The Proper Way to Print an MSU Web Address
I thought I would take a moment to explain how MSU web addresses work because I often see printed MSU information that has an address MUCH longer than it needs to be.
Part 1: The index file
When we create homepages for offices and departments at MSU we use a file called "index.asp." The MSU Web Server tells all browsers to look for this file anytime you type in an MSU web address.
So, typing in www.mwsu.edu/purchasing causes it to look for www.mwsu.edu/purchasing/index.asp
and, registrar.mwsu.edu would look for registrar.mwsu.edu/index.asp
As such, you DO NOT have to print the index.asp in your publications... it's just extra text for users to have to remember or type incorrectly.
Before you send anything out for print (or electronic newsletters) check for the word index.asp at the end of the address... try removing it and make sure it works without it (it should) and then send out the shorter address.
Part 2: The Link Library parameters
I just noticed another extra piece of code that people are including in publications. For internal use we add something called a "Link Library" code to all web addresses used in MSU menus. It's not important for me to explain what it is OR what it does, but I want to take a minute to explain how to find it and remove it from your addresses before you send them to print - because, just like the index.asp text I discussed above, it is extra code that website visitors do not need.
Let's take the address for the page you are looking at right now - you can see it in your web browser as www.mwsu.edu/webmaster/urlprinting.asp?LL=1678. The last portion of the address ?LL=1678 is the Link Library code that I'm talking about. It is used internally for webpages to share common menu items - it DOES NOT need to be printed in publications... so, the address www.mwsu.edu/webmaster/urlprinting.asp would work perfectly.