Although I use shortened URLs regularly, I create them manually unless I’m using a program with built in services — like Tweetdeck for Twitter — but recently I’ve gone against my rule of fattening up programs and added the shortener button to Firefox. Most of the URL shortening services(see list below) offer a single button add-on that copies a shortened link to the clipboard; they are convenient for emailing long links to forums, comments sections of blogs and in sending emails. Here’s on for one of my favorites since it’s a character shorter: is.gd.com => http://is.gd/4Wijz
A word of caution when sending and receiving shortened links: “be aware that unknown links can carry a risk of directing you to inappropriate websites or those sites only looking to capitalize on your clicks. Link and click carefully.”
Minilink.org – Free URL shortening service. Preserves original domain name and file extension in short link.
NE1.net – Offers free URL redirection with no ads in the form of yourname.ne1.net and yourname.r8.org.
NormalURL.com – Redirection service that allows the user to dictate the new URL.
NotLong.com – Make a long URL shorter using this free service with no advertisements required.
nuURL – Create, track, shorten, and customize a long URL into a short URL using our free service.
Pics or Links – Redirect URLs and share image hyperlinks with advanced social networking features.
Qdeo – Make long URL’s short, a free alternative to long URLs.
Qwer.org – Designed to simplify the process of sharing unwieldy and/or automatically-generated URLs, by providing a temporary alias in the form: http://qwer.org/you.
Redirecting.biz – Provides paid URL redirecting and hiding services.
RelUlr – Free short URL redirection service with no advertisements.
Shim.net – Get a free subdomain like "yourname.shim.net" or "yourname.freegaming.org". Other features include dynamic DNS, meta tag settings, frame killing, and URL cloaking.
Snick.me – Secure URL Redirection, bookmarking and group service.
SnipURL – Easily turn long URLs into easy-to-remember URL with this free URL redirection service.
1sp.in – URL shortener that uses only our address bar. No copy&paste. No plug-ins.
TightURL – Offers an URL shortening and redirection service, with an exception for affiliate links which are refused. The source code of the underlying software is also made available under the GNU General Public License.
Tiny2Go.com – Free URL shortening service, featuring a batch mode that allows you to process multiple links in one go and offers various browser integration methods.
TinyURL – Free URL redirection service. Turns a long URL into a much shorter one.
tr.im – Offers a free redirection service, also provides statistics about redirected links, bookmarklets, a Firefox add-on and custom URLs protected with a password. Underlying source code is made available under a free software license.
UrlBit.Us – Take any long URL and create a short one in its place.
1URL.com – A free URL shortening service. Provides API and Twitter support.
URLescort.com – Automatically redirects your domain to your existing business, country domain, personal or free website.
URLIT.NET – Convert a long URL into a shorter one. Particularly useful when using long and cumbersome links in emails, newsgroups or forums. Provides link previewing.
URLLogs.com – Offers free short transparent URL redirection Service with statistics and SEO included.
urlShort – Free URL shortening service built on open source code. Users can choose custom aliases and an API, a bookmarklet and a Firefox extension are provided.
Audi is instead touting the benefits of diesel technology. How do you get around the negative perception of diesel cars in the U.S.?
Clean-diesel technology represents an immediate technological leap — you immediately, very significantly, reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Biodiesel, too, could get you very close to the point where you can have a neutral carbon footprint. This can all be attained in a relatively shorter space of time, and at lower costs, than waiting 20 years–plus until we get our act together with electric cars. I should say, though, that hybrids are important. It is not diesel vs. hybrid — they are complementary technologies. We, too, will be producing hybrids — diesel ones.
Given the driving patterns of most American consumers, which is more likely to be suburban travel, clean diesel has advantages. Because this technology holds so much promise, it’s our task to inform the public and policymakers because it’s clear that public [opinion] will have to embrace all available technologies to move things forward. I also listen to all of our dealers, and it’s very clear that those consumers who are informed about the technology have really embraced it with great enthusiasm.
Currently upgrading and testing a new embed for flash video, although it might not work with current 2.8.6 version of WordPress. Nevertheless, it offers a few extra features that most have become accustom to such as a poster frame and full screen video. I’ll be tweaking the flash encoder on the Mac in order to keep file sizes manageable and to get rid of the occasion video jump showing up in the current clip.
