It won't happen, but I wish people would include WHAt the link is...

[StompBoxBlues]

I know it won't change anything, but just a word to folks that start threads like "best guitar solo ever" or "my favorite guitarist" that
just contain a link to youtube or another video or audio at another site.

1) You lose at least SOME of your "audience" by doing this. Me and people like me don't feel the need to go to the site you included to find out if it is anything we might be interested in. Just saying, if I saw a name and knew I liked that guitarist I have a much higher chance of following the link.

2) I tend to be a little careful about following links with no description.
security-wise it isn't the best thing, though i suppose someone with bad intentions would include a name, and then I would follow it. Point is, it is always a possible risk, so I weigh the risk against my interest...if I have no "carrot", (i.e. it is a blind link where I don't know what artist or song...)
then I have less incentive to take the risk, so I don't.

So, do with it what you will, but know that when you start a thread with just a link in it and an enticement like "my favorite guitarist", you lose viewers like me.

I know it won't change folk from doing it, but just letting folk know.

[clarkram]

Same here, I never click a link unless there is something to indicate what I'm clicking on. I don't look at it as a security thing, I just don't want to spend time (even though it may only be 2 or 3 seconds) looking at something I'm not interested in.

[peacebone]

Agreed on all points, stompboxblues.

Including a link description is just good etiquette!

[brlfq]

I know it won't change anything, but just a word to folks that start threads like "best guitar solo ever" or "my favorite guitarist" that
just contain a link to youtube or another video or audio at another site.

1) You lose at least SOME of your "audience" by doing this. Me and people like me don't feel the need to go to the site you included to find out if it is anything we might be interested in. Just saying, if I saw a name and knew I liked that guitarist I have a much higher chance of following the link.

2) I tend to be a little careful about following links with no description.
security-wise it isn't the best thing, though i suppose someone with bad intentions would include a name, and then I would follow it. Point is, it is always a possible risk, so I weigh the risk against my interest...if I have no "carrot", (i.e. it is a blind link where I don't know what artist or song...)
then I have less incentive to take the risk, so I don't.

So, do with it what you will, but know that when you start a thread with just a link in it and an enticement like "my favorite guitarist", you lose viewers like me.

I know it won't change folk from doing it, but just letting folk know.


Ditto! I just pass them by.

[StompBoxBlues]

Good point, np, I'll edit my post. :)

Thanks! I wasn't picking on you specifically, or anyone really, just letting folks know so they can either take it into consideration, or not care.

Regards!

[mprvise]

:agree Description helpful. Yes please.

[Tone_Terrific]

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=450958

Another 'how not to' example.

[littledreamer]

Ha ha, I just directed those on that thread to this one! :D

[bjjp2]

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=450958

Another 'how not to' example.

Your scorn has caused me to identify the link in my thread. (Though I don't see what the big deal is).

[Jahn]

look, don't even try to link if you can't beat these chops-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0

[Tone_Terrific]

Your scorn has caused me to identify the link in my thread. (Though I don't see what the big deal is).

Here's the problem. What if it had been a John Mayer link?
I would be clicking on a JM link. How many JM links can one person click on before one goes a bit wonky and develops JM phobia? ...huh?..see it's happening!!