Why do people like link shorteners?

rpgdemon · 10-04-2011, 10:45 AM

On anything but twitter, where character limits aren't incredibly low, why do people like link shorteners? As a rule, I don't click anything that goes through goo.gl, or whatever, since it's annoying and pointless to use a link shortener. All that it does is mask where your link is going.

Like, I don't get the people who use them all the time. Is it to be all new age and hip? They're in no way advantageous to use, and actually provide a downside. It seems like using technology for the sake of using technology, which is something that irks me to no end.

Marc v4.0 · 10-04-2011, 10:50 AM

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-a...w=1600&bih=792

...hahahaha, oh wow completely shut down by NPF. I got told.

Professor Smarmiarty · 10-04-2011, 10:58 AM

Because in 10 years we'll hit peak letters and it's all downhill from there.

Mr.Bookworm · 10-04-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc v1.0

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-a...w=1600&bih=792

...hahahaha, oh wow completely shut down by NPF. I got told.

Like that?

But, yeah, pretty much that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goo.gl

Google URL Shortener at goo.gl is used by Google products to create short URLs that can be easily shared, tweeted, or emailed to friends.

Or that.

EDIT: Nope, didn't work.

Ecks · 10-04-2011, 11:11 AM

For trolling purposes, Marc.

I can't tell you how easy it is to Rickroll someone that way.

Marc v4.0 · 10-04-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Bookworm

Like that?

But, yeah, pretty much that.

Or that.

EDIT: Nope, didn't work.

Yeah, search result URLs are stupid long and not shortening them in some way just makes the post garish. I haven't seen anyone use a URL shortening service anywhere that size wasn't a concern, so I have no frame of refrence for being pissed at people for using them out of proper context

Aerozord · 10-04-2011, 12:27 PM

yes but the actual URL can visually be simple underlined text. The scroll over simply allows one to check where its taking them. Heck thats basic net safety measure

As for character limits, personally never ran into that issue.

Fifthfiend · 10-04-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EckScizor

For trolling purposes, Marc.

I can't tell you how easy it is to Rickroll someone that way.

Easy until Ecks ruins it. >(

Ecks · 10-04-2011, 01:03 PM

Oh please, I didn't ruin it. Everyone was THINKING it, I was just SAYING it.

Flarecobra · 10-04-2011, 01:42 PM

IM programs. It can be quite annoying to see a giant-ass link appear in your window.

10-04-2011, 10:45 AM	#1
rpgdemon Not a Taco Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3,313	Why do people like link shorteners? On anything but twitter, where character limits aren't incredibly low, why do people like link shorteners? As a rule, I don't click anything that goes through goo.gl, or whatever, since it's annoying and pointless to use a link shortener. All that it does is mask where your link is going. Like, I don't get the people who use them all the time. Is it to be all new age and hip? They're in no way advantageous to use, and actually provide a downside. It seems like using technology for the sake of using technology, which is something that irks me to no end. __________________ I did a lot of posting on here as a teenager, and I was pretty awful. Even after I learned, grew up, and came to be on the right side of a lot of important issues, I was still angry, abrasive, and generally increased the amount of hate in the world, in pretty unacceptable ways. On the off chance that someone is taking a trip down memory lane looking through those old threads, I wanted to devote my signature to say directly to you, I'm sorry. Thank you for letting me be better, NPF.

10-04-2011, 10:50 AM	#2
Marc v4.0 Fight Me, Nerds Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3,470	http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-a...w=1600&bih=792 ...hahahaha, oh wow completely shut down by NPF. I got told. __________________

10-04-2011, 12:27 PM	#7
Aerozord So we are clear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Former murder capital of the world Posts: 13,824	yes but the actual URL can visually be simple underlined text. The scroll over simply allows one to check where its taking them. Heck thats basic net safety measure As for character limits, personally never ran into that issue. __________________ "don't hate me for being a heterosexual white guy disparaging slacktivism, hate me for all those murders I've done."

10-04-2011, 01:42 PM	#10
Flarecobra Burn. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Classified Posts: 11,017	IM programs. It can be quite annoying to see a giant-ass link appear in your window. __________________ "Only the fool wishes to go into battle to beat someone for the satisfaction of beating someone." -A Thousand Sons Rules. Read them, know them, love them.

10-04-2011, 10:58 AM	#3
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	Because in 10 years we'll hit peak letters and it's all downhill from there.