| Author |
Message |
Tony Williams
Guest
|
 Posted:
Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:54 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
In article <4hqgp1hfk0c3filbqmack6pjnl2d1v6jm4@4ax.com>,
Spehro Pefhany <speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat> wrote:
| Quote: | According to a post earlier this year on slashdot, the javascript
code is mostly fairly benign......
|
Following this thread I disabled javascript in
Adobe 7, but now I see something else.....
In Preferences --> Trust Manager there is a box
headed Pdf File Attachments that says "Allow
documents to open other files and launch other
applications".
It is ticked by default.
Should I untick it?
--
Tony Williams.
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Theo Markettos
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:06 pm Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
qrk <SpamTrap@spam.net> wrote:
Displays quite happily in xpdf (for RISC OS)... no Javascript in sight :-)
Theo |
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Winfield Hill
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:23 pm Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
Christopher Cole wrote...
| Quote: |
Can you see their URL or IP (? 65.17.226.156 ?) if you open the
document in a text editor? Can you point to a sample document? I'd
like to block whatever they are using right at the entry firewall.
You can get a copy of the document in question by googling for 0201cs.
It is the first match. In order to get a copy of this datasheet, The
company asks you for your email address so they can put a serial number
that is tied to you in their tracking database. They then email an
identifiable copy to you. I have written to the company in question
informing them that this is not good practice. It is actually a gaping
_security hole_.
|
What's all this pussyfooting around about? The company is Coilcraft,
and the document is simply their line of 0201CS Chip Inductors.
http://www.coilcraft.com/0201cs.cfm These are interesting small parts,
but it's not worth the hassle and control insult they put one through
to get the datasheet. In fact, with my computer's security settings
I'm unable to get the datasheet, perhaps that's what they intend.
I note they updated the web page just yesterday, "Updated: December,
08 2005 Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Contact
webmaster@coilcraft.com Copyright © 2005, Coilcraft, Inc."
I suggest we write this webmaster and voice our opinions. Perhaps he
will wiseup? If not, we can always write the company president. I'm
a longtime loyal Coilcraft customer and don't appreciate being yanked
or jerked around by marketing or by an errant, off-the-wall webmaster.
I save datasheets in my computer, carefully filed in organized company
folders, with the files often renamed for clarity in finding them. In
fact I have a nice collection of datasheets in my Coilcraft folder, but
not the new 0201CS chip-inductors parts. It's a shame I'm not going to
be looking at that datasheet. Does Coilcraft want to make this a trend?
I'm forced to wonder if I should avoid ever looking again at the other
Coilcraft datasheets I have in my computer, perhaps I should erase them.
Or at least erase the 30% of my Coilcraft files that have 2005 dates.
Sheesh!
I've been having so much damn trouble lately with my collection of six
active Windows computers that I'm getting more than a little paranoid
about allowing files into them that muck around with them in any way.
--
Thanks,
- Win
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Rich Grise
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 10, 2005 12:20 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
On Fri, 09 Dec 2005 09:54:12 +0000, Tony Williams wrote:
| Quote: | In article <4hqgp1hfk0c3filbqmack6pjnl2d1v6jm4@4ax.com>,
Spehro Pefhany <speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat> wrote:
According to a post earlier this year on slashdot, the javascript
code is mostly fairly benign......
Following this thread I disabled javascript in
Adobe 7, but now I see something else.....
In Preferences --> Trust Manager there is a box
headed Pdf File Attachments that says "Allow
documents to open other files and launch other
applications".
It is ticked by default.
Should I untick it?
|
I would.
Cheers!
Rich |
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|
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Michael A. Terrell
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:36 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
Winfield Hill wrote:
| Quote: |
Christopher Cole wrote...
Can you see their URL or IP (? 65.17.226.156 ?) if you open the
document in a text editor? Can you point to a sample document? I'd
like to block whatever they are using right at the entry firewall.
You can get a copy of the document in question by googling for 0201cs.