As for the politics of this post, its again a slight twist to the health care debacle being voted for by liberal Democrats in congress … and against by many moderates and conservatives. One of the questionable components is the requirement to carry insurance or be fined if you choose to remain uninsured — the current proposed fine has been stated to be $250 per year for a 30 year old (although not paying for insurance would save between $2250 and $5500 per year). As the video clip points out, the current bills also enable everyone to be able to enroll without any exception for a pre-existing condition … something that will significantly push up the cost of insurance for everyone currently paying for insurance.
The interesting twist is that a person just paying the $250 penalty when they are healthy could just wait until their health become questionable before spending the thousands per year on insurance if pre-existing conditions don’t exclude them from buying insurance. No doubt this would significantly impact the projected saving of adding millions of relatively healthy young people expected to pay full fare in order to offset those of use who will be needing a bit more health care in the next several decades.
As the number of NASA Shuttle lift offs wind down, I find myself appreciating the space program more and more. I don’t want to miss the final scheduled six launches which should complete the life of the Space Shuttle program and end of an era … a successful one I might add.
Today was a perfect day and a perfect launch for STS-129 which is on a 14 day scheduled supply mission to the International Space Station.
Atlantis rocket into a beautiful blue Florida sky at 2:30 Monday afternoon
There were quite a few improvements made in the Palm webOS 1.3.1 update, but not all are going to be helpful on my Palm Pre smartphone. One benefit is that Yahoo users will see synergy improvements, including the calendar. Another feature being waited for is improved SMS messaging … particularly forwarding and copying of messaging.
Currently for me, the breaking of MyTether is a loss … although word has it that it is being fixed as quickly as possible. I hope it returns as it has saved me by adding a mobile wifi access point for use with my notebook computer.
Here’s a Palmwebos.org blog post on all the changes in this update:
Palm snuck up on us a lot recently especially with the release of the new version 1.3.1 of webOS. This update packs a lot of nice new features that make the this platform just that much more desirable. Among some of the new changes is Yahoo support for Synergy, improved text message support including forwarding and custom text message notification tones.
Right now webOS 1.3.1 is only available to Pre owners on the Sprint and Bell Canada networks with forign Pre owners receiving it by the end of the month. See below for a complete list of updates and fixes added with version 1.3.1.
Version information
Version: webOS 1.3.1
Release date: 15 November 2009
New applications
NONE
Feature changes to existing applications
Backup
Backup now includes browser cookies, so that after a restart, for example, if you stored your username and password on a web-based email site, you can continue to access the site without needing to log in.
Backup no longer saves online account passwords. If you perform a partial or full erase or buy a replacement phone, after signing in to your Palm profile, you are prompted to enter the password for each of your online accounts. If you choose to skip this step, to continuing synchronizing this account, you must open an app that syncs with the account (Calendar, Contacts, Email) > application menu > Preferences & Accounts > tap the account name > enter your username and password.
Calendar
Yahoo! now appears as a Calendar synchronization account. You can synchronize Yahoo! calendar events by opening Calendar > application menu > Preferences & Accounts > Add An Account > Yahoo!
An event’s location now appears with the same formatting in Day view and in the event notification.
Calendar notifications no longer reappear after being dismissed.
All-day events that span more than one day now appear correctly in all Calendar views.
If you create a Google calendar event on the phone and the event location contains an apostrophe, the event now correctly synchronizes with Google online.
Camera
After taking a picture, if you tap the picture thumbnail in the lower-left corner of the camera screen, the picture now opens in full-screen view, not Thumbnails view. Making the back gesture returns you to the camera.
Contacts
Yahoo! now appears as a Contacts synchronization account. You can download contacts from Yahoo! online to the phone by opening Contacts > application menu > Preferences & Accounts > Add An Account > Yahoo!
Automatic contact linking based on name matches occurs only if the first and last name fields are populated with the same names. If either field is blank, the Contacts app no longer links the contacts. In addition, the Contacts app no longer automatically links contacts with the same name but with different suffixes (such as Jr. and Sr.).
Contact phone numbers in an Exchange account display the same label that is used for the number in Outlook.
If you set up Contacts to synchronize with a Google account, the account synchronizes only entries in Google’s My Contacts, not all contacts.
If a contact entry includes a linked Google instant message that contains a special character (such as an apostrophe or ampersand), the special character now displays correctly.
Device Info
If you copy a music file to the phone and then delete it, Device Info now shows the correct amount of available memory after the deletion.
