Database Develop

Permanent Ad Blocks in computer

I used a different way to block ads on my laptop using Google Chrome. This works differently from AdBlock. This is a manual way. A bit difficult to grasp hold off though.
So basically using Google Chrome's JavaScript console you take off the bits of code that represent the ads and the ads vanish.
I was wondering whether this could be implemented somehow in an application. This app would run the website. Then you would get a similar version of the Javascript console, you would take off the ads and then the app would let you access the rest of the website.
This could be an amazing add-on for a web browser.
Here's link to a How-to I made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K59MI4e7J3w&context=C364178cADOEgsToPDskKvHDuKcmE4emuZg8UD6I7g
[PLEASE A MOD MOVE THIS TO A DEVELOPMENT FORUM] Sorry, did not realise while posting.

You should do some reading and learn (if you need to) Javascript (and jQuery) and look into writing a Chrome extension that would remove elements from a page with a right-click -> delete type action. Also, with Chrome you can get to the element much quicker. Right-click and do "Inspect element". It opens the dom explorer with the selected element highlighted so you can just right-click it and "delete node". Much quicker than manually scrolling through the dom.
Incidentally, the only problem with doing it manually is that the hidden elements are there next time you visit the site, or if you refresh the page.

Thanks. Im just a 17 year old kid with big dreams
Just working on getting my way around VB and Java. Will try to learn something about jQuery after my prelims end.

hateem said:
Thanks. Im just a 17 year old kid with big dreams
Just working on getting my way around VB and Java. Will try to learn something about jQuery after my prelims end.
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Click to collapse
If you're going to be doing some Java then that would be a good intro for JavaScript, which is a web based scripting language, but it has its origins in the same roots as Java so there are similarities in syntax.
I was an 8 year old kid with big dreams I stuck with them and I've now been working as a professional developer, writing windows software, mobile software and web applications for about 16 years. If it's what you want then stick at it. You're post proves you have the right mix of creativity and curiosity needed to persist with development. I just hope you're good at maths too

thanks it was helpfull

Blocking just the visible page content will never be a 100% proof. There are plenty of javascript ads that generate the content on the fly.

[email protected] said:
Blocking just the visible page content will never be a 100% proof. There are plenty of javascript ads that generate the content on the fly.
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Click to collapse
So you just hide it once it's generated. There's always ways round it. Just nothing generic.

hateem said:
I used a different way to block ads on my laptop using Google Chrome. This works differently from AdBlock. This is a manual way. A bit difficult to grasp hold off though.
So basically using Google Chrome's JavaScript console you take off the bits of code that represent the ads and the ads vanish.
I was wondering whether this could be implemented somehow in an application. This app would run the website. Then you would get a similar version of the Javascript console, you would take off the ads and then the app would let you access the rest of the website.
This could be an amazing add-on for a web browser.
Here's link to a How-to I made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K59MI4e7J3w&context=C364178cADOEgsToPDskKvHDuKcmE4emuZg8UD6I7g
[PLEASE A MOD MOVE THIS TO A DEVELOPMENT FORUM] Sorry, did not realise while posting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for sharing this with us, this will come in handy

Archer said:
So you just hide it once it's generated. There's always ways round it. Just nothing generic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind do it on each page refresh, go for it...dealing with the source is the way to go, not like this.
I personally don't use Chrome, I prefer Firefox and AdBlock there works magic, it works at the root of the ads and also allows block visible parts on the page as well.

Revenue generation
You know you shouldn't really be blocking those ads as it helps pay for these sites, including xdadevelopers. Those ads are the key to keeping these very informative sites free to everyone. If there are certain advertisements that bother you, then I suggest finding something that blocks only certain ads, say just block popups but not the banner types.

I don't mind ads at all on websites like XDA and most others. I was referring to websites that ask you to complete surveys and select ads in order to reveal their content. I was frustrated with the general concept and the limitations that Ad blockers had.
The regular ad is ok, but ad infested websites is what I dislike.
They wish to monetise from the content they have, that is ok. But when people start getting greedy, that becomes a problem.

[Q] New at WP8, questions not stored in FAQ

Hello,
I'm just starting my dev journey with WP8 with my new T-Mobile Lumia 520.
First what I need to do is to debrand my lumia - for faster updates. T-Mobile is not offering yet the next release of fw which allows to disable images in IE, and as dev I need to be up-to-date as fast as possible. I need to download the FW, but I don't know which one - localized for sure, but what GDR is? What Amber means? I can't decide which one do I need to download and flash. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2515453 This instruction doesn't show the moment of decision).
Next question is about unlocking. I'm downloading music from Soundcloud via Cloudoh and I want to access them from my PC, same as files located inside of other apps - do I need to unlock the device to do that? For example - how to upload a pdf from PC to winpho pdf reader?
Windows Store allows me to download installable files at PC and install them via SD Card. Some apps aren't supposed to work with my device. Is there any solution how to install them at my risk?
And the last question, but not least - I have my dev account but its time limited and app-count-limited. Is there any way how to check if my Lumia is dev-unlocked, how long this unlock lasts and what is my current app-limit? Just for my information - I like to have the ways to check everything.
Please, help me

