Request for IP policy change

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Any problems? djf

Begin forwarded message:

From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk () gsp org>
Date: January 19, 2009 8:12:28 AM EST
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: Request for IP policy change

I've noticed an increasing number of contributors to IP using "tinyurl"
and similar services when posting links.  I'd like to request that
you request contributors cease using these.

Among the reasons:

        - the links often stop working (while the content they
                linked to persists).   This can render the links in
                archived messages meaningless.
        - the links often use services that are massively abused,
                which in turn means mention of them in email tends
                to trip anti-spam measures
        - the links can be redirected to different targets than
                the original
        - the links obfuscate the target, making it impossible for
                readers to ascertain where they're really going
        - a typo in the link renders it useless, whereas a typo
                in most other links (e.g. "washingtonpost.cm")
                might allow manual correction, even if it requires
                a search of the site in the question

and finally

        - they're superfluous.     While some years ago, some broken mail
                clients might have had difficulty with long URLs, their
                authors have had plenty of time to fix those problems.
                I don't see a need to continue trying to accomodate
                old/broken software at the expense of everyone else.

---Rsk





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