Every time I find a great link for information from the NMSS, they move it to some other location and the link doesn't work a few months later. What's with that?

I know some of you are connected to the NMSS, and wonder if you have (or can get an answer) on why they do this? How are we to keep people informed if they move the links all the time . . . unless we post the WHOLE article (and link) on the forums?

Cherie

I agree 100%. I had one bookmarked because I liked to add it in some newbie posts and all the sudden...gone!

I think you should point this out to NMSS because it hurts the population they are serving.

I have this issue with state or federal websites I use for education when a new administration comes in. If it ain't broken don't fix it

Well, since I am a Representative for the NMSS, I will take it up with them. We are having a meeting next week and I will ask...

I know that the website just underwent a huge revamping.

Cherie, could you PM me with some specifics?

Cheryl, you amaze me. You are so active in so many issues related to MS. Thank you!

Thanks Cheryl . . . done.

MOST links disappear in short order, at least the one's I seem to interested in.

Cherie

Yes, it would be great to have this concern brought up. Those who redo the website may not have any idea of the discouragement it causes. I know, there are times with ms, when it's just all we can do to type our concern and pray for some help. Then to have some of your great folks to give us the exact link to click on (which can be of great effort for you) then to try to go to it and it no longer be available. Not to whine, but I can say firsthand that by then, I'm too discouraged and exhausted to even persue it any longer (at times). So, Cheryl, thank you so much for asking about it. And thank you to those of you, Cherie and others, who take the time to share your expertise.

They do it because its fun to watch those with Cog Fog wander the hallways wondering where everyone went to.

Hire the handicapped, their fun to watch.

Hi Cherie,
I manage a few large corporate websites so, if they're at all similar in their approach, a very good way to get your feedback to them is here:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ContactUs.aspx (there's a specific category for website concerns)

Links deeper within sites (especially informational content, not transactional) do change over time...
Sometimes its part of an overall strategy to keep a site fresh and current.
But it's also used to dissuade perpetuation of info that's outdated or no longer being promoted by the site sponsors.
OR (and this happens a lot) the pages being linked to are no longer in production at their source (through no fault of the NMSS because they can't control/ensure content on other sites) so, the links have to be removed.

Even if a link is still active, a good reason to test a link before sharing it is to determine whether or not the content has been modified. You might not always be sharing the info you thought you were sharing. I says this because it's burned me in the past. (long story involving a pretty tame book review that evolved into something else... wasn't pretty LOL)

Anyway, hopefully you'll get a response from them, this is just what I've picked up about big websites over the years.

Cherie

I received a reply from the web manager at NMSS today regarding your question.

It's a two part reply as with anything it's not a simple question to answer.

I posed the question about broken links and sent the examples you gave me. Part of the problem is that a couple of the articles are on a server that the NMSS no longer has access to. They have changed providers twice since at least one of those articles was written.

They are in the process of upgrading again and the suggestion of adding a redirect for articles and information that is moved or archived has been added to the list of items they want from the new provider. It was a good idea.

In the meantime, they have upgraded and enhanced their search feature on their site which should improve the current capabilities to search for information.

However, that does not help with information that you currently have that is older links. The suggestion was to update your links about every 3 months or so. Or just make sure that if you provide information to advise that person that the exact link may be out of date and just direct them the to Home Page and to use the search feature with the subject.

I said I would find out for you and I did. The person I need to speak to was on vacation and got back to me as soon as possible.