I didn't care about because I make no bones about being an affiliate when I am one, but from what I read, when it shows, it can be -- and often is -- replaced or removed).

With Affiliate Defender, you type your affiliate link and it gives you a pile of gibberish to put on an html page so the only place your actual affiliate link shows up is as it flashes by on the bar in the lower left corner.

It love it because it's SO easy compared to the htaccess method, and I have a great distrust of sites like tinyurl because I was using shrinkmylink and they disappeared and I had no idea so tons of my links were dead for a very long time.

Rather than increasing my sales, however, this has been almost the worst month in recorded history (although I have had one sale since I started using it so I assume it was working).

Last night I was trying to put a page up and no matter what I did, the link kept going directly to the destination without going through the affiliate site at all. I finally had to take down the html page altogether, make a new one with a new name, and change the link; it would not react to any changes I made.

This is worrying me.

Can someone explain how these things work to boost my confidence level a bit?

== Once I get my gobbledygook-link and put it on an html page, can anyone change it?

== I mean, how does it redirect?

== Goes it go through a stranger's web site?

== If yes, and if that stranger leaves town, will all my links be dead?

== If it goes through a stranger's web site, can that stranger change all my links to go to his or her own affiliate links?

== Is there any reason this would not work on ALL affiliate programs? (I read on one page about redirecting links, "you have to know how that particular affiliate program works" -- HUH??)

I'm sure it's a coincidence that sales have taken a nosedive -- that happens from time to time -- but what happened last night got me rattled. Also, on my redirects to Corey Rudl's sites, I don't ever see my affiliate ID flash by, which is worrisome.

I would appreciate any and all opinions.

Luv,