#xitter

@fantasticlife @edent Using a DOI still introduces a dependency, but you don’t get the same proliferation of once-responsible parties in the chain of redirects.

@fantasticlife @edent the degree that one can “also do this with HTTP” is inversely proportional to “the number of domains involved in redirects” X “the competence and good-will of whoever is running the domains you don’t control.”

@fantasticlife @edent But critically, if they do break, there is an evidence record in the form of registered metadata. And there is the possibility of repointing and repairing it- even if the content moves domains (e.g. to another country, department, archive).

@fantasticlife @edent But you are correct (seriously this time) on the issue of attention-span. DOIs are not magic. DOIs will also break if not maintained.

@fantasticlife @edent So true. Governments never merge or split departments. Or sell-off and privatise critical branches of the government. Or renationalise them. And countries and IGOs never merge or split either. Nope- can’t see how government would face any of the same problems.