contributed by Michael G. at 04:32 PM on February 12, 2004.
I was just reading a list-serv thread and someone is looking for software to validate web links in their library catalog. Link validation is obviously an important necessity for web developers, but is a completly underdeveloped aspect of traditional library catalogs, especially considering the ever-increasing volume of authoratative information available on the web.
The person looking for info got one response, and a quick internet search found no software containing such functionality. The response was actually from someone who manually takes URLs from their catalog database and runs them through a link validation software made for websites, and then manually goes back to the catalog to repair any broken links.
I can't imagine a more arduous or unnessecarily time-consuming process. Seems like there is a definite market, if anyone is looking for a development project.
The software the one responder uses is Web Link Validator from REL Software. It is reasonably priced and well reviewed.
If anyone is aware of other software, please let me know and I'll pass it along.
Comments
Apparently the problem isn't just link verrification, but link verrifcation of web materials that are included in library catalogs. Apparently OPACs now include URLs to information that is on the web. This is most often the case with government documents, where the web version can easily be deemed as authoratiative as the print (.gov material compared to .com).
Does that clear things up? I've not actually come across such a link in an OPAC myself, but I've heard about them.
Posted by: Michael | February 13, 2004 11:42 AM
I posted a follow up to this as a new entry, but erased it as it should have been a comment. I wondered, though, if these links in need of verification were URL's from OPAC's because that does make things a little more tricky.
This is not the list-serv for the original question, but in order to really help this person - it would be necessary to know what kind of OPAC they have, and look into how that OPAC handles URL's. And then take it from there...
Michael are you familiar with DOI??? I think that instead of developing link checking software - librarians should be learning about 'automated content standards'
Posted by: t_l | February 13, 2004 12:06 PM
Due to the proliferation of comment spam, I've had to close comments on this
entry. If you would like to leave comment, please use one of my recent
entries. Thank you and sorry for any inconvience caused.
Comments
Apparently the problem isn't just link verrification, but link verrifcation of web materials that are included in library catalogs. Apparently OPACs now include URLs to information that is on the web. This is most often the case with government documents, where the web version can easily be deemed as authoratiative as the print (.gov material compared to .com).
Does that clear things up? I've not actually come across such a link in an OPAC myself, but I've heard about them.
Posted by: Michael | February 13, 2004 11:42 AM
I posted a follow up to this as a new entry, but erased it as it should have been a comment. I wondered, though, if these links in need of verification were URL's from OPAC's because that does make things a little more tricky.
This is not the list-serv for the original question, but in order to really help this person - it would be necessary to know what kind of OPAC they have, and look into how that OPAC handles URL's. And then take it from there...
Michael are you familiar with DOI??? I think that instead of developing link checking software - librarians should be learning about 'automated content standards'
Posted by: t_l | February 13, 2004 12:06 PM