YouRL

Video Demo: https://youtu.be/5YTININHM5gVideo

Description

Welcome to YouRL, an innovative platform designed to simplify and optimize your web browsing experience. YouRL enables users to efficiently shorten long URLs for easier sharing and management. The intuitive interface offers both custom and automated short URL generation, enhancing user convenience and web navigation efficiency.

To visit YouRL and simplify your web experience, click here.

Table of Contents

• Installation
• Usage
• Mock-Up
• License
• Contributing
• Future Development Goals

Installation

• Requires Node.js and dependencies specified in the package.json file.
• Clone the repository to your local machine.
• Install the necessary dependencies using the command npm i.

Usage

Follow these steps to utilize the YouRL platform effectively:

Home Page

• The Home page is accessible upon logging in. First-time users need to sign up.
• Enter the original URL you wish to shorten. Optionally, specify a custom URL path.
• View your three most recent short URLs, listed in descending order from newest to oldest.
• You can click the copy icon button next to each short URL to easily copy it to your clipboard for quick sharing.

User Authentication

• First-time visitors can create an account via the "Sign Up" page, providing a username, email, and password
• After signing up, you will be redirected to the "Sign In" page to log in with your credentials.

Profile Page

• Accessible after logging in, the Profile page features a built-in URL shortener for convenience.
• Manage and delete your previously shortened URLs, Deletion is permanent, and the short URL path becomes reusable.
• Similar to the Home Page, you can click the copy icon button next to each short URL to copy it to your clipboard for convenience.
• Permanently delete your account, which also disables and deletes all associated shortened URLs, freeing them up for future use.

Navigation

• Seamlessly navigate between the Home and Profile pages using the navigation bar.
• Log out at any time. You will be redirected to the "Sign In" page.

Mock-Up

The following images show the application's user interface and functionality.

Sign Up

Sign In

Home

Profile

Delete A URL

Delete Account

License

MIT License

Contributing

YouRL is an ongoing solo project, and while it's primarily managed by me, I welcome any questions, feedback, or suggestions for improvement. If you're interested in discussing the project or have any queries, feel free to connect with me via LinkedIn. Your insights and perspectives are valuable in continually enhancing this application.

Future Development Goals

YouRL is not just a demonstration of my technical skills but a tool with practical applications. With a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation, the following developments are on the horizon:

Account Management Enhancements:

Introducing features for users to update their account information, including username, email, and password, ensuring a more personalized and secure experience

Enhanced Security:

Implementing a 'Forgot Password' feature, enabling users to securely reset their passwords and maintain account access.

Progressive Web App (PWA) Transition:

Converting YouRL into a PWA to provide offline access to data, thereby improving accessibility and user convenience.

Mobile Usability:

Refactoring the application using React Native, targeting enhanced mobile user experience and interface responsiveness.

Scalability Through Caching:

Incorporating Redis as a caching solution to enhance YouRL's scalability. This will significantly speed up data retrieval processes, reduce server load, and ensure a faster, more efficient user experience, even as user traffic grows.