What is the best way to mask a URL within osCommerce? What about how
to mask any URL in a Linux/Apache environment, where target pages are
.html or .php or whatever???

I could have domainnameonly.com or a random ficticious URL generated
on the fly or from a list of ficticious URLs.  I just need to protect
the actual URL so it can't be seen in the address box.

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Request for Question Clarification by hailstorm-ga on 28 Jan 2004 17:11 PST

author20,

While I'm not familiar with osCommerce, couldn't you just use
javascript to launch a new window where the address bar is not
displayed, like this:

http://javascript.internet.com/forms/open-window.html

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Clarification of Question by author20-ga on 28 Jan 2004 18:47 PST

I appreciate this, I'm testing now and I think this might fit the ticket.

By the way, do you do javascript?

Garry

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Clarification of Question by author20-ga on 29 Jan 2004 00:55 PST

This works ! Thanks, I thank you and will pay the fee for a good answer.

author20,

As explained above, the easiest way to mask a URL from the average
user is to pop up a new browser window using Javascript with your
desired settings.

The procedure for doing this and creating the Javascript for your page
can be found here:

http://javascript.internet.com/forms/open-window.html

Sources cited:
--------------
The Javascript Source
http://javascript.internet.com/

This expert answered my question, suggesting an excellent javascript
solution. Boy, it works.  And so small and powerful. But most
important -- he was fast. For google answers, fast is important.
Highest rating.

By the way, I'm not an expert on Javascript, but I'm aware of it's
capabilities, and using the resources on the Internet I'm usually able
to get it to do the things I need.  The Webmonkey Javascript Tutorial
is one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it if you are
interested in learning more about the capabilities of Javascript:

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/javascript/tutorials/tutorial1.html

Hi,
With popup blockers, your solution might not work (ex: google toolbar)
etc. So, if this page is critical, beware of this issue.
Thanks

Another popular way to mask URLs is by using frames. This will work
even if the browser has popup busters. Sometimes this technique is
referred to as the "cloaking device".

e.g. 
http://www.thegreetings.com/interface/howto.html
http://forums.devshed.com/archive/15/2001/4/2/13363

I finally developed a highly secure pay-per-view version of osCommerce
with the following:

Anti-robot security (picture password)
Standard password security
Transaction security (merchant can require pre-paid access to content)
IP tracking and IP security (user configurable)
URL masking - hides content server domain, IP, filenames, server location, etc.
Compatible with all digital rights management frameworks
Compatible with authentication systems (such as Passport)

it is designed for the following types of sites:

Record Label / MP3 Site Independent Film Producer Streaming Video Site 
Live Event Broadcaster Research Report Site Publisher (ebooks, etc.),
Game Server Site Software Download Site Concert, Movie, Theater
Tickets, Membership & Dating Sites, Political Meet-up, Political Fund
raising sites, Stock Photos Online Enterprise Portal.

I am making this software available without license charge for
selected non-profits.  If somebody is looking for osc pay-per-view, my
company's site will be launched soon.  I don't think I can post links
to my site here, but certain keywords will most likely find my site.

If you are using an Apache web server, you can use "rewrite" in
.htaccess to modify your URL's to anything you want.  See my
osCommerce website:

http://www.imagecritique.com

osC uses .php based web pages, but notice how my web pages (index.php
and product_info.php in particular) are descriptive .html URLs
instead!  They are created using a contribution to osC that you can
find on their website at:

http://www.oscommerce.com

In general you would add this to your .htaccess file along with the
contribution code:

Options +FollowSymLinks
RewriteEngine On 
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^(.*)-p-(.*).html$ product_info.php?products_id=$2&%{QUERY_STRING}
RewriteRule ^(.*)-c-(.*).html$ index.php?cPath=$2&%{QUERY_STRING}
RewriteRule ^(.*)-m-(.*).html$ index.php?manufacturers_id=$2&%{QUERY_STRING}