Submission details
Please provide a URL-shortening feature
Feature request: URL-shortener
When sharing URLs on social media websites, e.g. on Twitter, the majority of people minify the URL, e.g. with bit.ly.
Microsoft websites, such as Windows Live and Bing, and all users, could clearly benefit from an integrated URL minifier -- allowing easy generation of small URLs. This would be particularly useful on SkyDrive, where users obviously want to share links, as well as many other Microsoft products and services online.
Microsoft should launch its own URL-shrinking service. It should use a HTTP 301 "Permanently Moved" redirect.
Low
Low
Not fixed
Discussion (4 comments)
Minify is a verb, and it is a word, within the popular lexicon of web usage and development. The term is widely used, and is universally understood by those to whom it is relevant.
More information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minification_(programming)
Comment edited on January 15, 2010, 2:58pm
It looks like Bing have developed their own URL-shortening service, called "binged.it".
http://binged.it
The redirect uses the preferred HTTP header for search-engine optimisation (301 Moved).
E.g. A Tweet by Bing Travel:
http://twitter.com/fareologist/status/7764816434
Comment edited on January 15, 2010, 3:14pm
Changed title from [Please add a URL minifier for Windows Live] to [Please provide a URL-shortening feature].
Removed from categories: "Annoyance"
Changed problem description.
Changed solution description.
Changed problem description.
binged.it = fail
Besides, does Microsoft really want us to start using Bing as a verb, just like "Google it" or "Looks Photoshopped"? Oh wait, they are...
JJohnson wrote on January 5, 2010, 5:30pm
"minify" is not a verb and is not a word. The English word is "minimize" or "shrink" or "make smaller."