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  #1  
Old November 1st 18, 02:21 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Ed Cryer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,621
Default MS virtual assistant

https://goo.gl/U8pKA7

Can anybody get this to work under Win7?
There's no reaction at all here.

Ed
Ads
  #2  
Old November 1st 18, 05:46 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
VanguardLH[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,881
Default MS virtual assistant

Ed Cryer wrote:

https://goo.gl/U8pKA7


OP did not show both long (original) and shortened versions of the
redirection URL. Google does not have a preview option for users to see
to where a redirection URL points *before* going there. So I used a URL
lengthener service. The above Google-ized redirection URL points to:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/... c&query=10016

The 'referrer' argument can be deleted since it merely tells that
landing page from where you originally came, and if you go directly to
the landing page then you aren't coming from where the OP was
originally. In fact, none of the arguments are required. The already
short URL below works just fine to hit the same landing page:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...virtual-agent/

No need to hide the target by using using a redirection URL.

Can anybody get this to work under Win7? There's no reaction at all
here.


No information as to what client (web browser) the OP was using when
rendering the web page. No information what extensions were installed
by the OP in that unidentified client.

Could be the OP is using an adblocker or other extension that is
blocking the resources called for by that page or its scripts. Could be
some user-defined tweaking of the client's configuration prevents the
page from running as originally coded.

The page is poorly designed. Took me a while to determine where to
input my query string. It's at the bottom under the horizontal bar
where is shown some grayed out text. Then you click on the rightward
paper airplane icon; however, you can probably just hit the Enter key
after entering your query string. Guess they think everyone visiting
there is a texting junkie.

The page worked for me using Google Chrome v70 on Windows 7 SP-1 Home
Edition x64. It does have some extensions installed, like uBlock Origin
and uMatrix, but none of that page's resources are blocked in my setup.

The page also worked for me using Firefox v62 on the same host. Same
uBlock Origin and uMatrix extensions. Some resources for the page were
blocked but the page still worked.
  #3  
Old November 1st 18, 06:27 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Mayayana
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,438
Default MS virtual assistant

"VanguardLH" wrote

| OP did not show both long (original) and shortened versions of the
| redirection URL. Google does not have a preview option for users to see
| to where a redirection URL points *before* going there. So I used a URL
| lengthener service.

Thank you. I didn't know such things existed. I
usually just ignore these halfwit posts with obscured
links and no explanation. If someone doesn't have
the time to actually ask their question then why
spend time trying to figure it out? I didn't even know
whether he was talking about the webpage or the
topic on the webpage.

| https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...virtual-agent/

For me that goes to one of those Microsoft pages where
they block me completely for not allowing script. So then
I put the URL into Google and get the perfectly
readable, script-free version. But I don't see the agent.
Maybe that's because I've blocked script. Google shows it
getting redirected to an MS Office forum page that
happens to have a virtual agent question on it.

The picture on this page...
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...9-2f1005c17e8c

....seems to indicate that the annoying silliness
of Microsoft Bob has been cross-bred with the
irritating faux solicitousness of the actual MS people
who staff MS forums:

Q. How much is 2 + 2?

A. Thank you so much for asking your question.
Are you still having this problem? I'll be delighted
to help you. Please restate the problem twice and
include your Windows version along with all error
logs.

...Come to think of it, maybe all those MS experts
on their forums were just bots all along. That would
explain the inability of anyone to communicate
with them.



  #4  
Old November 1st 18, 06:50 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Bob_S[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 33
Default MS virtual assistant

"Ed Cryer" wrote in message news

https://goo.gl/U8pKA7

Can anybody get this to work under Win7?
There's no reaction at all here.

Ed


I'll assume you're using Chrome ver 70 and it does not work most likely
because Chrome is not accepting a lot of certificates that were
breached/faked etc.

The page works in IE-11.

--


Bob S.

  #5  
Old November 1st 18, 08:33 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Paul[_32_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,873
Default MS virtual assistant

Ed Cryer wrote:
https://goo.gl/U8pKA7

Can anybody get this to work under Win7?
There's no reaction at all here.

Ed


If a person puts a "+" on the end of the URL,
they'll get some info about the link before visiting.
The particular shortened URL has been visited 8 times
since creation. Putting a plus on the end, takes me here.

https://goo.gl/#analytics/goo.gl/U8pKA7/all_time

Since I was able to connect with Seamonkey, that means
the underlying URL isn't too specific with regard to browsers.

https://i.postimg.cc/CxXW6Ttf/my-dat...the-vortex.gif

Paul
  #6  
Old November 1st 18, 09:20 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Ed Cryer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,621
Default MS virtual assistant

VanguardLH wrote:
Ed Cryer wrote:

https://goo.gl/U8pKA7


OP did not show both long (original) and shortened versions of the
redirection URL. Google does not have a preview option for users to see
to where a redirection URL points *before* going there. So I used a URL
lengthener service. The above Google-ized redirection URL points to:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/... c&query=10016

The 'referrer' argument can be deleted since it merely tells that
landing page from where you originally came, and if you go directly to
the landing page then you aren't coming from where the OP was
originally. In fact, none of the arguments are required. The already
short URL below works just fine to hit the same landing page:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...virtual-agent/

No need to hide the target by using using a redirection URL.

