The Journal
Writing &
field notes.
Essays, guides, and unhurried examinations of the small technologies that hold the open web together. Updated when we have something worth saying.
3 posts · RSS feed
№ 003
How URL shorteners actually work
A short URL is a database row, an HTTP redirect, and a series of decisions you don't usually see. Here is what happens when you click bit.ly/anything.
6 min read
urlswebinfrastructure№ 002
QR code error correction, explained
Why a QR code with a logo in the middle still scans, why some codes survive coffee stains and others don't, and how to pick the right error correction level for your use case.
7 min read
qr-codesencodingdesign№ 001
The hidden cost of free URL shorteners
Free URL shorteners are not free — they trade your data, your link's longevity, and your readers' privacy. Here is what you are actually paying.
7 min read
urlsprivacyweb