What exactly is a Perma link?
A Perma link provides access to an archived version of a webpage. It is saved as a captured page (a replica or the original) and as a screenshot, both of which are stored on a server at Harvard. Perma.cc creates Perma links of webpages, not websites. That means Perma.cc will only capture the exact URL that you specify but not any links that originate from it.
Why do I need to write to you to obtain log in information?
Perma.cc is free for libraries and their affiliated users, and our license allows for the creation of unlimited links. If you are a professor or Osgoode Community member you can become an affiliate user and take advantage of these benefits. You'll also help Osgoode Hall Law School Library build up a repository of links that are used in Osgoode faculty articles.
I'm not a faculty member. Can I still use Perma.cc?
Yes, but you will not be affiliated with the institutional account managed by the Osgoode Hall Law School Library. Currently, Perma.cc offers a total of 10 free links, after which you will have to sign up for a subscription package if you wish to create more links. Reach out to Perma.cc directly for more information. If you are an Osgoode student, see the Information for Students tab in the menu above.
Help! I created my own account and now I'd like an Osgoode affiliated account.
Send us an email at digitalcommons@osgoode.yorku.ca and we can make you an affiliate.
Can I alter the folders and organization setting for the Osgoode Digital Commons Perma.cc account?
You can, but please don't. This is a shared account and your actions have the potential to impact other users of the account. Don't alter the basic settings for the account or delete links that aren't yours.
How do I use the Perma.cc folders?
When you create an account, you will automatically be given a folder called "My Links." This folder cannot be renamed. You may add child folders and rename or delete these by using the notepad, plus sign (+), and garbage can tools located to the right of the word "Folders." You can also right-click for the same functions.
How do I cite Perma.cc links in a paper?
At the moment, there is no accepted Canadian standard for legal citation of permanent URLs such as Perma links. We suggest using them as you would any other URL. Refer to the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation (the McGill Guide) for more information on how to cite electronic sources.
Do I have to go to Perma.cc every time that I want to save a link?
You could, or you could install the Perma.cc bookmark. To use this bookmark, simply drag it onto your browser toolbar. Then, whenever you visit a page that needs to be saved, just click on the bookmark to open Perma.cc and save the URL.
Are Perma Links really necessary? I thought that everything on the web was there forever?
Some websites are more stable than others. A Government of Canada website likely has more staying power than a student blog, but even relatively stable sites can go offline and page addresses may change. Maybe someone forgot to renew their domain name, couldn't pay their bills, or they've been hacked? Even if the site remains, content such as images, comments, and format may all be altered over time. Web archives such as Perma.cc can be very useful for capturing webpages affected by war or conflict, political revision, or censorship. This article in The New Yorker notes some of the major revisions that have happened online.
What happens if Perma.cc goes out of business?
In case this happens, there’s a contingency plan in place.