hotlinking

This is a bit of a test. Take a look at the image on the left.

Now, right click the image and click View the Image.  When it loads, click refresh.

Then click the back button to come back here, notice that the image in this post has changed.

This has been done with mod_rewrite and some clever PHP scripting.There are two images.  When you view the image from another page, like this blog, the image along with an advertisement is displayed.  When you view the image by itself, it is like seeing the image on the site you should see it on, so the image without the ad is displayed.

A script is being used to work out where the image is being displayed, and to deliver the appropriate graphic.  Next time you get annoyed about someone stealing your bandwidth by hot linking to photos on your website, and displaying the photo in their website, turn the situation around and work out how you can use it to your advantage.