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Re:Tell HN: Add a '+' to the end of any bit.ly link to get t... by imp on Monday May 24, 2010 @11:51AM (#1374894)
1) You're potentially breaking the web because those links you're posting aren't guaranteed to last forever.

2) By posting bitly links, you're encouraging people to click on shortened links. Shortened links can be used to disguise malware, viruses, etc.

3) I don't feel that you have the right to know how many people click on a link on a domain you don't own.

Re:Tell HN: Add a '+' to the end of any bit.ly link to get t... by RiderOfGiraffes on Monday May 24, 2010 @12:02PM (#1374927)
I don't deny any of that, I'm just saying that there are advantages.

For stuff I care about long term I put a reference on my own site, and I either cache the target page myself, of record enough of it that a Google search is likely to find something similar. That way I can fix it if it breaks.

For stuff that I don't care about beyond three months, why should I bother? OK, perhaps I should bother because of the potential for malware, etc, and I recognise that, but for me, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

If you think this is wrong, offer me a service that makes my life easier, otherwise all you're doing is saying "Don't do that."

And I'm not sure that I don't have at least some right to know how many people click on a link that I've provided, even if it's to someone else's domain. If I can get that information, and it's of use to me, why should I not do it?

Finally, I'm not talking about the links on my domains. For them I use long references. I'm talking about links provided in SMS, Facebook IM, twitter, and other similar media. I don't really see how providing short links there are "breaking the web" and would be interested in an clarification you'd care to offer.

(edited within minutes for typos and clarification.)

Re:Tell HN: Add a '+' to the end of any bit.ly link to get t... by DenisM on Monday May 24, 2010 @12:08PM (#1374943)
1) Most things on the internet don't last forever.

2) My idea of internet is that when I make impact I know about and can use that to make better impact. You are entitled to have your own idea of internet, but not to its superiority.

3) If you don't want me to know that you click on a link I sent you, don't click on it.

Re:Tell HN: Add a '+' to the end of any bit.ly link to get t... by sp332 on Monday May 24, 2010 @11:57AM (#1374912)
No link is guaranteed to last forever. Well, maybe example.com and 127.0.0.1 ? Also, the links are being backed up by the Internet Archive's 301Works project. http://www.301works.org/faq/organization/what-url-shorteners...