[LINK] ZDNet

[Gordon Keith]

Bernard Robertson-Dunn wrote:

> The first time I go to http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/index.htm each day, it
> seems to quickly pop up then close a window.

The page source starts with:

<script language="JavaScript">
<!--

function blipwindow() {
    blipvert_window=window.open("http://trakka.zdnet.com.au/trakka/ibm01/blipvert/http://www.zdnet.com.au/special/ads/ibm/blipvert/blipvert.htm","IBM","width=200,height=85,toolbar=no,status=no,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,directories=no")
}

// pop up the blipvert window
function blipvert() {
     setTimeout("blipwindow()", 4000)
     setTimeout("blipvert_window.close()", 8000)
}

// Use this function to save a cookie.
function setCookie(name, value, expires) {
document.cookie = name + "=" + escape(value) + "; path=/" +
((expires == null) ? "" : "; expires=" + expires.toGMTString());
}

var d = new Date();
var exp = new Date(d.getYear(), d.getMonth(), d.getDate(), 23, 59, 59, 0);
setCookie("BLIPVERT-4", "seen", exp);
blipvert();

//-->
</script>

Which, by my reading (I'm not an expert) says set a cookie that expires 
at midnight saying you've seen the blipvert, then pop-up an ad in a 
window for 4 seconds.

I'd guess the server doesn't include this code if you present the cookie.

If the popup isn't staying for four seconds either I've misguessed the 
parameters to setTimeout or the browser's javascript implementation 
isn't that good. I'd hate to have to guess which of those was the problem.

I have cookies and javascript disabled, so I haven't tested it.

There doesn't appear to be enough information in the cookie 
"BLIPVERT-4=seen" to provide anything much in the way of identification 
or tracking.

Regards
Gordon