It is the first match. In order to get a copy of this datasheet, The
company asks you for your email address so they can put a serial number
that is tied to you in their tracking database. They then email an
identifiable copy to you. I have written to the company in question
informing them that this is not good practice. It is actually a gaping
_security hole_.
What's all this pussyfooting around about? The company is Coilcraft,
and the document is simply their line of 0201CS Chip Inductors.
http://www.coilcraft.com/0201cs.cfm These are interesting small parts,
but it's not worth the hassle and control insult they put one through
to get the datasheet. In fact, with my computer's security settings
I'm unable to get the datasheet, perhaps that's what they intend.
I note they updated the web page just yesterday, "Updated: December,
08 2005 Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Contact
webmaster@coilcraft.com Copyright © 2005, Coilcraft, Inc."
I suggest we write this webmaster and voice our opinions. Perhaps he
will wiseup? If not, we can always write the company president. I'm
a longtime loyal Coilcraft customer and don't appreciate being yanked
or jerked around by marketing or by an errant, off-the-wall webmaster.
I save datasheets in my computer, carefully filed in organized company
folders, with the files often renamed for clarity in finding them. In
fact I have a nice collection of datasheets in my Coilcraft folder, but
not the new 0201CS chip-inductors parts. It's a shame I'm not going to
be looking at that datasheet. Does Coilcraft want to make this a trend?
I'm forced to wonder if I should avoid ever looking again at the other
Coilcraft datasheets I have in my computer, perhaps I should erase them.
Or at least erase the 30% of my Coilcraft files that have 2005 dates.
Sheesh!
I've been having so much damn trouble lately with my collection of six
active Windows computers that I'm getting more than a little paranoid
about allowing files into them that muck around with them in any way.
--
Thanks,
- Win
|
Burn them to a CD ROM and only use them in a computer that isn't
connected to the internet. I'm in the process of moving my collection of
datasheets to CD ROMs myself. I have collected thousands of them, along
with hundreds of PDF catalogs.
--
?
Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida |
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Winfield Hill
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:38 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
Michael A. Terrell wrote...
| Quote: |
Burn them to a CD ROM and only use them in a computer that isn't
connected to the internet. I'm in the process of moving my
collection of datasheets to CD ROMs myself. I have collected
thousands of them, along with hundreds of PDF catalogs.
|
My collection at this point would require at least three DVDs.
I appreciate your suggestion, but I object to any manufacturer
providing any datasheets that prudently require extraordinary
measures to look at them safely.
I'm already fed up with the new padlocked datasheets that don't
allow me to add any comments, such how I'd use the part, what
distributor has stock, etc. I routinely do this with parts I
keep in inventory, or am thinking about using. Moreover, they
won't let me extract a few pages to insert to the manual of an
instrument using the parts. They're saying, "Hands up! Back
off, stop even thinking about using these parts."
--
Thanks,
- Win |
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| Back to top |
|
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Jim Thompson
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:39 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
On 9 Dec 2005 15:37:08 -0800, Winfield Hill
<Winfield_member@newsguy.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Michael A. Terrell wrote...
Burn them to a CD ROM and only use them in a computer that isn't
connected to the internet. I'm in the process of moving my
collection of datasheets to CD ROMs myself. I have collected
thousands of them, along with hundreds of PDF catalogs.
My collection at this point would require at least three DVDs.
I appreciate your suggestion, but I object to any manufacturer
providing any datasheets that prudently require extraordinary
measures to look at them safely.
I'm already fed up with the new padlocked datasheets that don't
allow me to add any comments, such how I'd use the part, what
distributor has stock, etc. I routinely do this with parts I
keep in inventory, or am thinking about using. Moreover, they
won't let me extract a few pages to insert to the manual of an
instrument using the parts. They're saying, "Hands up! Back
off, stop even thinking about using these parts."
|
If the PDF allows "printing', print to PS, then run through Adobe
Distiller ;-)
...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |
I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food. |
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Mark Zenier
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:52 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
In article <pan.2005.12.08.21.48.11.954400@example.net>,
Rich Grise, but drunk <yahright@example.net> wrote:
| Quote: | I think there are also PDF utilities for Linux, but
I haven't really pursued it.
|
There's a script that converts postscript to pdf (that really calls
ghostscript and is a stock part of that package). ps2pdf. It defaults
to the letter size page, but that's adjustable.
