Links Page out of date...

Just noticed that the web links page is kind of out of date. I saw 2 dead links, and there are at least 2 or 3 sites that, though still there, aren't updated and haven't been for months to a year. Just a thought!

I'm sure there are plenty of dead links there. I haven't verified the links in awhile.

Well according to a spam I just got today, for only $19.95 you can have a spider writer crawl your page for you telling you about all your dead links.

Ugh.

The thing with spidering the links (and this is the case with a few of the CB links) is that you'll get a "good" link regardless of what's at the other end - even if the page has changed. There's a couple of links on the links page that still go to the domain in question, but it's no longer a coaster site (usually a default page or search page).

That's the reason I don't have an automated method of doing it anymore. Back in the day I did have a simple spider that crawled the entire database and queued dead links for re-approval. The problem is what Gonchar describes. Even an expired domain name now ends up on some registrar's page where they try to resell it.

Yup. The "we'll resell this!" thing is so annoying.

Even worse are the guys who snap up expired domain names and direct them to their lame "search" pages, and DON'T resell them. I was recently looking at picking up the "coastercount.com" domain, only to discover it's not available, because those crackpots at netster have it.

Exactly, Greg!

rollercoasterpictures.com takes you to munky.com's search. Then annoyingly asks if you want to make munky.com your home page as you leave.

In my neverending quest for finding coaster/park domains I'm unfamiliar with, I've found tons of this going on.

Would there be a way to add a little button next to each link that members could press to report a bad link? Seems like one of the best ways to do it IMO, I have seen it done on other sites.

I just spent the last hour or two going through all but the official park sites and nuked at least a hundred, perhaps more. Getting mouse wrist!

"Report a bad link" is a good idea. That should make the list for the next version of the site (which I have to admit isn't likely until late this year, if not next year).

Jeff - if you happen to read this could you please update our link to reflect out new URL: www.sdgreetings.com or tell me how I can edit it myself.

Thanks ;)

mOOSH

Jeff, presumably you will check the reported bad links for yourself, otherwise people might falsely report the link as broken so the site is removed.

Uh, I don't let people post photos without approval. What do you think I would do?

Got it covered, 'Moosh.