URL obfuscation

[RotorZone]

I see many posts using URL obfuscators like is.gd. I for one like to see where I'm going before clicking on a link.
If you don't want the link spoiling the layout of your post, the forum itself has the capability to put your text description for the link.

[url=http://somewhere]Text for link[/url]

It'll appear like this.

Text for link

I can still see where the link is going by hovering over the text.

Since there is no limitation of URL lengths on this forum and is free from censorship, there is no good motive for such obscuring. I'm not implying ulterior motives of whoever have been using it.

I know you can check where the is.gd link points to, but it takes a few more steps. I usually avoid these links in posts.

[rcforall]

Anwar suggested using is.gd or tiny url  otherwise annadi's  like me would never have known their existance in any case 

[anwar]

Right, I am the one to blame 

I did not like the really long links, and did not want users to go into the "[url]" tag and add the "=http://foo.com/bar" part to it (as it is easy to make mistakes with that).

What you are suggesting is the right thing to do though.

[rcforall]

I simply love is.gd and tiny url they are useful for guys like me even when providing links in  a mail .
I really don't see an issue  as anyway  you get to the required site in a few seconds  so not knowing where it is going for a milli second has not been  a problem  for most.

[RotorZone]

Sai,

You misunderstood my concern, it is not saving those milli seconds. It is for deciding whether the link is worth visiting or not. Often the post does not describe fully what the link is for. I also decide whether I have already seen that link before, or is on a site with low/high credibility etc before going there. Not to mention the possible malicious uses. I also agree they have their uses other than on a forum. I'll continue to avoid these links unless really compelling.

[rcforall]

you are right , all I was saying was I find it useful for another case as well.
sai

[ankur]

while visiting unknown is.gd links if u put '-' after the link it will tell u to which page is it taking before to that site and u will only be taken to that site if u wish
for e.g.[For your G.K.-e.g. is a abbreviation for 'Exempli Gratia' which is Latin for 'for example' the same way i.e. is for 'id est' the latin for 'that is']
i am making two links both taking u to the homepage of RC India
http://is.gd/86jrB
[this is the link which will directly take u to that address without u knowing where are u going]
now see this  link[the same with a '-'(hyphen) sign]
http://is.gd/86jrB-
it will tell u the shortened url and u have to click the link in order  to proceed

so ur safety part will be corrected

but it is more time and bandwith consuming so thats purely ur choice

my choice is either links with hyphens['-'] or the direct link itself

[RotorZone]

Thanks for your info and GK, but reading more carefully would have saved you some time and effort.

I know you can check where the is.gd link points to, but it takes a few more steps.

[ankur]

well i have not wasted my time and effort as this post was not for some specific person but for all and i m sure most people here don't know it