Flash URL (tm) is a safe URL shortener application. You can create a short URL by specifying a target (long) URL, which is currently limited to the maximum of 400 characters. You can optionally include a "message" for the viewers (e.g., the users who click on the short URL link). The message should be limited to 500 characters (as of this writing). The short URLs are "safe" in that the short URL is not automatically redirected to the target Web page. Viewers can view which Web site the short URL is redirecting to and decide whether to proceed or not. The short URL message will be displayed when the user/viewer sees the short URL information. When the user "confirms" the redirect, the target Web page will be displayed.
Once a short URL is created, you can "verify" the settings (currently, only limited information such as the target long URL and the redirect type is displayed), or "view" the short URL (as if when the short URL is clicked on a Web browser). Certain short URL information, such as the (optional) message, can be edited within a short time window (e.g., a few hours) from the same browser window. You can also tweet the short URL using the "Tweet Short URL" button. Note that you'll need your own Twitter account in order to be able to use this feature.
Getting Started
Flash URL does not require you to log into the service. You don't need any special account or permission to create and/or view the short URLs. You simply visit the site and start creating/verifying short URLs. Likewise, you can view any short URL (and the redirect site URL) as long as you have the short URL.
All Short URL Information is Public
It should be noted that all your short URL information on Flash URL are publicly accessible. As long as you know the short URL, you can access the information associated with the URL, including the message, regardless of who originally created it. While it is rather unlikely that anybody who does not know your short URL will find and read your short URL info/message, it is advised not to include any proprietary or otherwise sensitive information on short URL.
Short URLs are "Read-Only"
A short URL, or any URL in fact, is generally considered "permanent". This is true with short URLs created on Flash URL service. Once you save a short URL, there'll be a short time window in which you can edit or modify certain (limited) short URL content (e.g., from the same browser window). Most likely scenario will be updating the short URL viewer message. After the time window, the short URL becomes "read-only", that is, the short URL information cannot be modified or deleted, even by the author.
Short URL Token Types
A "token" in the context of Flash URL application is a trailing part of a generated short URL (e.g., after the last forward slash "/""), which is typically a random string. Flash URL supports five different types of tokens. A token type determines what kind of letters are to be used in a token. The recommended value is "As Short As Possible", and the generated token comprises upper/lower case alphabets and numbers. The token length is, currently, 4, but it'll likely increase over time. You can also try the "Make It Even Shorter" option, whose length is currently set to 3. The generated token may include special characters such as "$" and ",", etc. besides the alphanumeric characters. The "Alphabets and Numbers" type uses lower case alphabets and numbers, and the current token length is 5. The "Alphabets only" type uses lower case alphabets only and the current token length is 6. The current token length for the "Numbers only" type is 7 and it only uses 10 digits, 0 through 9.
Flash URL service also supports user-supplied "custom tokens". The length of a custom token should be equal to or longer than 7.
Twitter Integration
Now you can tweet your short URL information via Twitter @anywhere API. Just press the "Tweet" button to open the Tweet Box. It has a default tweet message filled in based on the short URL and the (optional) message. You can edit the message before posting the tweet. Note that Twitter requires that you grant access to the app (i.e., Flash URL) and you'll have to log in to Twitter (with your own Twitter account). This authentication step is performed by Twitter (through a mechanism called OAuth). Flash URL is not involved in any way in this step, and it does NOT read or store your Twitter credentials.
Flash URL is currently in a "beta" release.
Please contact us at support at flashurl if you have any questions or suggestions. You can also find us on Twitter. Our handle is @flashurl.
Note: We do not condone or permit any illegal or immoral use of Flash URL. Please notify us of any suspicious activities such as spamming or phishing, or otherwise questionable activities such as posting generally offensive or hateful content, etc.
Flash URL is built and being run on Google App Engine.
What does it mean for me?
The fact that Flash URL is powered by Google App Engine means that you, as a user of the service, can be assured of the reliability of the service. Furthermore, your data will be safe since it is stored on Google's data storage. Flash URL is hosted, for free, on Google's infrastructure, and it will be available as long as Google is in service.
The application feels somewhat slow at times?
Flash URL is hosted on Google's infrastructure, in particular, on the "free tier" of Google App Engine service. When a user makes a request (e.g., to create or view a short URL, etc.), necessary resource is dynamically allocated, which takes certain amount of time. Currently, Flash URL has very little traffic (we are in a beta phase), and virtually every request incurs "initialization" overhead. Eventually, this will improve as more people start using Flash URL. (Furthermore, we may decide to purchase "premium" service from Google at some point.)
I sometimes see 404 (Page Not Found) error?
This is related to the earlier question. If you try to view a short URL immediately after "saving" it, you may sometimes see this error. Again, this is due to the fact that it takes a bit of time for the application to "warm up". Flash URL uses "asynchronous mode" when saving/updating data. While it should normally take only a fraction of a second, it can take a few seconds or longer to persist the changes if the application has been idle for a while. (This "a while" is determined by Google, and it can presumably range from several seconds to several minutes. Google does not disclose precisely how this idle time is determined.) However, you can be assured that, even when you encounter this error, your data is safe. Your new or updated short URL data will be saved, eventually (e.g., within 30 seconds at max, even in the worst case). Just remember your URL and check back later if you run into this error.
When will Flash URL be fully released?
Flash URL is a free service. We will likely keep this as "beta" for a while. New features will be gradually added over time. Please let us know if you have any particular features you'd like to see on Flash URL. We will likely prioritize our development based on users' demands/feedback. Also, we'd greatly appreciate any bug report (other than, maybe, the performance issues).