'Bad Referrer' message when trying to view the Archive.

Thanks everyone for the help, it is very much appreciated. Maybe sometime I can return the favor. Steve

It seems each browser will have its own cure.

If anyone finds the settings in other browsers please post them here.

Neil

Neil,

It is not up to the user to change browser settings to allow this to work but the website designer should have been aware of the change to limiting referrers and made the necessary changes to allow the magazines to be viewed. I suggest your web designers read this and this and then make the necessary changes.

One reason for confusion over whether Microsoft Edge works is that the original version of Edge has recently been changed to a version based on Chromium which means it is almost identical to Google Chrome.

Richard

Hi Richard,

The situation is that the website has been working for around a decade and the browser designers have made changes without regard for the impact they have on existing websites.

Unfortunately Our website designers were not ably to see that far into the future...

Neil

Microsoft are aware of this (although at least one reader has been told it's an error in our website). You can change the behaviour of Edge by changing registry values but in the future this will not work:

**LINK**

I don't recommend changing registry values unless you know what you are doing.

That said, we are looking to see if there are ways around the problem, but it is likely to involve a re-design of how the system works.

Neil

Good news!

We think this problem may now have been solved.

Please could users of different browsers try to view the archive and report back?

Many thanks,

Neil

It works on the latest version of Microsoft Edge!

Thanks for solving the problem.

Richard

I know this is over a year down the line - during which IT security measures have continuously improved and strengthened - but I have struggled unsuccessfully to access the ME back numbers with exactly the same symptoms described above, and trying the fixes mentioned to no avail. I'm using W10 and have tried Firefox, Edge, Chrome and IE. The closest I get to success is a greyed-out screen asking me to download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, which in 2021 is an unworkable proposition. And no, I don't expect to have to buy an Android phone to view them, either.

A few observations:

- I feel short-changed by this, because one of my main specific reasons for taking out the digital (as well as paper) subscription was the ability to scan early back numbers. So, the service I am paying for is unavailable.

- Adobe Flash Player is from end 2020 no longer supported and recommended to be uninstalled from machines for security reasons. It's no longer a reasonable expectation.

- Most of the fixes - whether they work or not - rely on disabling security features. Not a good idea in my book.

- If the website hosting the back numbers is so behind the times in terms of IT security, am I opening up my PC to potential IT security threats by downloading files from there?

- It's a fact of IT life that IT solutions - browsers, operating systems, applications, networks etc. - have to be continuously updated to counter IT security threats; updates that inevitably impact the working of websites. It might seem unfair (like life in general), but because a website operated satisfactorily last month doesn't mean it will work this month. Significant changes are usually flagged up well in advance to give developers time to update their website workings.

Meanwhile - because I realise this isn't really anyone's responsibility in this forum (I'm just having a vent, basically ) - if anyone running W10 has found a successful and secure fix in 2021, I would love to hear it.

I will however think about writing to Martin Evans II - he does listen and reply - and relay my thoughts to him.

/J

Hi there has anyone got an answer to the flash error yet as I cannot read the older versions of the Model Engineers Workshop. I have tryied Firefox,Chrome,Edge

All I get is

you need to upgrade your Flash Player

veiwing this ebook requires Adobe Flash Player

Thanks

Bob

Edited By Redpiperbob on 18/01/2022 09:09:40

I have written today to Martin Evans requesting he takes it up with people responsible for digital content.

I'll keep this list posted on any replies.

Best wishes

I did ask the question again last week of neil and another MTM Staff member but they did not respond to that part of my e-mails.

Some ipad users have reported they can still view the old stuff using Chrome.

I'm having the same problem. I'd like to make progress on being able to view the back issues.

John Dilsaver

Sparta, MO

Sorry folks,

I am equally frustrated that progress on this is proving very slow.

It seems that sorting out older issues may be on hold for a bit as they may all be moved to a new platform. I am waiting for news on the timetable.

Thanks for your patience, it does seem Chrome a can read them with a suitable extension.

Neil

I did get a reply from Martin Evans on 20th January who promised to forward my email to the Distribution Manager who apparently "will know the right people to 'encourage' to get this situation resolved". I shall wait but not hold my breath.

Neil, are you referring to the Chrome Adobe Flash Player Emulator 2022 by any chance?

/J

I have just installed an extension on Microsoft Edge called Flash Player and this does work on the archive and I can read the magazines. It is based on something called the Ruffle Engine and I think there are several extensions which use it be be beware of what the extension can access on the browser, one called Flash 2022 is horrendous!

On to install Edge you go to the Extensions tab in the ... menu and then select Open Microsoft Edge Add-ons and search for Flash Player and it will give you a list. I selected Flash Player written by flash player and it seems OK.

Richard

Does it work with the early Model Engineer's magazines Richard? Issue 4153 (subscription needed) is the oldest ME available and Ruffle on Firefox can't read it today, sob.

A possible confusion is that Edge and other up-to-date Browsers can all read the latest magazines because these have been converted to HTML5. MyTimeMedia are slowly working backwards through the archive but progress is painfully slow, reason unstated. My guess is there isn't an easy way of converting Flash into HTML5 and someone is slowly creating HTML5 magazines page by page from the masters.

Unfortunately, Ruffle's developers seem to be working on Flash Videos and Games rather than magazine reading, It's probably because reading magazines is a minority interest compared with the millions who watch videos and play games.

Doubly unfortunately demand for a Flash replacement has generated a bunch of fakes, up to no good if you install them. Take care when experimenting with Flash alternatives: I steered clear of Flash 2020 thanks to Richard's advice.

Dave

Sorry Dave it looks as if I made a mistake but I thought I clicked on the last page of the magazine index to try it but I must have mistyped.

Richard

Has anyone had an update to this issue, I can not read the older archive issues due to the flash problem?

See last post in this thread

Adobe FlashPlayer End Of Life | Model Engineer (model-engineer.co.uk)

The Archive will hopefully be sorted when it is transferred to Mortons' system, but I am not sure exactly howand when this will take place.

Neil