Sun. November 4 2007, 10:36:27 AM
Chris, do you think that uses php to modify the images that way? Pretty cool article though, I wonder if Amazon will makes changes to it now that somebody has figured it all out.
A list of different URL modifications that can create uncanny and bizarre images, all on Amazon's image server. You can add wacky percent off offers, even multiple ones on one item, as well as add text over the top of a product. The sample gallery shows off some creative (mis)uses of their system.
By: Chris Retlich
Chris, do you think that uses php to modify the images that way? Pretty cool article though, I wonder if Amazon will makes changes to it now that somebody has figured it all out.
I imagine they could be using PHP/gd library, or they could be using a custom CGI program too. The serer identifier based on the header is "Server", so that doesn't really help much. I'm not sure they will take the effort to change it at all, especially since the altered images don't directly affect their sales pages or anything, maybe just to stop hotlinking or something. Looks like this info has been around for a while - lots of search results for "amazon image hacking".