Why do some webmasters try to hide source code???

intruth's picture

They have: 61 posts

Joined: Dec 2005

I never understood what so many webmasters use

<script language=JavaScript>

</script>

to hide there source code. Because only people that build websites might want to look at how they did a certain thing or effect.

Most people who visit never want to look at the source code...

But all the webmasters that want to see the source code know how easy it is to get around that...So i will never see the point in using that... Unless you have some good points about in regards to hiding your source code.

timjpriebe's picture

He has: 2,667 posts

Joined: Dec 2004

I have to agree on this. I guess it's just to dissuade those who are easily dissuaded. Anyone who is determined enough can always view the code that's delivered to the client.

I also think it's funny when they to similar things to try to keep you from taking images off their site. Duh, if I really want the image, I'll just do a screen capture.

intruth's picture

They have: 61 posts

Joined: Dec 2005

lol funny you should respond I learned some good stuff from some of your coding Tim... Thanks and keep up the great work please...

Greg K's picture

He has: 2,145 posts

Joined: Nov 2003

IMO, those who use code to block you from right clicking are just letting you know that their work isn't worth learning from, as they do not get it themselves.

As Tim said, if it is coming to the client, it can always be gotten.

I once started up a site that was pure Javascript games for people who used WebTV units (so that when they played cards, etc, every click didn't go back to the server). That was the only time I found reason to block the code, as anyone could have just copied all the games that at the time I wanted protected.

I did manage to get it where the only way you were getting the source code was to run the WebTV emulator on a computer Smiling

The blocking of right clicks really annoyed me as before I got a mouse with a "back" button, i used to just right click and choose BACK.

-Greg

They have: 161 posts

Joined: Jan 2005

It's a pretty useless javascript if you ask me.. Sticking out tongue

demonhale's picture

He has: 3,278 posts

Joined: May 2005

dont need to protect source code coz you can always do a better code than the one they are copying from you. Thats why php helps in these too...

Renegade's picture

He has: 3,022 posts

Joined: Oct 2002

Usually, those scripts are used by people who are new to this field and think that it's "cool."

Realistically, there is no reason to hide the source code.

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

the ones I love are the ones that start the page a page down, so when you first view the source it appears empty, must make editing it a pain.

Renegade's picture

He has: 3,022 posts

Joined: Oct 2002

Oh yeah, those are funny, and then there's the one with messages (comments). Things like:

"Don't go any further!"
...
"I'm warning you!"
...
"Stop right there!"
...
"Don't try to steal my code! Stop!"
...
"OK, fine, here..."
...

intruth's picture

They have: 61 posts

Joined: Dec 2005

is there a way to make a window pop up that would read Thank You for wanting to view my source code....Hope you find what you are looking for... Enjoy please continue

Then have a link to source code place with in a text box... That way you could track how many people look at your source code..or maybe thats just another dumb idea...lol

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

I had a site (years ago) that several people copied off, one girl copied every change I did so I thought ok I'll get you, so got the source code from a porn site and placed it above mine, commented out the code of course and left two pages gap before the real content. Sure enough I check her site and she's displaying a porn site, was so funny, some how so only managed to copy between the comment tags. I was a nice girl and told her what had happened.

Renegade's picture

He has: 3,022 posts

Joined: Oct 2002

intruth: If you wanted to do something like that, you can just put it in a comment Smiling

Busy wrote: I was a nice girl and told her what had happened.

Hah! Always knew you were a girl! Sticking out tongue

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

should of been 'to the'.
one day i'll proof read my posts

JeevesBond's picture

He has: 3,956 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

In Opera you use mouse gestures by right-clicking. Can't remember the last time I visited one of those particularly annoying sites but I believe it broke my browser and I left quick-smart.

That is such an idiotic thing to do, there are plenty of other things - perfectly valid selections too - in a right-click menu, also stopping something which is totally normal operation is so, so wrong.

Brilliant story Busy!

a Padded Cell our articles site!

demonhale's picture

He has: 3,278 posts

Joined: May 2005

And then I remembered a group of sites that are actually displaying contents from TWF...

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