example.com yoursite.com mysite.com

Instead of posting the url: http://www.example.com when we want to make a generic kind of post, why doesn't everyone in this forum just post: http://www.digitalpoint.com

I'm suprised a tradition hasn't evolved in forums the world over that when you post an example of a url, instead of linking to these random sites that do actually exist, link to the homepage of the site on which the forum sits.

 

You're supposed to use example.com. Mysite.com and yoursite.com are wrong, but example.com is specifically intended for documentation and examples.

 

I think that might confuse some people. Using example.com is a clear indication that the URL is just an example. Using the site's actual domain would be less clear that the URL is just an example.

In addition it might drive some webmasters crazy who use their site's log files to find broken links.

In the case of http://www.example.com, the domain is reserved for use in documentation of examples. If you actually go to http://www.example.com you will see a statement as such.

Just my $.02.

 

Why don't you use foobar (a unix tradition) ?

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/F/foobar.html

 

A foobar! lol, is that what that is... I've only herd of the fubar version!!

OK, oversight on the example.com example, but there seem to be a lot of other ones people use that are actual sites.... like site.com

 

I've never used example, I've always used domain.com

 

Because foobar.com is an actual site, and you're just feeding them free publicity. Same for domain.com.

 

yeah, well, if someone is dumb enough to click on domain.com when using it as an example, what can I do...

 

yes, it's a site but foobar has been used during the old days as a way of doing this.

"When foo or foobar is used, everyone understands that these are just examples, and they don't really exist."

Coincidentally some geek wants to capitalise on this by using foobar as his domain name, so good on him.

 

Uhm, no.

A. you're building them links back to their sites.
B. what about instances where the link is not clicked, rather, you are demonstarting a 'page grabber' or something?
C. uh, yeah.

 

Good point Dominic. How effective forum links are though is another question.