There's bunch of other utilities that convert from whatever to postscript.
Look for programs that end in "2ps" or "tops". Or the Gimp will convert
just about anything if you wave the mouse around enough. (So will the
ImageMagick suite, but the versions I've used are buggier than hell and
use huge amounts of memory).
Mark Zenier mzenier@eskimo.com
Googleproofaddress(account:mzenier provider:eskimo domain:com) |
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| Back to top |
|
|
Spehro Pefhany
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:35 pm Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
On 10 Dec 2005 06:05:38 -0800, the renowned "PeteS"
<ps@fleetwoodmobile.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Winfield Hill wrote:
Christopher Cole wrote...
Can you see their URL or IP (? 65.17.226.156 ?) if you open the
document in a text editor? Can you point to a sample document? I'd
like to block whatever they are using right at the entry firewall.
You can get a copy of the document in question by googling for 0201cs.
It is the first match. In order to get a copy of this datasheet, The
company asks you for your email address so they can put a serial number
that is tied to you in their tracking database. They then email an
identifiable copy to you. I have written to the company in question
informing them that this is not good practice. It is actually a gaping
_security hole_.
What's all this pussyfooting around about? The company is Coilcraft,
and the document is simply their line of 0201CS Chip Inductors.
http://www.coilcraft.com/0201cs.cfm These are interesting small parts,
but it's not worth the hassle and control insult they put one through
to get the datasheet. In fact, with my computer's security settings
I'm unable to get the datasheet, perhaps that's what they intend.
I note they updated the web page just yesterday, "Updated: December,
08 2005 Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Contact
webmaster@coilcraft.com Copyright © 2005, Coilcraft, Inc."
I suggest we write this webmaster and voice our opinions. Perhaps he
will wiseup? If not, we can always write the company president. I'm
a longtime loyal Coilcraft customer and don't appreciate being yanked
or jerked around by marketing or by an errant, off-the-wall webmaster.
I save datasheets in my computer, carefully filed in organized company
folders, with the files often renamed for clarity in finding them. In
fact I have a nice collection of datasheets in my Coilcraft folder, but
not the new 0201CS chip-inductors parts. It's a shame I'm not going to
be looking at that datasheet. Does Coilcraft want to make this a trend?
I'm forced to wonder if I should avoid ever looking again at the other
Coilcraft datasheets I have in my computer, perhaps I should erase them.
Or at least erase the 30% of my Coilcraft files that have 2005 dates.
Sheesh!
I've been having so much damn trouble lately with my collection of six
active Windows computers that I'm getting more than a little paranoid
about allowing files into them that muck around with them in any way.
--
Thanks,
- Win
I use a fair amount of coilcraft stuff (although not a huge amount), so
I'll let them know of my displeasure.
Because I use external layout contractors, I need them to have the same
data as I have for device footprints. When (as mentioned) these
datasheets don't display at some future date if there is no net
connection, what then? These contractors regularly come to my office
with a laptop so we can do editing together (some things just have to
be done together). They don't nomally get to plug into our intranet
(for obvious reasons), so they have no net connection.
So any mfr that starts that silliness will find themselves completely
and unceremoniously deleted from my AVL for new designs, and replaced
where possible in existing ones.
Cheers
PeteS
|
The sad thing is that there is a real need for similar technology-
data sheets regularly are updated, and a 'smart' document that
discreetly (and optionally) notified you (perhaps a silent bar at the
top of the page rather than some obnoxious pop-up box that has to be
dismissed) if there was a new version or supplemental material such as
errata available whenever you opened it.. would be a GOOD thing. Who
cares if they use it to track your reading the datasheets, provided
you know about it, it doesn't prevent you from using the document as
before, and can easily disable it? Many applications automatically
(and OPTIONALLY) check for updates when you use them, why not
datasheets?
