Re: to link or not to link: PURLs

From: Erik Hetzner <erik.hetzner_at_nyob> Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:24:05 -0800 To: CODE4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU

At Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:57:42 -0600,
Pottinger, Hardy J. wrote:
> 
> Hi, this topic has come up for discussion with some of my
> colleagues, and I was hoping to get a few other perspectives. For a
> public interface to a repository and/or digital library, would you
> make the handle/PURL an active hyperlink, or just provide the URL in
> text form? And why?
> 
> My feeling is, making the URL an active hyperlink implies confidence
> in the PURL/Handle, and provides the user with functionality they
> expect of a hyperlink (right or option-click to copy, or bookmark).

A permanent URL should be displayed in the address bar of the user’s
browser. Then, when users do what they are going to do anyway (select
the link in the address bar & copy it), it will work.

best, Erik Hetzner

Sent from my free software system <http://fsf.org/>.