Stories with Tag archival

• Perma.cc – Permanent Link Service

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-02-07 14:04:14

  Verbose tl;dr

  Perma.cc is a web archiving service designed to create permanent, verifiable links to online content. It combats link rot by archiving web pages and generating short, stable URLs that redirect to the captured version. This ensures cited material remains accessible even if the original source disappears or is altered. Perma.cc prioritizes authenticity and verifiability, allowing users to view archived page metadata and confirm its integrity. The service is primarily aimed at legal professionals, academics, and journalists who need reliable citations, but is available to anyone concerned with preserving web content.

  The Harvard Law School Library Innovation Lab introduces Perma.cc, a robust and enduring archiving service meticulously designed to combat the pervasive issue of "link rot" – the phenomenon of web links becoming inaccessible over time due to content deletion, website migration, or other disruptions. Perma.cc provides a solution by creating permanent, archived snapshots of web pages, ensuring the long-term availability of cited material.

  This service is particularly crucial for scholars, legal professionals, journalists, and anyone who relies on the consistent accessibility of online resources for research, referencing, or evidentiary purposes. By generating a "perma link," which redirects to a preserved version of the original web page, Perma.cc safeguards against the loss of valuable information and maintains the integrity of citations. These archived snapshots capture the content as it appeared at a specific point in time, offering a verifiable record of the cited material.

  Perma.cc emphasizes its commitment to enduring preservation through its collaborative approach. The service leverages a distributed network of libraries committed to maintaining the archived materials, further enhancing the reliability and permanence of the saved content. This decentralized approach ensures that even if one participating library encounters technical difficulties, the archived material remains accessible through other nodes in the network. The Library Innovation Lab at Harvard Law School stewards the project, underpinning its credibility and focus on the preservation of information vital to scholarly pursuits and legal proceedings. The platform is presented as a valuable tool for bolstering the stability and reliability of online scholarship and information dissemination in an era of volatile web content.

  • perma.cc
  • permanent links
  • archival
  • web archiving
  • digital preservation
  • link rot
  • URL preservation
  • Citation
  • Research
  • academic resources
  • internet archive
  • web permanence

  Summary of Comments ( 68 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42972622

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News commenters generally praised Perma.cc for its mission of preserving web links. Several pointed out the crucial role such a service plays in academic citations and legal contexts where link rot can severely hamper research and due diligence. Some expressed concerns about the cost and closed-source nature of the platform, suggesting alternatives like archive.today or IPFS. A few users discussed the technical aspects of Perma.cc, touching upon its architecture and storage mechanisms, while others debated the efficacy and long-term sustainability of centralized archiving solutions. The closed-source nature was a recurring theme, with commenters wishing for more transparency or a community-driven alternative. Finally, some discussed the legal implications of web archiving and the potential for copyright disputes.

  The Hacker News thread for "Perma.cc – Permanent Link Service" contains a lively discussion with numerous comments exploring various facets of the service. Many commenters express strong support for Perma.cc and its mission of combating link rot, highlighting the critical importance of preserving access to online resources for academic research, legal proceedings, and general knowledge preservation.

  Several comments delve into the technical aspects of Perma.cc, questioning its architecture and archival methods. One commenter asks about the long-term sustainability of the platform and its ability to handle the ever-growing volume of online content. Another raises concerns about potential security vulnerabilities and the risk of data loss. These technical questions prompt further discussion about alternative archival solutions and the challenges of guaranteeing perpetual access to digital information.

  The pricing model of Perma.cc also draws attention, with some commenters debating the cost-effectiveness of the service compared to other options like the Internet Archive. A few suggest that a tiered pricing structure or open-source alternatives could broaden accessibility.

  The conversation also touches upon the broader issue of link rot and its implications for the internet. Commenters lament the ephemeral nature of online content and the frustration of encountering broken links. Some advocate for greater awareness and responsibility among content creators and platforms to ensure the longevity of online resources.

  A few commenters share personal anecdotes about instances where Perma.cc proved invaluable for accessing vital information that would otherwise have been lost. These stories underscore the practical benefits of the service and reinforce the importance of its mission.

  In summary, the comments on Hacker News reflect a general appreciation for Perma.cc and its efforts to address the problem of link rot. However, the discussion also reveals a healthy skepticism and a desire for greater transparency regarding the technical details, long-term sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of the service. The thread highlights the ongoing challenge of preserving digital information and the need for innovative solutions to ensure access to online resources for future generations.

