Wikipedia Unblackout Bookmarklet | Hacker News Reader

Wikipedia Unblackout Bookmarklet

11 pointsbkrausz6 comments

As much as I support the blackouts, I have already contacted my representatives (though I think all the ones in the bay area are anti-SOPA). I think that earns me some Wikipedia time :). Turns out their blackout is just some CSS/JS added to the page (was probably the easiest way to implement it). This bookmarklet removes that (though it must be clicked on every page):

  javascript:(function(){$('#mw-sopaOverlay').hide();$('#mw-page-base, #mw-head-base, #content, #mw-head, #mw-panel, #footer').show();}())

Save that as a bookmark URL, click, and Wikipedia away on a non-mobile site.

Wouldn't it have been easier for them to redirect everything to a static black page instead of overlaying this with fancy CSS magic? Not to mention the fact that every page still gets loaded before the banner pops up, which is not only visually jarring, but also puts completely unnecessary load on their servers. Doesn't serving content cost money?

It was done this way on purpose.

This was intended. The explanation even mentioned that you should turn off JavaScript or a mobile device if you really need Wikipedia.

Adapted:

  javascript:(function(){$('#mw-sopaOverlay').remove();$('div:hidden').show();}())

This is a neat workaround, but you can just hit "escape" on any page to do the same thing.

Dang. Where was this on the 18th? I was checking HN all day.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com