Yes, I think many now recognize that the original idea of a stark contrast between URLs and URNs doesn't fit the fuzzy reality. (RFC3986's "URI, URL, and URN" s

Yes, I think many now recognize that the original idea of a stark contrast between URLs and URNs doesn't fit the fuzzy reality. (RFC3986's "URI, URL, and URN" section, https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3986#section-1.1.3 https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3986#section-1.1.3, acknowledges this point.) My interpretation is: there's quite a few de-facto URNs in use, just without the official label "urn:" or namespace registration, which in practice has turned out to be an unnecessary formality. (Thanks for the note regarding memesteading.com; mapping updated to work now.) I'm no longer regularly doing anything for the Internet Archive, but can definitely help make contact! If you're in the bay area, a good way to start learning more about its projects (or show off your own) is to attend the open-house lunches, held most Fridays. (You should just shoot them a note or call before showing up, so they know the expected attendance, or warn you if it's one of the occasional days that it's not held.)