making your own url shortening service
DESCRIPTION
It's a Small URL After All takes you through the process of using Yourls to create your own personalized URL shortening service similar to tinyurl.com and bit.ly. This deck was presented at BarCamp Memphis by Bob Hazlett of www.onehalfamazing.com and Daniel Pritchett of www.sharingatwork.com.TRANSCRIPT
It’s a Small URL After All
Bob Hazlett - @OneHalfAmazingDaniel Pritchett - @DPritchett
A World of...
Laughter (funny how easy this is)
Tears (avoiding pitfalls)
Hopes (that this turns out awesome)
Fear (that you’ll mess something up)
Something to share (bragging to your buddies)
Why do something like this anyway?
BrandingStability & ControlMore customizationBuilt-in StatsPluginsDarn Cool
Supplies Needed
Domain Host Access to your files (FTP)Text Editor Download Yourls package
Picking a domain
Get your host onHosted
PHP 4.3 and MySQL 4.1 with “mod_rewrite” enabled
Mainstream packages from 1and1, DreamHost or GoDaddy will do
DIY ServerLAMP on Linux
WAMP on Windows
MAMP on Mac
Download YourlsYourls 1.4 available at yourls.org
Private or PublicCustomize your linksBookmarkletIntegrated StatsWordpress PluginOpen Source
Set up your database
Configure one fileYourls.zip > Includes > Config-sample.php
Fill in a little info
> http://mysql.domain.com> database name setup earlier
Just a bit more
> http://domain.com
> set up users
Save file as config.php
FTP files to serverYourls unzipped and configured package > FTP client > hostFTP clients
CyberDuck or Transmit (Mac)FireFTP (firefox add-on)WinSCP (Windows)
.htaccess fileIf installing on same domain as WordPress
Must be in different directory
Warning! Danger!
Finally Installed
Start making babies
Expand your world
I got stats
WordPress Plugin to Twitter
Generate short URLs for each new post or pageAuto tweet on your behalf as you publish new contenthttp://bhaze.com/5
Setting up on Tweetie 2
http://DOMAIN.com/yourls-api.php?username=MyUSERNAME&password=MYPASSWORD&action=shorturl&format=simple&url=%@
Hey, Cool Guy
Other ToolsBrowser Bookmarklet
Generates short URL from page you’re currently viewingSimple or Advanced, just drag to browser toolbar
WordPress Sidebar WidgetOffer shortening service to your users
Questions
Daniel Pritchett SharingAtWork.com
Bob HazlettOneHalfAmazing.com
Other Resources
Yourls.orgScreener.com/nTsDomai.nr and MakeWords.comLifehacker article - bhaze.com/3