BUT, by trying to sneak this stuff under our radar, they've lost our
trust.
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
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PeteS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:35 pm Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
Winfield Hill wrote:
| Quote: | Christopher Cole wrote...
Can you see their URL or IP (? 65.17.226.156 ?) if you open the
document in a text editor? Can you point to a sample document? I'd
like to block whatever they are using right at the entry firewall.
You can get a copy of the document in question by googling for 0201cs.
It is the first match. In order to get a copy of this datasheet, The
company asks you for your email address so they can put a serial number
that is tied to you in their tracking database. They then email an
identifiable copy to you. I have written to the company in question
informing them that this is not good practice. It is actually a gaping
_security hole_.
What's all this pussyfooting around about? The company is Coilcraft,
and the document is simply their line of 0201CS Chip Inductors.
http://www.coilcraft.com/0201cs.cfm These are interesting small parts,
but it's not worth the hassle and control insult they put one through
to get the datasheet. In fact, with my computer's security settings
I'm unable to get the datasheet, perhaps that's what they intend.
I note they updated the web page just yesterday, "Updated: December,
08 2005 Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Contact
webmaster@coilcraft.com Copyright © 2005, Coilcraft, Inc."
I suggest we write this webmaster and voice our opinions. Perhaps he
will wiseup? If not, we can always write the company president. I'm
a longtime loyal Coilcraft customer and don't appreciate being yanked
or jerked around by marketing or by an errant, off-the-wall webmaster.
I save datasheets in my computer, carefully filed in organized company
folders, with the files often renamed for clarity in finding them. In
fact I have a nice collection of datasheets in my Coilcraft folder, but
not the new 0201CS chip-inductors parts. It's a shame I'm not going to
be looking at that datasheet. Does Coilcraft want to make this a trend?
I'm forced to wonder if I should avoid ever looking again at the other
Coilcraft datasheets I have in my computer, perhaps I should erase them.
Or at least erase the 30% of my Coilcraft files that have 2005 dates.
Sheesh!
I've been having so much damn trouble lately with my collection of six
active Windows computers that I'm getting more than a little paranoid
about allowing files into them that muck around with them in any way.
--
Thanks,
- Win
|
I use a fair amount of coilcraft stuff (although not a huge amount), so
I'll let them know of my displeasure.
Because I use external layout contractors, I need them to have the same
data as I have for device footprints. When (as mentioned) these
datasheets don't display at some future date if there is no net
connection, what then? These contractors regularly come to my office
with a laptop so we can do editing together (some things just have to
be done together). They don't nomally get to plug into our intranet
(for obvious reasons), so they have no net connection.
So any mfr that starts that silliness will find themselves completely
and unceremoniously deleted from my AVL for new designs, and replaced
where possible in existing ones.
Cheers
PeteS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PeteS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:35 pm Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
Donald wrote:
| Quote: | PeteS wrote:
My response was to block outbound traffic from Acrobat reader
completely at the firewall on my home system. This had other
serendipitous side effects such as the 'update' screen on Acrobat not
autodisplaying telling me it wants to download some 10s of megabytes of
updates.
How did you stop this action ??
I am using XP and I could not find out how to stop just Acrobat.
Thanks,
Donald
|
I use the ZoneAlarm Pro suite (about $50 includes a year of updates)
which permits me very flexible control of both inbound and outbound
connections (even an IPChains type expert rules setup) and a nifty OS
firewall (which lets me set rules on which programs can open/attach etc
to OS processes). Comes with full antivirus and antispyware too.
I'm sure there are others, but I like it.
Cheers
PeteS |
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PeteS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:00 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
Spehro Pefhany wrote:
| Quote: | On 10 Dec 2005 06:05:38 -0800, the renowned "PeteS"
ps@fleetwoodmobile.com> wrote:
The sad thing is that there is a real need for similar technology-
data sheets regularly are updated, and a 'smart' document that
discreetly (and optionally) notified you (perhaps a silent bar at the
top of the page rather than some obnoxious pop-up box that has to be
dismissed) if there was a new version or supplemental material such as
errata available whenever you opened it.. would be a GOOD thing. Who
cares if they use it to track your reading the datasheets, provided
you know about it, it doesn't prevent you from using the document as
before, and can easily disable it? Many applications automatically
(and OPTIONALLY) check for updates when you use them, why not
datasheets?