Email
Forwarded and replied-to messages include improved formatting, such as the original sender’s email address in forwarded messages and correct inline image display in replies.
The list of mail types available in manual setup now includes Google Apps (Hosted Google Domains) and Yahoo! Small Business Domain email accounts. Selecting one of these types automatically enters the correct settings for these accounts.
If you have multiple Exchange accounts, doing a Global Address List (GAL) contact lookup searches all the accounts.
When you set up more than one email account from the same provider-for example, two Gmail or two Yahoo! accounts-in Account List view, the account names display the associated email address so that you can distinguish them.
A new Select All menu item selects message body text so that you can cut or copy it. A new Copy All menu item copies the entire message contents-sender, date, recipient, subject, and body text-so that you can paste it elsewhere. These menu items appear only when a message is open.
If you turn the All Inboxes preference off, email notifications now show how many new messages are in each of your email accounts.
Performing a message search in the All Flagged folder returns flagged messages only.
If an Exchange 2003 implementation requires a password, you can select an alphanumeric (strong) password even if the server does not require a strong password.
If an Exchange implementation allows use of a simple PIN (numbers only), the phone supports entry of a PIN that is longer than four characters.
If a notification appears for an incoming email message whose subject line contains an ampersand, the ampersand appears correctly in the notification.
Messaging
Yahoo! IM is available as an instant messaging account.
You can select a unique ringtone for new message alerts: Open Messaging > application menu > Preferences & Accounts > Sound > Ringtone.
You can forward a text or multimedia message by tapping the message > Forward.
You can copy the text of a text or multimedia message by tapping the message > Copy Text.
If you receive a message from an email address, the sender’s name (if in Contacts) or email address (if not) shows up correctly on the new message notification and on the open message in Messaging.
If you copy a conversation using the Copy All menu item and then pastes the conversation text, the pasted text now appears correctly as plain text, without any HTML tags.
Messaging notifications now show the number of senders and the number of conversations.
If you enter a message and start it with a standalone letter-for example, “R” or “r” for “are”-when the auto-correct feature expands the letter to a word, the word is correctly capitalized (”Are”).
Music
While listening to a song with album art displayed, you can tap the screen below the art to display a playback slider. Dragging the slider jumps forward or backward in the song.
Phone
If the you are on a call, calendar notifications no longer partially cover the End Call icon.
Screen & Lock
A new Secure Unlock preference allows you to set the time interval the phone is idle before the phone locks, requiring you to enter the PIN/password to unlock the phone. This can be the same as or different from the interval after which the screen turns off. To set the preference: Open Screen & Lock > Lock After.
If you select the Simple PIN Secure Unlock option, you can now enter a numeric PIN of more than four digits.
If you press power to turn off the screen, the screen locks at the same time. Previously, there was a gap of a few seconds before the screen locked.
Sounds & Ringtones
If you select a new ringtone and throw the card off the screen, the phone saves the new ringtone selection.
If you set the Ringer Switch Off setting to Mute and turn the ringer switch off at any time, the ringer is muted and the phone does not vibrate, regardless of any other Sounds & Ringtones settings.
System
The application information dialog box (accessed by pressing and holding the orange key/Option and tapping an app icon) displays the total (uncompressed) size of the app, including the amount of storage the app requires. For apps you installed, this number represents the amount of memory you free up on the phone by deleting the app.
If you change the apps in Quick Launch, after a backup and partial erase, the new apps still appear in Quick Launch. Previously, Quick Launch reverted to the default apps.
You can access USB Drive mode by pressing and holding the orange key/Option + Sym + U after connecting the phone to the computer. This enables you to access USB drive mode if the screen is broken or stops responding to taps.
A new option is available for restarting the phone: press and hold power > Power > Restart. The prior restart method (Device Info > Reset Options > Restart) is still available.
You have two options for shutting down the phone completely: 1) press and hold power > Power > Shut Down/Swap Battery > Shut Down; 2) open Device Info > Reset Options > Shut Down > Shut Down.
Tasks
If a task notification shows a single task, tapping the notification now opens the details screen for that task, not the task list screen.
Videos
Widescreen videos now display in widescreen mode on the phone by default, instead of being cropped.
Web
Backup now includes browser cookies, so that after a restart, for example, if you stored your username and password on a web-based email site, you can continue to access the site without needing to log in.
