https://github.com/schollz/prevent-link-rot
Simple utility to convert links in any file to permanent links via the https://archive.org/web/ or http://perma.cc
https://github.com/schollz/prevent-link-rot
Last synced: 6 days ago
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Simple utility to convert links in any file to permanent links via the https://archive.org/web/ or http://perma.cc
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/schollz/prevent-link-rot
- Owner: schollz
- License: mit
- Created: 2015-10-01T12:56:09.000Z (about 10 years ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2022-12-26T19:55:18.000Z (almost 3 years ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-04-14T21:13:29.688Z (6 months ago)
- Language: HTML
- Homepage:
- Size: 318 KB
- Stars: 17
- Watchers: 2
- Forks: 2
- Open Issues: 3
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# Prevent Link Rot
**Link rot** is real, it is common, and it is pervasive. What is **link rot**? Link rot is essentially *the process by which hyperlinks cease to function, usually because the web page or server they point to has moved or has become permanently unavailable*. It has existed since the internet began. An example of its influence can be seen as recently as 2000, when [a study](http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bmb.2003.494031010165) found that within 24 months, 50% of .com domains and 20% of .gov domains were no longer viable. [1] [Another study](http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1472669614000255) found that 70% of links in Harvard Law Review and 50% of links within the United States Supreme Court opinions are no longer viable. [2] If we are to take the internet as a primary resource seriously, then we seriously need to think about undertaking a better way of long-term preservation of link contents.
## How stop link rot
Link rot can be combated in several ways.
1. Use a [digital object identifier](http://www.doi.org/) which provides persistent and actionable identification. The a website under a DOI changes, it can be changed in the DOI service so that the unique DOI identifier always links to the most up-to-date material.
2. Use a [permanent web framework](http://ipfs.io/). Our current web protocol has many nodes of failure, while newer hypermedia frameworks seek a more distributed protocol with builtin content identies that would allow data to permanently be available.
3. Only link to archiving sites like the [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/web/) or [perma.cc](https://perma.cc/). **My little program I've written helps to combat link rot by providing a simple and easy way to convert all your links to an archived link.**
# Install and Run
## Snapshot
## Install
```bash
$ virtualenv -p /usr/bin/python venv
$ source venv/bin/activate
(venv)$ pip install -r requirements.txt
```
## And run
```bash
(venv)$ python app.py
```
Goto ```http://127.0.0.1:8012/``` to use the web page to convert links.
## Demo
Try the demo [here](http://permalinker.duckdns.org/).
## Todo
- Determine relative links and fill in the original address to be able to convert
# References
1. Markwell, John, and David W. Brooks. "“Link rot” limits the usefulness of web‐based educational materials in biochemistry and molecular biology*." Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 31.1 (2003): 69-72.
2. Zittrain, Jonathan, Kendra Albert, and Lawrence Lessig. "Perma: Scoping and addressing the problem of link and reference rot in legal citations." Legal Information Management 14.02 (2014): 88-99.