3 ms·

> Just because a thing is prevalent doesn't mean it's good. I agree with this sentiment. I'm not sure I've ever seen a url referred to as "good", I was just a

> Just because a thing is prevalent doesn't mean it's good. I agree with this sentiment. I'm not sure I've ever seen a url referred to as "good", I was just a bit confused as to why someone would baulk at a URL. In my opinion everything after the host portion of the url is to serve the apps needs, so it knows where to go or what to do, it's not really an interface for the user as obviously there are better ways to present that.

MereInterest 4y ago
I’d say everything after the host is part of the UX, and should serve the user needs. For example: * Should be book-markable. * If searching with a query, should have a clear query parameter for ease of browser integration. * If the URL contains slash dividers that can be read as categories (e.g. storefront.com/department/category/product), then deleting everything after a given slash should go to that category’s page. * The link should be short enough to be sent over a plain-text conversation without becoming a wall of text. * The link should be short enough that it cannot hide a malicious subdomain (e.g. Google.com.flights.malicio.us/more/elements).
- hinkley 4y ago
  * I should be able to guess if you're sending me a link about composting or a Rick Astley video Opaque slugs are problematic in a low-trust world. Phishing attempts are easier when the parameters are indecipherable. I'm not clicking on that shit in a text message or an email. I've seen what happens to people when they do.
  - pixl97 4y ago
    Eh, I mean URL shorteners are a thing and all kind of things redirect on the web. The length of the URL doesn't really tell you much.
    - TeMPOraL 4y ago
      URL shorteners are a menace. I'm not clicking on the link if you send me a shortened one, especially not when on mobile. These days, shortened links have two primary applications: forcing you to go through a tracking/analytics gate, and serving single-click exploits. Neither of those is serving the user (unless you read it in "To Serve Man" sense).
whatusername 4y ago
No - but they have been referred to as "cool" before. Gotta love the early 90's. https://www.w3.org/Provider/Style/URI https://www.w3.org/Provider/Style/URI
ben0x539 4y ago
The point of a URL is that I can copy+paste it into IRC so my friends can look at the thing I want to share with them. If the URL has a bunch of goop in it, people are going to make fun of me for it, especially if it's super long and doesn't fit in a single line. Or if there's stuff in there that's specific to me and not the thing I want to show them.
depressedpanda 4y ago
Where I work, we consider URLs part of the UI. Users should be able to share links with each other without pasting a wall of text. We also try to make all URLs human parsable so that they know what they are sharing.

MereInterest 4y ago

I’d say everything after the host is part of the UX, and should serve the user needs. For example: * Should be book-markable. * If searching with a query, should have a clear query parameter for ease of browser integration. * If the URL contains slash dividers that can be read as categories (e.g. storefront.com/department/category/product), then deleting everything after a given slash should go to that category’s page. * The link should be short enough to be sent over a plain-text conversation without becoming a wall of text. * The link should be short enough that it cannot hide a malicious subdomain (e.g. Google.com.flights.malicio.us/more/elements).

hinkley 4y ago
* I should be able to guess if you're sending me a link about composting or a Rick Astley video Opaque slugs are problematic in a low-trust world. Phishing attempts are easier when the parameters are indecipherable. I'm not clicking on that shit in a text message or an email. I've seen what happens to people when they do.
- pixl97 4y ago
  Eh, I mean URL shorteners are a thing and all kind of things redirect on the web. The length of the URL doesn't really tell you much.
  - TeMPOraL 4y ago
    URL shorteners are a menace. I'm not clicking on the link if you send me a shortened one, especially not when on mobile. These days, shortened links have two primary applications: forcing you to go through a tracking/analytics gate, and serving single-click exploits. Neither of those is serving the user (unless you read it in "To Serve Man" sense).

whatusername 4y ago

No - but they have been referred to as "cool" before. Gotta love the early 90's. https://www.w3.org/Provider/Style/URI https://www.w3.org/Provider/Style/URI

ben0x539 4y ago

The point of a URL is that I can copy+paste it into IRC so my friends can look at the thing I want to share with them. If the URL has a bunch of goop in it, people are going to make fun of me for it, especially if it's super long and doesn't fit in a single line. Or if there's stuff in there that's specific to me and not the thing I want to show them.

depressedpanda 4y ago

Where I work, we consider URLs part of the UI. Users should be able to share links with each other without pasting a wall of text. We also try to make all URLs human parsable so that they know what they are sharing.