Can anybody get this to work under Win7? There's no reaction at all
here.


No information as to what client (web browser) the OP was using when
rendering the web page. No information what extensions were installed
by the OP in that unidentified client.

Could be the OP is using an adblocker or other extension that is
blocking the resources called for by that page or its scripts. Could be
some user-defined tweaking of the client's configuration prevents the
page from running as originally coded.

The page is poorly designed. Took me a while to determine where to
input my query string. It's at the bottom under the horizontal bar
where is shown some grayed out text. Then you click on the rightward
paper airplane icon; however, you can probably just hit the Enter key
after entering your query string. Guess they think everyone visiting
there is a texting junkie.

The page worked for me using Google Chrome v70 on Windows 7 SP-1 Home
Edition x64. It does have some extensions installed, like uBlock Origin
and uMatrix, but none of that page's resources are blocked in my setup.

The page also worked for me using Firefox v62 on the same host. Same
uBlock Origin and uMatrix extensions. Some resources for the page were
blocked but the page still worked.


Thanks for taking the efforts you've shown. I quite agree that I was
very lax in the paucity of information I gave. I'll try and do better
next time.

Ed

  #7  
Old November 1st 18, 09:31 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,679
Default MS virtual assistant

In message , Mayayana
writes:
"VanguardLH" wrote

| OP did not show both long (original) and shortened versions of the
| redirection URL. Google does not have a preview option for users to see
| to where a redirection URL points *before* going there. So I used a URL
| lengthener service.

Thank you. I didn't know such things existed. I


Nor did I.

usually just ignore these halfwit posts with obscured
links and no explanation. If someone doesn't have


You mean like this (-:? http://www.khanya.org.za/peeves.htm

the time to actually ask their question then why
spend time trying to figure it out? I didn't even know
whether he was talking about the webpage or the
topic on the webpage.


And people make opposite assumptions; VLH assumed he meant the webpage,
I assumed he meant the topic (going from the thread title).

| https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...virtual-agent/

For me that goes to one of those Microsoft pages where
they block me completely for not allowing script. So then

[]
Q. How much is 2 + 2?

A. Thank you so much for asking your question.
Are you still having this problem? I'll be delighted
to help you. Please restate the problem twice and
include your Windows version along with all error
logs.


Priceless! I think that's going in my quotes file ... (-:

(Though you missed "your question is important to us".)

...Come to think of it, maybe all those MS experts
on their forums were just bots all along. That would
explain the inability of anyone to communicate
with them.

(-:


3
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Her [Valerie Singleton's] main job on /Blue Peter/ was to stop unpredictable
creatres running amok. And that was just John Noakes.
- Alison Pearson, RT 2014/9/6-12
  #8  
Old November 1st 18, 09:40 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Mayayana
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,438
Default MS virtual assistant

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote

| A. Thank you so much for asking your question.
| Are you still having this problem? I'll be delighted
| to help you. Please restate the problem twice and
| include your Windows version along with all error
| logs.
|
| Priceless! I think that's going in my quotes file ... (-:
|
| (Though you missed "your question is important to us".)

Woops. Yes, indeed. I guess I'm not the only one who's
pulled out some hair over those inanities. The worst of
it, to me, is that many of those people asking the
questions have enthusiastically abandoned the relatively
sane and helpful abode of usenet to be abused by such
idiocy.


  #9  
Old November 2nd 18, 01:55 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
mechanic
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,064
Default MS virtual assistant

On Thu, 1 Nov 2018 20:20:59 +0000, Ed Cryer wrote:

Thanks for taking the efforts you've shown. I quite agree that I
was very lax in the paucity of information I gave. I'll try and
do better next time.


Don't worry mate, most of us understood perfectly well what you were
asking. I just trialed a query on booting in UEFI mode and a useful
article was listed in response. Obviously comparable with Cortana or
even Google in what the answer might be but more fun to use.
  #10  
Old November 2nd 18, 07:21 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Ed Cryer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,621
Default MS virtual assistant

mechanic wrote:
On Thu, 1 Nov 2018 20:20:59 +0000, Ed Cryer wrote:

Thanks for taking the efforts you've shown. I quite agree that I
was very lax in the paucity of information I gave. I'll try and
do better next time.


