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General discussion

Can't Load Shortened URLs

Jun 24, 2010 4:11PM PDT

I'm not sure if this is a W7 problem or a PC problem, but I don't remember it happening before I upgraded to W7. If you use Twitter, you know they sometimes have shortened urls. When I click on them, they will not work. I simply get an error message stating "Oops! Google Chrome (or IE or Firefox) could not find ow.ly". Basically, the urls are in this form: http://fb.me/DbwCE8lA or http://is.gd/d2CPN or http://ow.ly/22RD9. What can I do to make these work again? I've tried turning off the firewall and changing to OpenDNS. Neither worked.

Discussion is locked

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A workaround, but not a solution.
Jun 24, 2010 7:49PM PDT

I can only think that this is a security setting of some sort in each browser, (may be an add-on in Firefox).

We don't encourage short urls in these forums because we can't really tell where we are going to be taken to. The short url gives no clue, and can be used as a vehicle for suspect web sites.

But I don't know for sure, so I can't offer any fixes. However, I can suggest an add-on in Firefox called Long URL Please.

There's more about that, (an explanation), here;
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/051110-cryptic-shortened-urls-cant-hide.html

Does that help? May be others here will have better clues.

Mark

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Solved
Jun 25, 2010 3:30AM PDT

You are absolutely right on the money. Both Firefox and Chrome have add-ons that solve the problem. Thanks!!!

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(NT) Glad you sorted it, and thanks for reporting back.
Jun 25, 2010 6:00AM PDT
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problem
Jun 24, 2010 9:01PM PDT

I too sometimes having this problem.. i have reecently purchased Windows 7 .. so i am a new user of it.. cant understand what to do wid it

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Re: windows 7
Jun 24, 2010 9:24PM PDT