I think what's happening is people not understanding what http:// http:// means. They think it's a magic invocation that one uses to tell computers "take me to

I think what's happening is people not understanding what http:// http:// means. They think it's a magic invocation that one uses to tell computers "take me to the following". Maybe. Anyway, I disagree with some other responses here -- good UI should help teach users what they need to know to navigate effectively. Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler. If you believe it's possible to effectively use the web without knowing what a web site is or which web site you're on at any moment, then yes, you might design the omnibar and you might hide the URL details in the address bar. (Or if you benefit financially from people's ignorance.) But if you think users should know these things to effectively and safely navigate the web, then ideally your UI should not only empower knowledgeable users but help inform non-knowledgeable ones.