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Re:The problems with url shorteners by thorax on Friday April 03, 2009 @06:21PM (#545758)
Well, for our site, tinyarro.ws, all URLs are all automatically previewed so you have a chance to decide. So if you can get over clicking silly unicode URLs, you should feel more comfortable. http://➔.ws/this

I'm a big fan of informed consent, and I don't understand why the other URL shrinkers don't do opt-out previewing rather than requiring people to track down some mysterious preview cookie or preview URL syntax.

Re:The problems with url shorteners by zanders on Friday April 03, 2009 @06:42PM (#545785)
One reason other URL shrinkers don't do opt-out previewing is because it defeats the purpose of the shrinker being convinient. For instance, I use bit.ly's plugin in my Gmail inbox. In two clicks, my URL is shrunk and pasted wherever I want it. If I had an automatic preview of the page, it would take longer to load, making the shrinking process less convenient.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by thorax on Friday April 03, 2009 @11:17PM (#546011)
True, but it is entirely opt-out with a single click. So it doesn't have to be there-- but for your clickers they can decide for themselves what they prefer.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by pclark on Friday April 03, 2009 @06:43PM (#545788)
neat idea - but I open links and as they load look elsewhere - meaning I entirely miss your inbetween page.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by joshu on Friday April 03, 2009 @06:25PM (#545768)
you're solving a problem you made. want a medal?
Re:The problems with url shorteners by thorax on Friday April 03, 2009 @06:31PM (#545774)
We didn't make the problem. We're just having fun with silly URL hacks and giving people something fun to show their friends. While we're at it, we're trying to do it the best way we know how.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by zanders on Friday April 03, 2009 @06:36PM (#545779)
Good comeback.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by joshu on Friday April 03, 2009 @06:38PM (#545780)
There's always the choice not to participate in some activity.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by ojbyrne on Friday April 03, 2009 @07:34PM (#545842)
Among other things, that would have solved the Great Depression, World War I, and Germany's hyperinflation in the thirties. Also AIDS.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by spinchange on Saturday April 04, 2009 @12:02AM (#546041)
Yep, Linkrot is right up there.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by ojbyrne on Saturday April 04, 2009 @12:29PM (#546412)
This comment suggests you don't understand my point. Which is basically that people will act in their own individual interest even when its obvious that if everyone does the same thing, bad things are the inevitable result.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by commenthere on Friday April 03, 2009 @07:41PM (#545848)
this comment is unbelieveably snarky, if it were anyone other than joshu I have a feeling they'd be at -4 right now, not +4. Would you really say "want a medal?" in person. I doubt it.
Re:The problems with url shorteners by joshu on Saturday April 04, 2009 @12:00AM (#546038)
You've obviously never met me.