What can you use the application for?
Runt.ly is an online service that allows users to create short, blog style posts to share over micro-blogging platforms like Twitter, FriendFeed, Yammer or Plurk. The site stores the post at a unique, shortened URL which can easily be posted on the micro-blogging platforms with a description without exceeding the character limit. When someone views a post, they have the ability to leave a comment on the post as a guest, or by logging in using their Facebook, Twitter or OpenID account. Posts can also be easily shared on the major social networking sites.
Posts can contain images, embedded videos, links and more. There is a full-featured WYSIWYG editor provided for creating posts. Users also have the option of directly editing the HTML code for the post. No signup or registration is required to generate a post using the service. Registration is available, however, and gives the user the ability to easily access and edit their posts in the future. Registered users have a My Stuff page, which shows a list of all of their posts along with their associated URL and the date they were last edited. Logged-in users can view and edit any post by clicking on its URL.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
The Runt.ly site was launched in November 2009.
What are the differences to other applications?
Competition to Runt.ly comes mainly from URL shortener sites like bit.ly and is.gd. Neither of these sites offers storage of posts, only shortening of a URL to a post on another service. bit.ly, however, provides tracking statistics for shortened URLs to registered users. is.gd simply shortens URLs. The Runt.ly service appears to be unique in offering a service that both stores longer posts and shortens the URL.
How does the application look and feel to use?
The Runt.ly site has a very clean and uncluttered look and feel. The site is quite responsive, and page loads happen quickly. The editor for composing posts works very well. Navigation is quite intuitive, and the site is easy to use. Advertising is displayed on the site, and is somewhat obtrusive.
How does the registration process work?
Registration to the Runt.ly site is free and is not required to use the service. Registration is required if the user wishes to access and edit posts at a later time, however. The registration process simply asks for username, password and email address. Validation of the email address is required to log into the site.
What does it cost to use the application?
There is no premium membership offered to the Runt.ly site. Ads are shown next to blog posts.
Who would you recommend the application to?
The Runt.ly service is recommended to anyone who regularly posts on Twitter, FriendFeed and other micro-blogging platforms with a short character limit. The site makes it very easy to create a longer post and receive a shortened URL which can be posted on the micro-blogging platform along with a short description. The service is very easy to use and works quite well overall.
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