Don't worry mate, most of us understood perfectly well what you were
asking. I just trialed a query on booting in UEFI mode and a useful
article was listed in response. Obviously comparable with Cortana or
even Google in what the answer might be but more fun to use.


Thanks for that, pal.
I've tried the link through Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome and
Safari; all from Win7 64bit.
The first three find the page, but nothing is clickable on it; and I've
moved the cursor all over it, no change at all from usual cursor to hand
icon.
The last (Safari) doesn't even find the page. The router is busy for a
couple of seconds, a colour change moves through the entered address,
but nothing turns up.

The full address I'm using is this;
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/... c&query=10016

I was thinking that maybe MS had simply disabled it, having moved on to
other interactive help. But some in this group say it works for them.

Ed
  #11  
Old November 2nd 18, 08:38 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
VanguardLH[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,881
Default MS virtual assistant

Paul wrote:

Ed Cryer wrote:
https://goo.gl/U8pKA7

Can anybody get this to work under Win7?
There's no reaction at all here.

Ed


If a person puts a "+" on the end of the URL,
they'll get some info about the link before visiting.
The particular shortened URL has been visited 8 times
since creation. Putting a plus on the end, takes me here.

https://goo.gl/#analytics/goo.gl/U8pKA7/all_time

Since I was able to connect with Seamonkey, that means
the underlying URL isn't too specific with regard to browsers.

https://i.postimg.cc/CxXW6Ttf/my-dat...the-vortex.gif

Paul


The plussed version of the URL does indeed show some stats. It does
have a hyperlink to the target URL; however, what it shows is NOT to
where it points! The hyperlink whose *comment* in its URL shows:

support.microsoft.com/en-us/contact/virtual-agent
(no protocol prefix shown)

actually goes to:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/... c&query=10016

You have to hover over the bogus URL hyperlink to see what the status
bar in your web browser shows, or you can right-click on the hyperlink,
copy the link *address* and paste (which is what I did here).

Thanks for the hint on using "+" at the end of the Google redirection
URL. Not really what I'd call a preview showing to where the
redirection URL actually points.

Remember that URL shortening services, like Google's and others, are
logging the user's IP address that visited that shortened URL. So, it's
a privacy issue: everyone clicking on that shortened URL is getting
tracked. Also, if the URL shortening service is discontinued, all those
archived short links are dead. The point to the shortening service, not
to the actual target site. If you consider the data as transient then
you don't care that someone reading your articles several years old
cannot see to what you previously redirected. I've hit several web
forums where the posters showed a shortened URL but it was dead, so you
couldn't see what they referenced.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ygrauer.../#5b0550123f69
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1604.02734v1.pdf

After reading those and other articles regarding URL shortening
services, I'll lessen or perhaps even curtail my use of such services
(and prod posters to reveal the original URLs when all they show is the
redirection links) and try to remember to show both the long (original)
and shortened URLS, like:

Original URL = originalURL
Shortened URL = shortURL

Then both forms are available: the original URL that doesn't hide the
target and goes direct to the target and the shortened URL for users who
use crappy clients that corrupt the original URL. The only time anyone
needs to use the shortURL is because their client screws up by slicing
long lines into multiple physical lines which slices apart the URL (by
injecting newlines into it). My client doesn't force a line-wrap of a
long line, so long URLs will still be in one physical line. However,
some posters use clients that will slice up a long line into multiple
physical lines hence corrupting the URL, and readers are stuck patching
back together the sliced-up URL and why short URLs became popular.
There are still some console or terminal NNTP clients that don't have a
horizontal scrollbar, so a short URL is handy for them but only if they
don't care about knowing to where they're going before they get there.
Those users really need to dump the crappy client. Some users - yes,
there are some - that use a web forum to get to Usenet (it operates an
HTTP-to-NNTP gateway). I've seen forums that truncate long URLs by
slicing off at some point and substituting "..." (ellipsis). Perhaps
those users can hover over the truncated URL to see to where it points,
or right-click on it and select "Copy URL to clipboard" but then they
have to paste somewhere to see the entire URL.

Shortened URLs don't just point to web pages that the site owners
created using horrifically long paths. They can also point to
executable files, so clicking on one without know to where it points,
like a path to a page or to a file, is as dangerous as opening and
running an executable attachment is an e-mailed scam. Not everyone is
going to bother visiting some URL lengthener service to find out to
where a shortened redirection link points. Just clicking on the short
URL can result in infecting your computer. They've become hazardous.

