URL vs hyperlink preference

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41

I don’t usually post from my phone, but neither the phone nor the computer interfaces that I use have a hyperlink button. There’s only a single option for me, “Automatically parse links in text”.

~Max

42

Those are check boxes. The buttons should be above the text box with all the formatting options. One of those is a hyperlink button. It will give you the option to enter the URL that you want the text you selected to link too:

  1. Select the text you want to make a link.
  2. Click the hyperlink button.
  3. Copy the link into the box.
  4. Click OK
43

There is no hyperlink button, or any button above the text box. There are two buttons below the text box, “Submit Reply” and “Preview Post”.

I believe I am using the minimalist editor setting. The reason is that the default editor displays improperly on my phone, such that I can’t post at all. I was also having problems with line spacing if I remember correctly.

~Max

44

With very few exceptions, I always post the information at the link, followed by the raw URL.

Here’s why.

The steps Yonkeroo repeats for us go awry if you forget to write the description, or then if you forget to select it, or if you forgot to copy the URL. You then wind up needing to try the whole thing again or manually fixing the generated BB code.

The latter is prone to error and can wind up being almost as much work as manually typing all the BB code. For one thing, you can screw up the generated code. Another problem is that using ctl-left/right arrow will position you to parts of the URL and not directly to the description, adding to the tedium of the process.

Call me lazy, if you want. But it works for me. I’ve done this since the Great PDF Controversy of 2005. :smiley: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=6152355&postcount=52

45

[QUOTE=rowrrbazzle;21978929I’ve done this since the Great PDF Controversy of 2005. :smiley: [/QUOTE]

And 2006, 2007, 2008 …

46

It depends.

A hyperlink is neater and takes less space. What I don’t like is surprises. If it’s a YouTube video please indicate that fact so I can ignore it, as was discussed a long time ago but apparently ignored by everyone. I don’t know how many times I’ve clicked a hyperlink and then had to shut down a stupid video tab. I still think it’s courteous to also indicate when a hyperlink is a PDF.