Tom,

PLEASE don't put in those looooong URLs! Use Tinyurl.com.

:-(

OK, Nuke, I can see there are plusses to tinyurl.com. The thing I'm not crazy about is the "unknown destination" aspect, since the new URL doesn't have anything in its name to tell you where you're going.

Lots of good applications I can imagine, but I'm not sure if it makes a lot of difference here, does it? The long URL does get you to the right place, even if it is ... ungainly. I guess I don't think about aesthetics on a message board!

Thanks for the introduction to the service.

Tomas:

tinyurl now has a preview function to address the very concerns that you and others may have.

The long url does skew the message board making it harder to read the messages quickly.

Thanks for you good advice. We're going to Paris next month.

CW

Thanks for all of your replies...they are so helpful.
I think instead of getting to the Eiffel Tower early, we may go to lunch at Altitude. If so, which sights should we see that morning and then head over to the Tower around 1:00?
Is the food good or just mediocre?
I would hate to sacrifice a great meal elsewhere.
Also, is it wise to take a little cat nap in the early evening on our first night there (traveling from U.S.)?
Thanks

I don't like tinyurls, so don't think that is some universal opinion or edict. I prefer the real URLs that I can see, and I don't want to spend a second of my time going to some other website and using a preview function. I don't like them because when you print the thread, you can't save any info that way, either. Besides, that website does go down sometimes and the info can be lost.

Anyway, I haven't eaten in the Eiffel Tower so can't comment, I think it is just mediocre (Altitude). Probably the same as a million other typical cafes, etc. in Paris. I don't have to have every meal be a cosmic experience, though, I don't care that much so place more emphasis on what is convenient and suits my schedule.

It's individual as to the nap, thing. I don't nap upon arrival any more at all, as I adapt better when I don't. HOwever, even those who do, don't do it in early evening, but in late morning or afternoon. If you nap in the evening, I think that is really going to throw you off. That is true everywhere, actually, even at home -- I read some health advice once or for people with more restless sleep patterns, and it said one should never ever nap after 6 pm. I agree with that.

Some wise folks have declared that a great restaurant view is obverseley proportionate to the quality of the food: If people are coming for the view, maybe the restaurateur loses interest in the food!

Not a hard and fast rule, but true so often that it seems like one ...