If you tap to play a YouTube video embedded on a web page, the YouTube application launches and the video plays in the app.
YouTube
Widescreen videos now display in widescreen mode on the phone by default, instead of being cropped.
If you tap to play a YouTube video embedded on a web page, the YouTube application launches and the video plays in the app.
Security
This release addresses several security issues with Palm webOS software.
We would like to thank Chris Clark for his help in identifying some of the issues addressed in this release.
Individuals interested in contacting Palm to report suspected security issues can find more information at palm.com/security.
No I’m not talking about the Ohio State Buckeyes win over the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend OR the “whodey” Bengals defensive triumph over their rival the Pittsburgh Steelers (for a 5-0 record in their division and 7-2 overall – but who am I to boast) … although both were local football wins and worthly bloggable topics … but I’m referring to deer. In particular the bucks are enjoying the newly planted trees in our backyard. I’ve about had it with them destroying every tree we’ve planted and wondering just what will keep them away … obviously the coyote and our dog aren’t deterring from their ‘buckrubbing’ ways. I’m about to go on the offensive and consider using an illegal lead slug to their heads!
As you can see, they’ve destroyed several of the trees we’ve just planted.
Rather frustrating, but it happens – my @RichC Twitter account was hijacked and direct message bombarded with a bogus link to those who are following. After logging in and changing my password and eliminating the three connections that I had registered with, I’m hoping things will return to normal? We’ll see, but for now it looks as if the login attempt to my account may have stopped and that Twitter servers have locked out any attempts to log back in … including my attempt to log back in?
If you’re still able to log in to your account, immediately do the following:
Log out of Twitter immediately (this will invalidate the session cookie).
Clear your browser cache and exit your browser completely (this will stop suspicious or unwanted programs that may be running in the background of your browser).
Open a new browser window and log in to Twitter. Then, immediately change your password. You can also use the Twitter password reset feature to set a new password before logging in again.
Visit your settings page and check your Connections. Revoke access for any third-party application that you don’t recognize.
Your account should be ok, but please submit a support request and include any statuses that weren’t posted by you in the body of the request. If you can record the link of the status update before deleting it (click on the time the tweet was posted) and send us that link, even better!
Finally, be sure to update your password in all of your third party applications as well. If a third party application (like Facebook, Twitterrific, Twhirl, etc.) is trying to use your old password to access your tweets, it will lock you out of your account!
If you’re NOT able to log in to your account, try to reset your password first. If you still can’t get in, contact Support. Try submitting a support request through our online form. If you can’t access that form, you’ll be redirected to a Twitter login page. Click the link in the bottom-right corner of that page (it says "No account? Can’t login?"). This link will enable you to email support directly. Please send your email from the email address associated with your Twitter account, and include the following information:
Your Twitter username
Phone number associated with your Twitter account (if applicable)
The welcome email that was sent you when you created your account (if you can find it)
Any notifications you’ve recently received (follow, direct message, etc.)
A list of a few friends you’ve recently direct messaged, or who’ve recently messaged you
An old IM address you verified, if you had an account when Twitter allowed updating via IM
This information will help us confirm your identity as the account owner.
CINCINNATI (AP)—Far from perfect, No. 5 Cincinnati was good enough to stay unbeaten.
Tony Pike threw two touchdown passes in a cameo appearance Friday night, and the Bearcats overcame a self-destructive first half to beat West Virginia 24-21 for the best start in school history.
Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0 Big East) struggled offensively because of uncharacteristic mistakes—a fumble, a dropped touchdown pass, a missed field goal, and an interception—all in the first half.
The high performance wind powered Hydroptere (blogged about back in 2007) has shattered sailing records the world over by averaging 51 knots over 500m (.5 kilometers) in 28 knots of breeze. It’s hard to imagine traveling that fast on the open water, let alone one a boat without an engine.
I enjoyed lunch with a good friend of mine that just returned from the laborious task of going through his mother’s estate. He kept a few antique furniture items and uncomfortably stuffed them in his apartment while trying to figure out just what to do with the balance. While we were standing by our cars, he asked what I thought of these: a stack of American Civil War era newspapers piled in a box. Wow … very historic as I took a couple quick photos with my Palm Pre.
As he leafed through the copies (feeling guilty to be touching them), the magnitude of the events being reported sunk in. Imagine, a war between the states, the thousands of dead and an assassination of debatably our countries greatest President? Wow.
