[thelist] news.com article on browsers and mainstream sites etc..

Chris W. Parker cparker at swatgear.com
Tue Jul 16 11:33:01 CDT 2002


> -----Original Message-----
> From: aardvark [mailto:roselli at earthlink.net]
>
> > From: "Tom Dell'Aringa" <pixelmech at yahoo.com>
> >
> > http://urlizer.com/00/1079/
>
> oh, and for those who like to see URLs, the news.com article can be
> found at http://news.com.com/2100-1023-941926.html

thanks aardvark!

<rant>shouldn't those small urls be considered a negative thing when it
comes to usability? i understand this is not a website, but c'mon. what
if it leads to a website i have no desire to go to?

from what i can tell a lot of people that actively participate in
theList are at work and the potential for "questionable" material to
appear on the screen goes up greatly when you follow a blind link.

can i compare this to the argument that website developers should not
force new windows to open when linking? the alternative is to give an
indication to the user that a new window is going to be opened, or not
open a new window at all. how about these links? i'm being forced to
follow a link i might otherwise choose not to follow. but since i want
to participate with the goings on around here i have no choice. the
alternatives of course being, not to follow any small urls, follow all
the urls and take my chances, or change my point of view and enjoy them.

i think the main point is the matter of not being forced to do something
and making everything as accessible as possible. the small urls are
forcing me to follow something blindly (even if i choose to follow it)
and they make it less accessible since i might choose not to follow it
even though it's probably safe.

it's also like giving unique and fancy names to menu items that would be
better suited by being left alone. i.e. calling "Job Opportunities"
"Ready to Have Fun?" where is that going to take me? what i am going to
be presented with when i follow that link?
</rant>

<tip author="chris parker" type="small urls">
if you post a small url, please also post the ugly, nasty, long standard
url for those of us who do not follow small urls in many cases.
</tip>

F is for friends that do stuff together! U is for You and Me! N is for
anytime and anywhere at all, down in the deep blue sea!

F is for fire that burns down the whole town! U is for Uranium... Bombs!
N is for...

ok i've had my fun.
chris.



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