CU Short URLs

A new service provided by SRC Web Team

This service allows users to create short urls that match the university brand. We've created a new D9 site to interface with YOURLs, an open source link shortener.

We can go from a url like https://www.colorado.edu/academics/programs/technology-arts-media ,
to something like https://sho.rt/tam

Feature Overview

New Roles
Generate random URLs like https://sho.rt/f56j from any approved domain
Applications for shortening non approved domains or creating custom paths
Block to show a list of existing short links
Automatic update emails sent to applicants

The link shortener includes some features that will make managing it easier. We've added new roles and permissions, which I'll explain on the next slide.

Next, this service can be used two ways. The first is to generate random short links like the ones created with bitly, however, those urls will be restricted to a list of allowed domains only.

The second way is to create custom short links, which have either custom pathnames or shorten urls from non approved domains. Generating these links require users to fill out a short webform. The applications provide a way for admins to verify that the link is appropriate and to prevent collisions between keywords. Emails are also sent automatically to applicants about their application status.

Last, there's a block that shows a list of existing short links.

Roles

New users will receive the Web Service Contributor role. This allows them to generate random URLs and apply for custom ones

The Web Service Admin role allows them to view stats about existing short URLs and manage applications

If users are abusing the service, admins can remove the Web Service Contributor role, restricting their access

Configuration

Web Service Admins can easily connect Drupal to YOURLs

Let's generate a random URL

Now let's Apply for a Custom URL

Users will fill out this form with a few details about the URL they want to shorten

Ex) A user could ask to shorten:

https://cubuffs.com/sports/2017/7/28/ticket-information-request-form.aspx

/tickets

Managing URL Applications

Once a user has requested a short URL, an admin will either Approve or Reject it. Emails are automatically sent to applicants notifying them of their status.

Time to visit the new link

Thank you!

Visit the CU Short URLs dev site

Next Steps

We need to pick a domain to use for the link shortener. Here are some current ideas, and we encourage your thoughts and ideas!

buff.click
be.cu
boulder.cu
col.ora.do
boulder.is

boulder.link
ucb.page
boulder.sh
ucb.site
boulder.st