Avoiding long links in your messages

[Muddypause]

Thought it might be a good idea to post a message about how to avoid putting long links in your messages. If you post a link to a web page that has a very long URL, some browsers will respond by making the width of the page disappear off the edge of the screen - sometimes into the next room. Then, every other message on that page will also disappear into the distance. Alternatively, some browsers may break the link into more than one line, making it unclickable, and difficult to copy and paste.

There are several sites that will shrink that URL. Here are three:

http://www.shortlink.co.uk/
http://www.makeashorterlink.com/
http://tinyurl.com/

They all work in the same way: paste the long URL into the box on the site, and it will return a much shorter link that you can include in your message, which will take you to the original site. I usually use TinyURL, which can be added to some browser toolbars, so you simply click on a button to make the short link. It is also available as an extension for Firefox users, making it an easy right-click option.

[Andy Hamilton]

good point muddy - another way is to use the url button above this message writing area.

it works by typing the words you wish to link from- lets say - this link

highlight this link and click url

this link - it will look like that.

Now copy the url you wish to use.

in this case http://www.selfsufficientish.com

stick an = next to the first url inside the brackets (url=http://www.selfsufficientish.com) this link (/url)
I have changed [ to ( to illustrate the point.

now you have this link

have a practice in the practice and deleted section if you need to, thats what it is there for.

hope that makes some sense.

[Boots]

Been meaning to ask one of you bright sparks how to do that again for ages... I remember you posting it once, but I lost it, forgot, whatever.

Ok - going to go play with it now, and see if I can balls it up

Muddy - Next time, just flick me a "Boots get your sh*t 2getha" msg...

Ok, off to give it a whirl.

[Boots]

Sorted.

[PurpleDragon]

Nice one, Muddy - thanks. I'm rubbish at this stuff. Needed pointed in the right direction. I'm away for a wee play about & see if I can get it to work!

[Wombat]

Yep, what Boots said!

Nev