<$BlogRSDUrl$> Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Internet Happenings, Events and Sources


Tuesday, September 14, 2004  

UK Web Archiving Consortium
http://www.webarchive.org.uk/

For many, the web has become the information source of first resort. From keeping abreast of latest news and accessing online journals and datasets, through to finding information about travel and sport, the web has become the information tool of choice. However, despite our apparent dependence on this medium very little attention has been paid to the long-term preservation of websites. Indeed, with the life of an average website estimated to be around 44 days (about the same lifespan as a housefly) there is a danger that invaluable scholarly, cultural and scientific resources will be lost to future generations. To address this problem, a consortium of six leading UK institutions is working collaboratively on a project to develop a test-bed for selective archiving of UK websites. Using PANDAS software, developed by the National Library of Australia, consortium members will archive sites (once appropriate permissions have been obtained from website owners) relevant to their interests. For example, the Wellcome Library will focus on collecting medical sites, whilst the National Library of Wales will collect sites that reflect life in contemporary Wales. The British Library will focus on sites of cultural, historical and political importance. Once sites have been archived, catalogued and checked for completeness, they will be made accessible through this website. Users will be able to browse the archive – using broad subject headings – or search for specific sites and topics. This has been added t6o Deep Web Research Subject Tracer Information Blog.

posted by Marcus Zillman | 4:20 AM
archives
subject tracers™