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I was just idling in the Documentation chat channel and based on what I was seeing there, it appears links to sources are discouraged on StackOverflow documenta
by lstamour 10y ago
I was just idling in the Documentation chat channel and based on what I was seeing there, it appears links to sources are discouraged on StackOverflow documentation. Presumably, they're aiming to eventually host new content that's better than what's already out there. I think it's a bit silly -- at least make a Sources section where folks can click to view links to existing docs!
- recursive 10y agoEveryone knows that cool urls don't change, but the problem with links is that not all urls are cool urls. Links rot over time.
- theli0nheart 10y agoSo the answer is to not use links at all?
- voxic11 10y agoSometimes it's better to pass by value, sometimes it's better to pass by reference.
- sanbor 10y agoPut the content AND the link, instead of just the link. This way, if the link changes the info will stay in SO.
- true_religion 10y agoWouldn't that be a copyright violation?
- slavik81 10y agoLike in any other writing, a short quote is fine. If it's long, then you may have to summarize the content in your own words.
- avindroth 10y agoBut that violates DRY principle tho
- unethical_ban 10y agoZero percent chance of valid source is worse than some percent chance.
- acjohnson55 10y agoFortunately, as I said earlier, anyone can edit. We should definitely make links, they greatly increase the utility of a post. If they rot, it just takes one person to make the fix.
- foota 10y agoI think the advice is that if you link a url you should include the meat of the link in your post to ward against link rot.
- Shog9 10y agoDonno who told you that, but have it straight from the project lead: > it's fine to link to external sources, but the same basic "content should stand on it's own"-guidelines apply (so no link-only examples and the like) - http://chat.stackoverflow.com/transcript/117558?m=31845619#31845619 http://chat.stackoverflow.com/transcript/117558?m=31845619#3... Which is pretty standard advice on Stack Overflow; we spend an awful lot of time cleaning up broken links that were probably pretty useful at one time, but... Disclaimer: I work for Stack Overflow and also really hate broken links.