I've run into the same problem with Microsoft's e-mail service. They
want to slide in their protection service (Advanced Threat Protection)
by prepending their own domain into all URLs within e-mails delivered to
their service. If you look at the HTML code for an e-mail, you'll see
something like:

a href="originaldomain.tld/path/target" ...

replaced with:

a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/..."

I forget the arguments Microsoft puts in the redirection URL to identify
what was the original URL (I suspect the argname is url).

If you have a business or school-sponsored account, supposedly there is
a user-configurable option in your account where you can disable/enable
the ATP "feature". Freeloaders, like me, don't get that option.
Instead you have to contact Microsoft to request they disable ATP. I
used the feedback option in their webmail client (yep, they do respond)
to get them to remove their crap "feature" in my free account. They
claim they won't track, but they do albeit perhaps not personally to
yourself. It lets them kill their redirections that are found
malicious. It requires their ATP server not only be loaded but also
responsive AND reachable through whatever hops are needed between you
and their ATP server - so valid redirections will be dead if their ATP
server goes down (and it has) or is unreachable (they don't control the
routing between you and them). Sorry, I don't want nor need Microsoft
to cover my ass in the Internet. That's my responsibility with no
interference from them. Besides, I don't want them corrupting my
e-mails. I do report spam but Microsoft stymies that reporting because
tracking to the source of a hyperlink points at Microsoft, not to the
original target. Okay, guess Microsoft wants themself identified as the
spammer and I will honor their request. As long as Microsoft modifies
the hyperlinks in my e-mails, Microsoft will get identified as the spam
source when reporting the spam e-mails. They wanted to be the source.

I had Microsoft disable their ATP feature once, they complied, but later
they reenabled it (perhaps when they modified their webmail's UI), so I
had to contact them again to get ATP disabled. Each time it took over a
couple weeks before the ATP prefixed domain was no longer prepended to
the hyperlinks in my e-mails. However, all old e-mails with the ATP
prefixed URLs were stuck that way. If Microsoft decides to stop
corrupting their customer's e-mails by modifying the hyperlinks (URLs)
within then the customers are stuck with archived e-mails that will have
dead hyperlinks.
  #12  
Old November 2nd 18, 10:30 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Frank Slootweg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,226
Default MS virtual assistant

Ed Cryer wrote:
mechanic wrote:
On Thu, 1 Nov 2018 20:20:59 +0000, Ed Cryer wrote:

Thanks for taking the efforts you've shown. I quite agree that I
was very lax in the paucity of information I gave. I'll try and
do better next time.


Don't worry mate, most of us understood perfectly well what you were
asking. I just trialed a query on booting in UEFI mode and a useful
article was listed in response. Obviously comparable with Cortana or
even Google in what the answer might be but more fun to use.


Thanks for that, pal.
I've tried the link through Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome and
Safari; all from Win7 64bit.
The first three find the page, but nothing is clickable on it; and I've
moved the cursor all over it, no change at all from usual cursor to hand
icon.


You do realize that this is a chat-style UI, don't you?

At the bottom of the page, there is a - rather crummy - message
composition box with the usual 'paper aeroplane' send button.

If you use chat-style ('instant messaging') apps like WhatsApp, you'll
recognize the UI-style they use.

BTW, I asked "How to disable Windows 10 updates?". Next thing I saw
that CNN reported that a server-farm in Redmond went up in flames. :-)

[...]
  #13  
Old November 2nd 18, 11:20 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Ed Cryer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,621
Default MS virtual assistant

Frank Slootweg wrote:
Ed Cryer wrote:
mechanic wrote:
On Thu, 1 Nov 2018 20:20:59 +0000, Ed Cryer wrote:

Thanks for taking the efforts you've shown. I quite agree that I
was very lax in the paucity of information I gave. I'll try and
do better next time.

Don't worry mate, most of us understood perfectly well what you were
asking. I just trialed a query on booting in UEFI mode and a useful
article was listed in response. Obviously comparable with Cortana or
even Google in what the answer might be but more fun to use.


Thanks for that, pal.
I've tried the link through Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome and
Safari; all from Win7 64bit.
The first three find the page, but nothing is clickable on it; and I've
moved the cursor all over it, no change at all from usual cursor to hand
icon.


You do realize that this is a chat-style UI, don't you?

At the bottom of the page, there is a - rather crummy - message
composition box with the usual 'paper aeroplane' send button.

If you use chat-style ('instant messaging') apps like WhatsApp, you'll
recognize the UI-style they use.

BTW, I asked "How to disable Windows 10 updates?". Next thing I saw
that CNN reported that a server-farm in Redmond went up in flames. :-)

[...]


Ah, got it. Ha, ha, ha. It only opens when you type something in the "eg
Replace password" box.

That's the first time I've ever come across that.

Ed
 




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