GDR = General Distribution Release (a brief web search would have told you this). Microsoft-ese for a post-initial-release update (think of service packs for other MS software). The current version is GDR3, also called Update 3. "Amber" is Nokia's codename for the firmware version that they ship along with GDR2. "Black" is Nokia's firmware name for GDR3. Note that OEM firmware (such as Amber or Black) are different from Microsoft OS updates (such as GDR2 or Update 3), although they are typically delivered together. If you're already on at least GDR2, you can get Update 3 directly from Microsoft without waiting for T-Mobile or Nokia; search the Store for "Preview for Developers".
You cannot access files stored inside an app from anywhere else, either a PC or another app, unless the app explicitly makes them available by including a method to export them. Most apps don't implement this. The only exceptions to this rule are for images (which can be stored in the Pictures Library of the phone, much like the built-in camera app or screenshot functions) and OEM apps, which can have extra permissions (Capabilities, such as ID_CAP_PUBLIC_FOLDER_FULL) that aren't allowed for third-party developers. However, for development apps (that is, ones which were sideloaded to your phone from an unsigned XAP file), you can access their Isolated Storage from your PC using the aptly-named Isolated Storage Explorer Tool (or any other program that implements the required APIs, such as Windows Phone Power Tools).
To upload a PDF to the phone, you can do any number of things. Over USB, copy it to the Documents folder on the phone using any MTP software (Windows Explorer works). Over Bluetooth, just send the file directly. Over email, just attach the PDF. Over the Internet, you can use SkyDrive, or any other "cloud" app, or if it's on a web server you can get it from the phone's browser...
I'm not aware of any work-around for the minimum-memory restriction on some apps. I believe it mostly only applies to large games? In any case, you have one of the lowest-end WP8 devices on the market; there are limits which come with that.
The official way to tell if your phone is dev-unlocked is to use the Windows Phone Developer Registration tool, the same one you use to do the dev-unlock in the first place. A paid developer account always gives a limit of 10 apps (the free one is 2 apps). There's no official way to tell how many apps you have remaining, but it's simple enough to tell if you have any space left; just try sideloading any app that isn't already installed!

GoodDayToDie said:
GDR = General Distribution Release (a brief web search would have told you this).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I did some sort of search on forums and Google and I haven't found anything.
GoodDayToDie said:
You cannot access files stored inside an app from anywhere else, either a PC or another app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After unlock it is still unaccessible? I had to jailbreak my iPad because without jb it is not easy to operate. I thought about something like this for Lumia. I think it is only the need of time for others to omit this problem
Disney offered lastly a promotion for its games. I was interested with some of them, but only one was accessible for my device. xap file needed only 70 mb of space. I think there was a problem with performance, but if I want see a laggy game I should have the ability to install it despite everything.

There's no jailbreak available for Lumia phones yet. Something like that should, indeed, allow accessing the storage of the apps (and everything else) but we don't have one...
The size of the XAP has very little to do with the runtime requirements of the app (RAM and CPU). I have written apps of only a few kilobytes that required over 10 gigs of RAM to run (not a phone app, obviously). To avoid people with low-end phones getting annoying with the platform and thinking it's the fault of either Microsoft or the app developer when an app crashes from running out of RAM, they've prohibited installing high-RAM apps on low-RAM devices.

You mean T-Mobile's Lumia 521 right? There's no other ROM you can flash to it that might have the update.

Is there such a thing as only making banner ads go away and keeping the rest stock?

Does it require root? And if so, is there a way to do it that is minimally impactful to the stock software already on the phone?
The reason I ask is that I've never been 100% satisfied with how custom ROMs have worked or how the phones I've had have seemed to experience issues post-hacking. Ideally I'd be able to keep what comes stock and just be able to make the ads go away, both apps and websites.
What would this group recommend for a new Moto X4?

How about set up OpenVPN and something like Pi Hole on your home network. Then when out & about VPN into your home network to get mobile ad blocking as well. Could be some cost and fiddling for sure.

Ya I hear you on that (having rooted devices in the past but not wanting to now)
For web browsing it's fairly easy. Install Firefox then the uBlock origin add on.

Thanks. Hoping for something non-browser specific if I can that also blocks ads inside apps. I did end up finding this and so far it's worked ok. It's a VPN proxy app.
https://android.gadgethacks.com/how...pps-without-root-extra-battery-drain-0174614/

Yeah its called buying the one thats not from amazon.

Yes, With Root you can Install AdAway. It simply populates your HOSTS file with all the ad sites, thus preventing any app from retrieving ads.

I'd recommend dns66, which is non-root and creates a local VPN provider for the sole purpose of blocking DNS queries to known ad hosts, similar to how the root apps do it except with the VPN instead of modifying /etc/hosts.
Although it does not remove the banner ads. Those ads probably come from a host that is not on blocklists; or since it comes through the app, it can't be singled out like normal.
Also, you currently cannot root the Amazon edition since the bootloader is not unlockable.

