With disc and tape memory almost free, there is no excuse for not filing a reference copy -- just as we file hardcopy of journal articles. Authors that use online information should retain a copy of that information, preferably the entire page. If that was done, then the author could provide the information on request, or if known the URL that currently has the document. To really do the job right the author could maintain a web page with information redirecting the reader or providing a single click request for a filed copy of "disappeared" web pages
I usually work on the principle that if i have cited something then it was a resource worth saving, and you can bet that if i don't save my citation it will be THE one that i will need or want in the future, ...mostly i keep print copies as well as disk copies (i find it easier to curl up on the sofa with the article, a pencil and a brandy than to do all my reading at my desk!) when i buy a new text one of the first things i do is to trawl the online citations...them being the easiest to access...and it is very disappointing when a promising url is dead......but i have had a fair amount of success in emailing ppl and asking them for hard copy......i seem to come across less dead links these days and thought perhaps that was due to more familiarity with the medium, because:- a] as ppl realise how annoying dead links are and b] as ppl more commonly have their own webpages they will try to improve matters, and information may become more static DENISE.M.CARTER DOCTORAL STUDENT CASS UNIVERSITY OF HULL EMAIL: d.m.carter@cas.hull.ac.uk OR: denisecarter@denisecarter.net Web Pages: http://www.denisecarter.net