[Cialug] TinyURL

[Adam Shannon]

Having a service (or services) to shorten a url that breaks in use
(email, webpages...) is perfectly fine, but that service should only
be giving the user the actual link, not directing them to the link
they wanted.

What happens when that short link provider goes out of business or is
hacked, then I lose the ability to control where I will end up
(negating anything on the link I'm trying to reach does) because I
can't see where I'm going.  If the service is hacked and spreads
malware than anyone with javascript or cookies allowed on that domain
will be infected or tracked.

In my view, short url providers should only be presenting a page for
the user as to what the short link represents, the short link is not
the same link and therefore shouldn't act the same.  It's a
representation for another url.

Thoughts?

On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 17:26, Scott Prader <sprader at iastate.edu> wrote:
> Sometimes a URL that takes up multiple lines can get cut off with a carriage
> return inserted by some program, at some point.  When I see a link, I like
> to think that I can click on it and not get a 404.  TinyURL fixed this.
> What they don't do is auto-forward a 404 to archive.org, which tends to
> cover what a downed URL can't, whether it's complete or not.
>
> -Scott
>
> On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 4:58 PM, Barry Von Ahsen <barry at vonahsen.com> wrote:
>>
>> 7 ff addons tagged 'unshort url', probably more under other tags
>>
>> https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/tag/unshort%20url
>>
>> -barry
>>
>>
>>
>> Nathan C. Smith wrote:
>> > Seems to me there could be a whole industry for a technology for
>> > converting the various short-URLs back to long ones, particularly if the
>> > tools and technology provide a means to mitigate potential risks.
>> >
>> > Don't bit.ly and others use a hash that stays the same for each
>> > shortening of a reference?  So that if you shorten cialug.org and send it to
>> > me I will get the same shortened url if I do it?
>> >
>> > -Nate
>> >
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: cialug-bounces at cialug.org
>> >> [mailto:cialug-bounces at cialug.org] On Behalf Of Ed Meacham (@work)
>> >> Sent: Friday, June 18, 2010 3:12 PM
>> >> To: 'Central Iowa Linux Users Group'
>> >> Subject: Re: [Cialug] TinyURL
>> >>
>> >> I love the idea of URL shortening services. Though, they
>> >> definitely have instances where the use of one is more
>> >> appropriate than others... I don't see the need to shorten a
>> >> URL in an email, unless you're spreading "infectious-love."
>> >>
>> >> Rather than write off TinyURL/Bit.ly, I would blame improper
>> >> organization and/or the sender not qualifying the details of
>> >> the URL in the message.
>> >>
>> >> I see there is a plug-in for Thunderbird for converting a URL
>> >> into a TinyURL... wonder if it has a reversal option? (I
>> >> don't have Thunderbird installed on this machine to check) If
>> >> not, a lookup plug-in might be a good project for someone. :P
>> >>
>> >> -emeacham (@work)
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: cialug-bounces at cialug.org
>> >> [mailto:cialug-bounces at cialug.org] On Behalf Of Todd Walton
>> >> Sent: Friday, June 18, 2010 6:27 AM
>> >> To: Central Iowa Linux Users Group
>> >> Subject: [Cialug] TinyURL
>> >>
>> >> And another reason I hate this tinyurl thing... I know
>>
>>
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-- 
Adam Shannon
 Web Developer
 http://ashannon.us