URL-shortening service Tr.im recently announced it would be shutting down its services, and that all URLs shortened via its service would cease to redirect by the end of the year. Although it later reversed its decision to brickify these links, the announcement sent red flags up throughout the world of social media: what [...]]]>

URL-shortening service Tr.im recently announced it would be shutting down its services, and that all URLs shortened via its service would cease to redirect by the end of the year. Although it later reversed its decision to brickify these links, the announcement sent red flags up throughout the world of social media: what guarantee do we have that the URLs we shorten today through bit.ly, TinyURL, or any other of the dozens of URL shortening services will continue to work in the future?

Enter 301works, which has announced a central exchange through which all URL shorteners can send their newly-created links. 301works will then secure these links by ensuring they continue to function even if their originating service goes under.

Given the rise of text-limited services like Twitter, the creation of a secured exchange for shortened URLs is a great development for individuals and companies who want to know that the links they post will continue to function in the future.

Following The Tr.im Incident, 301works Is Ready To Insure Shortened URLs .

Blaming the new leaders or aggregators for disrupting the business of the old leaders, or saber-rattling and threatening to sue are not business strategies – they [...]]]> By charging $12.50 for each snippet taken from its site, the AP really is walking down the path to extinction. Thomson Reuters nails it perfectly in its recent blog post:

Blaming the new leaders or aggregators for disrupting the business of the old leaders, or saber-rattling and threatening to sue are not business strategies – they are personal therapy sessions. Go ask a music executive how well it works.

via Reuters Tells AP: “Stop Whining”.