So…
I wanted to put out a quick post on URL shortners and it just happens that another news-worthy tech is out so what do you do?
Shorten the URL and use it as an example for this article of course!
Well here we go…
Executive Summary:
This little link below is a shortened URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
Without this little piece of techno-magic the Tiger Text App would not be such a viral post… Why you may ask? Because how do you try to twitter this– http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1968233,00.html#ixzz0gz4kVgNZ
Simply put… you don’t.
The Skinny
Need more info? Then read on to see how it works.
- Step 1- User copies long URL into memory
- Step 2- User pastes long URL into a shortening website
- Step 3- Shorting site such as Bit.ly or Tiny.com makes a little database entry that says if someone goes to bit.ly/X45c35 (or whatever little code it makes) then please redirect them to the mirrored long URL.
- Step 4- User grabs little tiny URL and puts it in their Tweets, Facebook Status, or emails it to a friend.
- Step 5- Others click on it, get redirected to the long URL site and if they like it send it on/Re-tweet it to their friends.
- Result—– Lots of people sending it around the world and people seeing crazy videos or news articles that become very popular very quickly.
So, why is Tiger in this post then?
Good question. This little app (see article here) or (http://bit.ly/dr4pJj ) is moving super duper fast because of shortening sites like Tinyurl.com or Bit.ly and also because people are fascinated by crazy stories, especially applications that can help you not get caught sending sensitive information.
What is Tiger Text anyway?
Another Fabulous Question! Basically it is a really bad use of technology that can help you effectively do wrong without getting caught. Read the entire Time article for a good recap but suffice it to say the creator of the app really doesn’t have much of a conscious to create such an app for Iphone users. I could go on and on but I won’t.
Summary
URL shortners help make long unreadable URLs into a short and possibly more friendly URL for sending complex links to your friends. Bit.ly, Tiny.com, and other are ready to help you take that long Map link and shorten it in an instant. That is why the Tiger Text App has moved so quickly around the Web.
So, here’s my even Tiny-er summary-
Use URL shortners. Don’t use Tiger Text.
Last links:
- www.Tinyurl.com (one of the orginal url shortners)
- http://bit.ly/ (an even shorter url shortner)
- www.shadyurl.com (This one is fun, it doesn’t shorten them… it makes them “shady”… try it out for a good laugh).
Wed, Mar 3, 2010
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