AARRRGGHHHH!! :-P (many questions, maybe someone else will pitch in and give Steve a break)...

> (he-he)... maybe you got lucky?

AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!! (did I say that already?)

You know, it's entirely possible I have a link buried somewhere -- one that I forgot -- one that escaped cloaking -- and my sale could have come from there.

> This program you are using gets people to click bank using frames. If you
> look at the Click bank FAQ here and scroll down to number #13, it says:

> Will I get referral credit if I hide hoplinks by making them open into a
> frame, iframe, layer, applet, image, or other sub-window object?

Being a Certified Technical Moron, I don't understand that.

I know what a frame is, and I don't see one. But I don't know what the others are (except "image" duh) -- when you get to the page, it looks perfectly normal -- no frames, nothing different -- EXCEPT I do open all my links in a new window with "target="_blank" (that's okay isn't it?).

> No. These are illegal hoplinks. For security reasons, and to ensure proper
> tracking of your referrals, all hoplinks must be targeted to the top level
> of a new or existing window.

(Answered the last part of the previous question -- I gather a new window is okay.)

> In my humble opinion I would say this cloaker is costing you your sales.

AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! OHMIGAWWWWWWWWD!!!! I HAVE A MORTGAGE TO PAY THIS MONTH!!!!! SCREEEEEEEEEEEECCHHH!! I'M GONNA KILL SOMETHING!!!!

(sorry, but my brain was threatening to explode out my nostrils if I didn't let loose)

> IN #19 of the same FAQ they have suggested vendors use a frame breaking
> code, which is likely why the above was happening.

I think it was a fluke because all her other pages work "normally" (i.e., show the affiliate info flashing by) and the new pages works "normally" now too. And I did have one sale from her site (using these links I *think* but at this point, who knows?).

HOWEVER... if anybody will "break" affiliate links it will be Corey, and that's the one that made me suspicious (from lack of sales and lack of affiliate number flashing by).

> No doubt. I would suggest looking for a better cloaker.

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS:

1. Can you suggest one? OR....

2. Is there any real reason to use one? The story goes: (a) Some people won't buy a product if they think you're committing the crime of making money on it [this I know is true based on the occasional road-rage email], and (b) Some "savvy" evil-doers will replace your affiliate number with their own and you're "losing tons of sales". IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THIS??

3. If it IS a good idea to use one -- (cripes, there are a bzillion out there; there has to be *some* reason or it's the biggest ripoff since the Laundry Ball) -- what? oh yes -- if it IS a good idea to cloak, IS IT SAFE TO USE THE .HTACCESS METHOD?

4. Let's say you're right about this being the reason for no sales (and I have no doubt you are) -- it would be just because the link DOESN'T WORK, right? (as opposed to someone actually STEALING my sales?) (I just need to feel better right now because I have a mortgage to pay, a whopping $65 to pay it with, and I'm afraid I might lose what's left of my mind.)

This program is by one Jimmy D. Brown, whose name I know from somewhere. For that reason -- and because it's offered on about a bzillion sites -- many of which I KNOW are reputable -- I just figured it was fine until I made the connection last night. In your opinion (and anyone else who would care to offer one), is this pitch just pure bullcaca?

Oh woe is me.

:-P

> Best Regards,
> Steve MacLellan

Top o' the mornin' to ya... and THANK YOU!!! BLESSUM YOU!!! I could have gone another two months like this and been living in a tree for sure.