TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Lisa Wright wrote: <<In a document I am copy editing, the author (no longer
at the company)
included a quote that was from an article posted on news.com, the source
indicated as "Reuters/news.com" with the URL listed. So, like any good copy
editor would :), I check to see if the URL works. I got the message "The
article is expired." When I searched for the article title using the site's
search engine, I got the same thing. The Reuters site provided nothing.
<snip> How do you cite online resources in general, given that they can
disappear?>>
I'd say that frames are a pain.
I deal with this problem two ways. One is CYA: include a statement that says
"If it's an external source, we take no responsibility for it, we're just
telling you it exists now at the time we published this, it could be
annihilated or assimilated and we just wouldn't know because it's nothing to
do with us" (paraphrased).
Second: I always try to get the real URL as opposed to the frame URL or a
temporary URL. (You might be able to find out where the Reuters article is
permanently archived - if it is - by googling on the quote, rather than
using their site search engine.) For example: today's Dilbert cartoon, a
continuation of the downsizing of Dilbert, is at www.dilbert.com. But, if I
wanted to reference it on this list for the amusement and instruction of
all, I would reference it by the archive URL: http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20020108.html, because
that URL will still work for at least the next month, whereas the apparently
straightforward URL for www.dilbert.com would have a different cartoon
tomorrow. Probably equally amusing, of course.
Jane Carnall
Technical Writer, Digital Bridges, Scotland
Unless stated otherwise, these opinions are mine, and mine alone. Apologies
for the long additional sig: it is added automatically and outwith my
control.
E-mail is an informal method of communication and may be subject to data corruption, interception and unauthorised amendment for which Digital Bridges Ltd will accept no liability. Therefore, it will normally be inappropriate to rely on information contained on e-mail without obtaining written confirmation.
This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient (or have received this e-mail in error) please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail. Any unauthorized copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this e-mail is strictly forbidden.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Collect Royalties, Not Rejection Letters! Tell us your rejection story when you
submit your manuscript to iUniverse Nov. 6 -Dec. 15 and get five free copies of
your book. What are you waiting for? http://www.iuniverse.com/media/techwr
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
