RE: Citing "expired" sources

[eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com]

<<Possibly a useful tip regarding this dilemma is to remind that using
Internet Explorer's "file-save as" feature, one can save an entire web site,
text and graphics, to his/her workstation.  If nothing else, this could
provide the next writer with something to look at to help determine whether
to keep the reference, and could be expanded, with proper permissions of
course, to something to actually use as the reference in place of the
missing file at the external server.  In any event, it seems like a good
idea to retain copies of source material references, and to retain them
electronically when they are electronic.>>

I have to agree that this is excellent advice. I would also think that this
should be standard practice for most technical writers and for most
documentation, shouldn't it? Unless you are in control of the archiving of
material or explicitly trust the material will be archived, a copy should always
be kept on file to keep track of the history of the documentation. How else can
you defend the information in a document?

I think the archiving of web pages is also an excellent idea that should be
extended to those who create and maintain web pages. This would help in two
ways. First to defend references should the page be removed or changed and
secondly to give material to be included in the referring web site if the
referred page is removed. For the second case permission may be required from
the original author. This permission should be obtained when the reference is
first found. Once the reference disappears it may be difficult to track down the
owner.

Eric L. Dunn



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