DNS over TLS in Pie

Android 9 supports "Private DNS" which uses DNS-over-TLS to provide better security and privacy, I set my X4 to "dns.google" instead of "automatic", as per this article: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2018/04/dns-over-tls-support-in-android-p.html
- looking for some insights/comments on a subject of practical benefits of this feature.
Google private DNS setup: https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using#android

A DNS over TLS connection is encrypted in the same way HTTPS is. It can also sometimes be quicker than the default DNS (correct me if I'm wrong about this). However, airports and some other places do not allow external DNS, forcing you to turn it off.

MisterFribble said:
A DNS over TLS connection is encrypted in the same way HTTPS is. It can also sometimes be quicker than the default DNS (correct me if I'm wrong about this). However, airports and some other places do not allow external DNS, forcing you to turn it off.
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Click to collapse
Good to know that, I was setting up my new router at home the other day, so I went through some web sites getting some info and ended up changing all DNS/iPvs etc..., that's how I stumbled upon that 'tls' thing and was wondering if it has any merit to it. My desktop browser(Firefox) used to be very slow and now it's pulling pages really fast after changing to Google DNS from random default. Am suspecting my cable co. has been monitoring my web traffic, slowing it down.

With dns.adguard the phone has functional add blocker, tried several free apps from the play store and it seem to filter adverts out pretty good, no standalone app just the private dns set up:

mzsquared said:
With dns.adguard the phone has functional add blocker, tried several free apps from the play store and it seem to filter adverts out pretty good, no standalone app just the private dns set up:
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Click to collapse
I agree. But it still lets a few ads though. So if there is a better dns-over-tls alternative to adguard I'm open to trying it.

Nezzox said:
I agree. But it still lets a few ads though. So if there is a better dns-over-tls alternative to adguard I'm open to trying it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try adguard.apk. I like just the simple dns thing. Here is a link w/ a lot of information about it, see all the comments below the article:
https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/...wn-dns-service-and-it-works-with-android-pie/

mzsquared said:
You can try adguard.apk. I like just the simple dns thing. Here is a link w/ a lot of information about it, see all the comments below the article:
https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/...wn-dns-service-and-it-works-with-android-pie/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I used blokada before. The point for me is to find something that enables me to not use a apk. The ideal solution would be to have a more aggressive dns-over-tls adblocking since it's possible in Android pie. I feel that adguard is too allowing and does not fair well in blocking ads delivered from Facebook or local ads.

Unable to sign in to open Wi-Fi that requires sign-in

Ever since I have this phone, I have been unable to sign-in to open Wi-Fi services that require it (like in some fast-food chains for example).
Usually when you make use of seach a service you are directed to a sign-in page in your webbrowser, after which you enter some details and/or accept some conditions. However, whenever I am directed to such a page it will not load. I have tried this in multiple places, all resulting in the same error. The error tells me it couldn't connect to the server by the way, the same you get when you try to browse without having a connection. My default browser is FireFox, but I have also tried switching default to stock browser and chrome so the page would be opened there, and they garner the same result. Coincidentally I have been perfectly fine signing in on FireFox with a different device. I think this pretty much excludes the browser as the culprit, so it seems like a device problem. Possibly a setting somewhere?
In any case, if anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them!

I had a similar issue, I realised that it was because I was using adguard DNS. Turned that off and it now works 100% of the time.

I'm having this problem with the WiFi at the gym. I don't have adguard either. Not sure what causes this. I'm also using Firefox, but I didn't have any problems with my HTC.

I usually find it's because most sites use https and the sign in pages are using http.
Try going to a site that still uses http, my site of choice, as it's easy to remember is:
http://neverssl.com

NJ72 said:
I had a similar issue, I realised that it was because I was using adguard DNS. Turned that off and it now works 100% of the time.
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Click to collapse
I did indeed have Blokada installed with adguard DNS enabled. But even uninstalling it didn't solve the issue for me. Thanks for the suggestion though!
chistery said:
I usually find it's because most sites use https and the sign in pages are using http.
Try going to a site that still uses http, my site of choice, as it's easy to remember is:
http://neverssl.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion! Just visisted a couple of http only sites, and they loaded just fine. So I suppose my issue is elsewhere.

Http://neverssl.com is useful for when you are trying to sign on to a wifi portal and need to go to a page that won't redirect to https and fail.

So I found a setting in the device settings for a DNS server. Switching it to 'automatic' allowed me to access the login site for the WiFi service, so yesterday I was able to use the connection. Unfortunately, after a device reboot, it failed to allow me to sign in again. Every time this happens, it tries to direct me to connectivitycheck.platform.hicloud.com and then fails to connect. Luckily due to my success earlier, I had the link to the sign-in page in my history and that allowed me to visit the sign-in page directly. Visiting neverssl did nothing for me in any of the cases, by the way. All in all I suppose it has something to do with the DNS settings of the device, even though changing them to the settings that worked for me before didn't do anything for me this time.