Almost anyone who uses the internet frequently has lost a link. There may be an image or article that strikes the user as intriguing, perhaps a helpful application they might want to access later. The problem is that our memories are not photographic and we sometimes lose those links. It may be hard to retrieve them. Trunk.ly is designed for our forgetful minds. The system allows users to quickly create a list of links they want to save in case they need to reference them later. Users can capture links from Delicious, Facebook, Posterous, InstaPaper, RSS Feeds, WordPress and Twitter and save them using Trunk.ly. The application also gives users a few helpful tools that can easily be taken from the site. The first is a “Save into Trunk.ly” button that can be dragged and dropped onto the user’s browser. The next is a Trunk.ly save button that allows publishers to track who has shared their content. A Trunk.ly blog widget is also available as well as a free to use Trunk.ly icon and one key search functions for Chrome and Firefox browsers.

Trunk.ly was created by BinaryPlex LTD to allow users to keep track of links, Tweets and reTweets. The creators felt there was a strong focus on social networking today, which can be a great thing when it comes to passing along information. The problem is finding an easy way to reference that information later. Trunk.ly was designed to do just that. Trunk.ly was acquired by AVOS, the company owned by YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, in November 2011. The service was shut down in January 2012.

Trunk.ly provides users with a handful of simple, effective tools that allow them to search for links they found through social networking and blogs later. The application also includes tools that allow users to add easy access buttons to a bog or website to make saving the link more convenient for visitors.

Trunk.ly is a simple tool and the website design used for it seems to match perfectly. The site uses a pleasant blue background with white text and bright green highlights. A list of testimonials complete with icons and photographs is provided along the right hand side while a large green “Register Now” button makes it easy for users to get started.

New users can scroll down the Trunk.ly homepage and click on the large green “Register Now” button to create an account. The registration form is short, even though it is large enough to span the entire page. The visitor is asked to provide a username, email address and password. A note at the bottom of the form advises the user that by submitting their information they are automatically agreeing to the Trunk.ly terms of service and privacy policy.

Anyone can use Trunk.ly for free. There are no subscription fees or other charges for accessing the site or using the application’s features. The site does state that it was in closed beta and recently opened up, so there could still be changes on the horizon that may impact the free price of Trunk.ly.

Trunk.ly provides users with an easy way to save links and make them searchable for later, so really anyone can benefit from using it. Additional tools would appeal to website and blog owners, including the Trunk.ly icon button or buttons that allow visitors to quickly save the link through Trunk.ly.

• Save links to Trunk.ly
• Add the browser button by simply dragging and dropping it onto your browser
• Create an add button on your blog for others to use
• Search saved links to access them quickly
• View a list of followers on Trunk.ly

Trunk.ly video