This is why I implemented url following on the server in Mibbit...
Having someone throw you a shortened url on IRC is a pain, so now the Mibbit server follows it, and sends over the destination URL, which shows when you hover over the shortened URL.
Means a few less surprises ;)
I've seen a couple of other sites do something similar, although it's usually an (expand) thing you have to click.
Perfect, that's what everybody should do, just replace the unreadable cryptic shortener with "link" and follow the url so hovering will show it on the status bar.
Having someone throw you a shortened url on IRC is a pain, so now the Mibbit server follows it, and sends over the destination URL, which shows when you hover over the shortened URL.
Means a few less surprises ;)
I've seen a couple of other sites do something similar, although it's usually an (expand) thing you have to click.