Dear All,
Another interesting aspect of this debate is the advisability of
deep-linking in the first place. As an increasing number of sites move
towards dynamically-generated content, the information presented on a page
may have been assembled in response to the specific sequence of previous
steps of an individual user. A dynamically-assigned URL can include CGI,
ASP, JSP or a variety of other path codes, with the result that your
deep-link may come to resemble more a line of code than a meaningful
address. With this in mind, it is often best to direct users to the home
page and provide instructions on the section of a particular website within
which the information is to be found.
With reference to Clare Allan's question about search engines, spiders and
portals, the whole issue of using URLs to refer to specific pieces of
content is going to become more difficult as we move further into a dynamic
online world.
Best regards,
Nick Poole
Nick Poole
ICT Adviser
Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries
16 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H AA
Tel 020 7273 1410
Website http://www.resource.gov.uk
Join the resourcenews email list at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clare Allan [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2001 3:07 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: "Deep-linking" to websites
>
> Interesting debate
>
> I have been wondering what the implications are for search engines,
> information gateways, etc. that provide links, many of which are
> deep-linked?
>
> Clare Allan
>
> [log in to unmask]
> Stirling University Library
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Charles Oppenheim [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 31 May 2001 13:31
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: "Deep-linking" to websites
>
>
> There have been too many US legal actions to think one can deep link willy
> nilly, and the one UK case of relevance (Shetland Times) although settled
> out of Court and therefore not a legal precedent, indicates that UK Courts
> will be sympathetic to complaints by a linked site that a link by passed
> their home page.
>
> Often, the home page will contain an introduction to the site,
> disclaimers,
> advertising, or other material the owner wants readers to notice. It's
> equivalent to a large department store or supermarket - yes, the owners
> want you to come in, but they want you to come in through the main
> entrance
> so you become aware of any messages they want you to see.
>
> My advice would be - first check the home page of the Web site you propose
> to link to. Does it have any adverts, disclaimers, statements of purpose
> of the site, etc. If there are none, it is probably safe to go direct to
> deep linking. If there any such statements or adverts, link to the home
> page only, or else request permission to deep link.
>
>
>
> Professor Charles Oppenheim
> Dept of Information Science
> Loughborough University
> Loughborough
> Leics LE11 3TU
>
> Tel 01509-223065
> Fax 01509-223053
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