creating affiliate links: an easier way?

affiliate web sites are so slow

[savetz]

I frequently need to create affiliate links through Commission Junction, LinkShare, and BeFree, and am continually frustrated by the slowness and poor navigation of the "create links" tools on those sites. I always need to link to particular items rather than sections or promotions -- is there an easy way to generate valid links myself without relying on those painfully slow sites?

I found a glimmer of what I want to know in this discussion (http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum20/1663.htm) where someone said "you can ALWAYS use a full url. just add url= after the CJ link". That's a start. Any other tips on quickly generating product links?

I'd also like to know when and if tracking images are required. CJ/LinkShare imply that they are absolutely vital - some message I've seen here say they're not.

Thanks

[Edwin]

I'd also like to know when and if tracking images are required. CJ/LinkShare imply that they are absolutely vital - some message I've seen here say they're not.

I have found that I can dispense with the tracking image *if* I get permission from the individual merchant first. I explain *why* I want to get rid of the image, and about 50% of the time they go along with it (and the other 50% of the time I look for a different merchant)

[JMusic]

The impression tracking image is not required. When someone clicks your link, it tracks it whether there was an impression or not. However, it may be smart to keep the impression tracking image on the code to keep from being contacted about "fraud" on your account.

[Edwin]

The fraud issue is exactly why I contact the merchant first.

[savetz]

Can someone explain what the codes in the CJ links mean? For instance,
[qksrv.net...]

I assume the first set of numbers is a unique ID identifying my account and the merchant. What's the other set?