On the matter of posting long links - this BBS system allows you to create a hyperlink and shorten the thing to a word or two. From the instructions:
"You can also have true hyperlinks using the [url] code. Just use the following format:
[url=http://www.infopop.com]infopop.com[/url I've found this works better than the third party link shortener. If you forget how, look to the left while you are entering your post and click on "*UBB Code is ON".