There are a handful of software programs that will copy (in total
including all of the links) entire Web sites.  Essentially it makes a
functional off-line version of a site.  Some work well, others
not-so-well.  Most of these software packages have a bit of a
learning curve to make sure all of a Web site's content is
copied.  The more layers of links, the more difficult it is to copy.

One factor to take into consideration is the amount of bandwidth you
have when making a copy.  These programs do not compress data.  So
however many gigabytes in size a Web site is, that is what will be
copied.  I assume a site such as Hardy's Gastropods would take hours
if not days to download.  And then it has to be manually tested to
make sure the links have been copied correctly.

Another, and even more important consideration is copyright issues if
and when making a global copy of a Web site for personal use.  The
laws of Cyber-copyright are still somewhat murky at best.  And that
goes for elements as well as the whole...as the saying goes, "Once it
is created, it is copyrighted."

The "Wayback Machine" Internet Archive is useful for specific pages,
but it only archives periodic snapshots of the Web site.  Often the
links within a archived Web site are usually no longer viable if the
site is defunct; and you need to know the old URL to find an archived
page.  Also, the W.M. does not archive every update on a Web site and
that can be an issue with frequently updated sites.

Frankly, it is up to the Web site owner/author to decide if they will
make an archive of their Web site at a point in time when they decide
to stop updating their site.  Setting up a trust that will fund in
perpetuity the continuation of a Web site I'm sure is costly.  And
then at what point will the Web site content become outdated?  Lot's
of considerations need to be mulled over.

Much like decisions we should make about our shell collections after
we pass on, it is up to a site owner to decide the ultimate fate of
their Web site after they pass through the pearly gates.

Rich
www.worldwideconchology.com


At 09:19 AM 10/8/2013, you wrote:
>Carole,
>
>This is an important question not only impacting webpages but also digital
>publishing. While I have no doubt that major sites and publications,
>backed by big money, will survive, what will happen to those sites that
>are not backed by big money or publications that are sponsored by a small
>society or club?
>
>I have already seen some very good medical informatics sites disappear.
>While their medical content may have become dated, their way of looking at
>things and analyzing them is something that will not change. However,
>these sites no longer exist and this info is lost.
>
>Having written a biography of Juan Jose Parodiz, late curator of
>invertebrate zoology at the Carnegie Museum, I depended greatly on his
>archived publications, notes, and correspondences. In this e-mail era (and
>future), I'm not sure what will be available for historians to research
>the background of individuals and history in general.
>
>Recently, I was trying to access Henk Dijkstra's website. Unfortunately it
>was offline. Luckily, there were some archived copies in the WayBack
>machine <http://archive.org/web/web.php>. This is a site where, if you
>know the URL, you can search for snapshots take of websites. I was able to
>find the info that I needed on a recent snapshot of Dijkstra's website.
>Unfortunately, a website creator can request(?) prevent(?) his site from
>being copied. I found this out when I tried to find one of my bookmaked
>medical sites and it stated that the sites history was removed at the
>webmasters request. The other catch is that you need the URL to find a
>site.
>
>Thus, while not perfect, WayBack Machine may prove useful in the future,
>as long as big money supports it!  :-)
>
>
> >
> > Hi all, This is actually directed to the best webmasters on shells in the
> > world. Bill Frank, Marlo Krisberg and Eddy Hardy, Marion , Arne etc
> > etc.and all of you who work so hard on webpages. What happens later? After
> > accessing the fantastic web sites you all so painstakingly provide for our
> > knowledge, what happens when you croak, kick off, whatever light hearted
> > terms can be used to say leave our earthly planet. Will future generations
> > be bereft of your incredible knowledge. Will the websites stay in
> > cyberspace forever? Will my grandchildren be able to look at my notes that
> > say Jaxshells.org and look up something? Are you training acolytes?
> >  It would break my heart to think of your hard work dying with you and
> > yet, no one gets out of this world alive. I would like to think an
> > exception will be made in my own personal case, but doubt this will
> > occur.
> >  Carole
> >
>
>
>Regards,
>Charlie
>.................................................
>Charlie Sturm
>
>Treasurer
>American Malacological Society
>
>Research Associate - Section of Mollusks
>Carnegie Museum of Natural History
>Pittsburgh, PA, USA
>
>Associate Professor - Family Medicine
>Fellow-American Academy of Family Practice
>Fellow-Academy of Wilderness Medicine
>
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