BUT, by trying to sneak this stuff under our radar, they've lost our
trust.
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
|
I must agree completely that it is a matter of trust. If, on the
datasheet download page (or perhaps next to the symbol) a mfr states
they track the datasheet and are completely upfront about all the
'chatter' involved I would have no problem - indeed, I could make an
informed decision.
As you note, having lost my trust, they now stand to lose my business.
There aren't many (if any at all) electronic equipment manufacturers
that can afford to press this sort of thing - most of the industry is
pretty cut-throat at the supplier level, and in the vast majority of
cases (especially at the original design stage), there are always
supplier and parts options.
Cheers
PeteS |
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PeteS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:10 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
The esteemed Spehro Pefhany wrote:
| Quote: | On 10 Dec 2005 06:05:38 -0800, the renowned "PeteS"
ps@fleetwoodmobile.com> wrote:
The sad thing is that there is a real need for similar technology-
data sheets regularly are updated, and a 'smart' document that
discreetly (and optionally) notified you (perhaps a silent bar at the
top of the page rather than some obnoxious pop-up box that has to be
dismissed) if there was a new version or supplemental material such as
errata available whenever you opened it.. would be a GOOD thing. Who
cares if they use it to track your reading the datasheets, provided
you know about it, it doesn't prevent you from using the document as
before, and can easily disable it? Many applications automatically
(and OPTIONALLY) check for updates when you use them, why not
datasheets?
BUT, by trying to sneak this stuff under our radar, they've lost our
trust.
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
|
On the practical aspects of your insightful comment, an automatic
updating **notification** when I open a datasheet would indeed be a
boon (although I would not want the original overwritten. If I have
issues later, I want to see the datasheet *I designed to*).
Certainly, I am on the email update list for every datasheet I have,
when the mfr offerrs such a service (TI is particulary good in this
regard), but an attention grabber when I merely open the datasheet
would be better.
I think I'll run that by some people I know at a couple of midsized
vendors.
Cheers
PeteS |
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PeteS
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:35 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
I just sent this to coilcraft:
<<
Dear Coilcraft
I am the principal design engineer of an electronics OEM company in the
UK (that company shall remain nameless). Your use of remote approach on
new datasheets is repugnant as nowhere does it tell me the datasheet,
when opened, will atempt to track my reading of the datasheet.
I have decided that as you have been underhanded (by adding 'call home'
attributes without telling me about it), I shall delete CoilCraft from
my approved vendor list for all new designs, and design your parts out
completely if possible in existing designs.
Your comments are appreciated.
PS
Cheers
PeteS |
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| Back to top |
|
|
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:35 am Post subject:
Re: Tracking links in datasheet PDFs |
|
|
This was also posted in the new thread that Pete opened:
Hello all,
I'm John Stellberg, Marketing Communications Manager at Coilcraft. Pete
and I have been communicating regarding this issue and I explained that
we had experimented with Remote Approach in an effort to prevent data
on 3 or 4 of our very newest products out of the hands of competitors.
Coilcraft isn't fond of being the R&D department for countless Asian
coilwinders.
I pulled the plug on our use of Remote Approach because of the security
concerns it raised with our customers and the realization that, even if
I did find that data had been routed to a competitor, the horse was
already out of the barn at that point.
There are perhaps 20 - 30 copies of tagged documents out there, and on
Monday we will be notifying recipients and sending replacement copies
without the Remote Approach code.
To anyone who has been inconvenienced or offended by this, I apologize.
Regards,
===============================
John Stellberg
Director of Marketing Communications
COILCRAFT
+1-847-516-7322
Fax +1-847-639-1469
jstellb...@coilcraft.com
1102 Silver Lake Road
Cary IL 60013 |
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