Shorturl

=**An overview of Shorturl**=

Why use Shorturl?
When we create and publish pages using GoogleDocs, the URL's of our pages end up looking something like this:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddzgjb75_31c4bzvhdd&hl=en

Not exactly the kind of address we'd like to have to write on the board to give our students. If only there were some way to direct them to a shorter, less complicated URL.

What is Shorturl?
Shorturl is an online service that allows users to choose a short, easy to remember URL that will redirect to another address.

For example, I use the address [|apgov.shorturl.com]

You will notice that the short address above redirects to the same page as the long, complicated address at the top of this page. It is much easier for me to set up a "home page" in GoogleDocs and then have my Shorturl address redirect to that page.

How do I get Shorturl?
Getting a shorturl address is simple. Just go to their web page www.shorturl.com and check to see if the name you want is available. There are many domains to choose from. You might try using your subject or your own name, or a combination of both.

Once you've chosen a domain name, fill out the short form and enter the address you want to redirect to (you must already have a page set up to redirect to).

Shorturl is available for free, with a small ad banner at the bottom of your page. Or you can pay to have no ad banner. The cost is $1.88 per year, so it's cheap enough to make it an easy choice.

Some examples; http://ellingson-science.shorturl.com http://apchem.shorturl.com