I know a TON of people use TinyURL, but, I am different. I use OW.LY, and I like it. Just curious what you guys use

I always use TinyURL, since it's the default on twitter, and other than that I never use them. I don't see the point. If you need it to be shorter just hyperlink it...

Amen brother!

I find them quite useful if I need to give an URL to someone. Instead of giving them a 30+ character link, I can give them a nice short one that's much easier to remember.

Personally I like bit.ly the best.

I don't like shortened URLs because it seems like an easier way to phish a user or direct them to an unwanted site. I like seeing http://runescape.salmoneus.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=284520 in a link because I know exactly where I'm being directed. I'm seeing an increased use of shortened URLs because of Twitter. If they expanded the post limit from a measly 140 characters, it would be much better and I believe safer for the readers.

Edit: Because it's off topic, I'll edit instead of reply.
@ Cattius: I wouldn't say the whole point of Twitter is to learn how to write using only a few words. Most of the users already do that because they haven't learned how to express themselves due to a limited everyday vocabulary. The younger "Tech" generation are always looking for ways to shorten words, even those that are already abbreviated. I'd rather write a small paragraph (5-10 lines) instead of only 1-2 sentences. 140 characters is quite small for how I chat. I did fix that typo 40 -> 140, thanks. =)

I'll certainly try out that FF3 add-on and possibly add it to the Free Software list. Thanks for the suggestion.

The whole point of using Twitter is that you learn to write what you want to say in very few words. Raising the character limit would stop you from learning that. And the character limit is 140, not 40.
But I do agree with you that shortened links can be dangerous. That's why things like this Firefox add-on can come in handy.

Cattius that link didn't work.

It's a problem with the https://.

Try this link:
http://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/8636

TinyURL, very fast and reliable...

I hate them all. When using one it makes it way easier to get phish and it's just annoying as hell.

TinyURL is god.

I use TinyURL. One time I tried to have some fun with it by TinyURLing a fake link (www.CheatersRbad.ws) and TinyURLing the TinyURL link and so on, so it keeps redirecting It didn't work though because when I tried using the "master" link TinyURL gave me an error about it

I usually just hyperlink or put in the full link. Both ways people are able to see the full link.

I always hyperlink or put the whole thing. I don't have the patience to go to sites like TinyUrl, and people don't even click on TinyUrl links.

tr.im or bit.ly

I use bit.ly because that was the default on Tweetie.

CutHut or TinyUrl. Rarely need to shorten URLs unless I'm trying to show a friend something that I'm linking off eBay.