Digital Resource Lifespan
Digital Resource Lifespan
My access to resources on [SUBJECT] over time:
[Below, a timeline and a graph with gray bars is shown:]
[1980s-past 2020:] Book on subject
[Early 2000s-past 2020:] [SUBJECT].pdf
[2000-2010:] [SUBJECT] web database Site goes down, backend data not on archive.org [Small bar, 2000-2016/17:] Java frontend no longer runs
[2010-2015/16:] [SUBJECT] mobile app (Local university project) Broken on new OS, not updated
[2000-2010:] [SUBJECT] analysis software Broken on new OS, not updated
[Late 1990s-late 2000s:] Interactive [SUBJECT] CD-ROM CD scratched; new computer has no CD drive anyway.
[1980s-past 2020:] Library microfilm [SUBJECT] collection
[Caption below the panel:] It's unsettling to realize how quickly digital resources can disappear without ongoing work to maintain them.

In this chart, Randall laments the tendency of digital resources to quickly become obsolete or non-functional.  By taking a general subject, such as xkcd's core subjects of "romance, sarcasm, math, and language", one can see that a useful tool such as a smartphone or computer app or interactive CD-ROM (essentially, software) does not have the lasting power of printed books (e.g. textbooks, for many general subjects) and microfilm/microfiche.  The printed resources, not having to rely on a computerized platform for use, are far more reliable despite being less mobile and taking up physical space. The only digital source which is still working is Portable Document Format (aka PDF) which encapsulates fixed layout flat documents, and is supported for years already by Adobe Systems and is part of ISO standards, so has a widespread support, and should be still viewable in foreseeable future.
The title text makes a statement that libraries do not require the support of original authors/experts to organize and store vast resources for any subject imaginable.  This is true, but omits the fact that ongoing efforts are required by experts in information organization and storage -- namely, librarians.  Physical books and microfilm/microfiche need controlled storage environments, manual handling for storage, retrieval, distribution (in library terms, "circulation"), and the like.  Thus, a library can require significant resources in personnel and facilities, but is usually seen as a "public good" for the benefit of society; thus, many communities and educational institutions invest in creating and maintaining a library despite the costs.
Archive.org refers to The Internet Archive , a non-profit organization that maintains the Wayback Machine , one of the largest archives of the World Wide Web . When a website is taken offline, copies of its content can often be found backed-up on the Wayback Machine. The Wayback Machine is primarily designed to back up websites , however, and will often not be able to save information stored in a site's databases , as alluded to in the comic. The Internet Archive has a part for non-website archives, but it cannot hold recent databases either due to copyright problems.
My access to resources on [SUBJECT] over time:
[Below, a timeline and a graph with gray bars is shown:]
[1980s-past 2020:] Book on subject
[Early 2000s-past 2020:] [SUBJECT].pdf
[2000-2010:] [SUBJECT] web database Site goes down, backend data not on archive.org [Small bar, 2000-2016/17:] Java frontend no longer runs
[2010-2015/16:] [SUBJECT] mobile app (Local university project) Broken on new OS, not updated
[2000-2010:] [SUBJECT] analysis software Broken on new OS, not updated
[Late 1990s-late 2000s:] Interactive [SUBJECT] CD-ROM CD scratched; new computer has no CD drive anyway.
[1980s-past 2020:] Library microfilm [SUBJECT] collection
[Caption below the panel:] It's unsettling to realize how quickly digital resources can disappear without ongoing work to maintain them.