• Newsstands, 2012-2019

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-01-28 21:08:17

  Verbose tl;dr

  Trevor Traynor's photo series "Newsstands, 2012-2019" documents the disappearing presence of New York City newsstands over seven years. The photos capture the diverse and often cluttered character of these small businesses, showcasing their role as a microcosm of city life. The project subtly highlights the changing urban landscape and the decline of print media as many of the featured stands eventually vanish, leaving behind empty sidewalks. The series serves as a visual elegy for a fading piece of New York's cultural fabric.

  Between the years 2012 and 2019, photographer Trevor Traynor embarked on a comprehensive photographic documentation of New York City's dwindling newsstand population. His resulting project, poignantly titled "Newsstands, 2012-2019," offers a richly detailed visual chronicle of these iconic urban fixtures, capturing their diverse architectural styles, vibrant displays of periodicals and sundries, and their integral role within the city's bustling street life. Traynor's photographs meticulously showcase the unique character of each newsstand, from the classic green-painted kiosks to more idiosyncratic structures, highlighting the individualized nature of these small businesses.

  The project implicitly underscores the gradual disappearance of these newsstands from New York City's streetscape over the documented period. While the photographs themselves do not explicitly depict demolition or removal, the very act of capturing these structures in their varied forms serves as a form of preservation against their increasing scarcity. The images subtly hint at the changing media landscape and the forces of urban development that contribute to the decline of this traditional form of print media distribution.

  Through his lens, Traynor captures not only the physical structures but also the human element associated with newsstands. Glimpses of vendors interacting with customers, pedestrians navigating around the kiosks, and the general urban hustle and bustle surrounding these locations provide a sense of the newsstand's embeddedness within the urban fabric. The photographs invite viewers to reflect on the newsstand’s function as a social hub, a point of connection between people and information, and a familiar landmark within the ever-evolving city landscape. The project evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of print media prominence and serves as a testament to the changing face of urban life. The comprehensive nature of the collection, encompassing a multitude of newsstands across the city, further amplifies the sense of loss and transformation that the project conveys.

  • newsstands
  • photography
  • Street Photography
  • urban
  • Cityscapes
  • Documentary Photography
  • vernacular photography
  • New York City
  • NYC
  • 2010s
  • archival
  • film photography
  • analog photography
  • 35mm
  • kodak
  • small business
  • retail
  • decline of print media
  • Nostalgia

  Summary of Comments ( 0 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42858029

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally praised the photography and nostalgic feel of the "Newsstands" project. Several commenters shared personal anecdotes about their experiences with newsstands, highlighting their role as community hubs and lamenting their decline. Some discussed the changing media landscape and the impact of digital news on print publications, which contributed to the disappearance of these businesses. A few users pointed out technical aspects of the photographs, like the consistent framing and lighting, while others appreciated the project's focus on a specific, vanishing piece of urban life. A couple of New Yorkers offered insights into the continued existence (albeit diminished) of newsstands in the city, noting their evolution towards selling snacks and beverages.

  The Hacker News post titled "Newsstands, 2012-2019" (linking to an article showcasing photos of newsstands) sparked a diverse and engaging discussion in the comments section.

  Several users reminisced about the role of newsstands in their lives and the changing media landscape. One commenter recounted their experience working at a newsstand in the 1980s, highlighting the social aspect and the variety of publications available. This sparked further discussion about the community aspect of newsstands, with another user lamenting the loss of these local hubs of information and connection.

  The decline of print media and the rise of digital alternatives were recurring themes. Commenters discussed the impact of the internet and smartphones on news consumption habits. One user pointed out the irony of viewing photographs of physical newsstands on a digital platform. Another suggested that the nostalgia surrounding newsstands might stem from a simpler time before the constant influx of information from the internet.

  Several comments focused on the aesthetic appeal of the photographs, praising the photographer's composition and the nostalgic atmosphere captured in the images. One user specifically complimented the photographer's ability to capture the "texture" of the city.

  Some commenters also touched upon the practical challenges faced by newsstand owners, such as increasing rent and declining sales. One comment pointed out the shift in inventory from primarily newspapers and magazines to snacks and drinks as a means of survival.

  A couple of commenters shared personal anecdotes related to newsstands, adding a human touch to the discussion. One user shared a story about their grandfather owning a newsstand.

  Overall, the comments section reflected a blend of nostalgia, appreciation for the photography, and recognition of the societal changes that have led to the decline of newsstands. The discussion remained grounded in the subject matter and offered diverse perspectives without veering into unrelated topics.