7 ms·

Just a side note; what's the need for using an url shortener in a non character count restricted environment? I really don't like clicking a link I don't know t

by jsean 17y ago

Just a side note; what's the need for using an url shortener in a non character count restricted environment? I really don't like clicking a link I don't know the real destination for. If I'm not the only one who feels like this there is, in this case, unfortunately a risk that Ron has already "lost" two or more votes.

cpach 17y ago
You can go here to vote: http://crunchies2009.techcrunch.com/vote/ http://crunchies2009.techcrunch.com/vote/
breck 17y ago
> I really don't like clicking a link I don't know the real destination for. Why not, when the source of the link is known? (As in this case--PG).
- hallmark 17y ago
  It is not just a matter of trusting the source, such as pg. A full URL also helps me decide whether to spend the time to visit and load the new page. User experience. I'd vote to ban shortened URLs from HN posts and comments (edit: when full URLs are available).
  - pg 17y ago
    Shortened urls are already banned from HN posts, mainly because spammers started to use them.
maxklein 17y ago
Analytics and retweeting?
axod 17y ago
Using a url shortener shows you're "hip". If you just paste a url, people may worry you don't understand what's hot and what's not.
pg 17y ago
They're the only links I have. This is the way TechCrunch gives out the links for voting. Probably they do it to encourage people to use them in tweets.
- steveklabnik 17y ago
  With bit.ly (and j.mp) you can take http://bit.ly/3Bxd http://bit.ly/3Bxd and turn it into http://bit.ly/3Bxd+ http://bit.ly/3Bxd+ and it'll give you the long link.
  - ivankirigin 17y ago
    more importantly, it will give you a hell of a lot of data about the clicks on the link