Hide an email address using vb script?

[mattyod]

Hi,

I'm wondering if you guys can help me with something.

I'm in the process of putting up an online html cv as well as a downloadable Word version. The thing is I have a terrible fear of spam bots gathering my email address.

It's not a problem for the html as I will use a javascript something like this...

<script language="JavaScript"><!--
var name = "protected";
var domain = "cdrsoft.com";
document.write('<a href=\"mailto:' + name + '@' + domain + '\">');
document.write(name + '@' + domain + '</a>');
// --></script>

basically breaking the email address into a few variables then placing it all together upon the rendering of the page.

Now I'm assuming that these spam bots can read a Word doc just as well as they can an html one so I was wondering is there a way of doing something similar in Word with vb?

I thought of using an image but as this is a cv I dont want to put any barriers at all to a potential employer emailing me. I want HR people to be able to just click on the link but I don't want bots to be able to see it.

Are any of you able to give me some pointers here as I know very little of vb. Also can any of you see any potential problems with using such a method?

Many thanks in advance :thumbsup:

[nikkiH]

Can you? Yes. But then whoever DLs your CV has to enable macros since that is what will be running to do it.
Enabling macros is a serious no-no when getting docs from the web. Virus city, baby!!

So, can you? Yup. Should you? Nope.
Use a general e-mail addy, such as yahoo, hotmail, or gmail, instead of your ISP mail. Then you don't need to worry about spam. When it gets too bad, you get a new address. :D

[mattyod]

Hmm thanks, that is a valid point. Man I hate spammers :(

I've been thinking some more and I will just put the thing in a zip file, everyone has something that can open a zip right?

I suppose I could create a form that emails the doc to people as well, hmm. Did I say I hate spammers?

[nikkiH]

No, not everyone has something that can open a zip.
But everyone who can download free stuff off the 'net can get it. I use 7zip, personally. Winzip is no longer free (we have a license at work, but I can't get a copy for home). And having used both, I like 7zip better, anyway.

Now, if you put it in a zip, you mess up your chances of letting it get indexed by search engines. Is that desirable?

[mattyod]

Sorry I was being sarcastic with "everyone can open a zip" file thing, though I'd assume/hope 99.9% of HR departments have some sort of "un-zipping" software.

Not too worried about the search engine referencing as the html version of the cv should cover that. This is just an extra for those who must have it in doc format, because I will be making a printable version with css as well. Also I think most who view the site will have been directed there and probably will have already been sent a .doc version by email. I'm just trying to cover as many angles as possible I guess.

Thanks again for the input :)

[nikkiH]

I think you're covered. :D