WorldCat.org URLs updated to include titles
Now it's even easier to guess a WorldCat link, because the title of the work is now included in the URL. This change makes WorldCat.org URLs more intuitive, mashable and search engine-friendly. For example, the previous permalink URL for Catcher in the Rye by J.S. Salinger was http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/287628. Now, the permalink URL will be http://www.worldcat.org/title/catcher-in-the-rye/oclc/287628. Title-only URLs, i.e., http://www.worldcat.org/title/catcher-in-the-rye will also work.
If you've already set up links to your favorite WorldCat.org resources, never fear. All those links will also continue to work.
On March 15, 2010 at 1:03 PM John said:
The example you cite shows that using just the title actually does a worldcat title search. It doesn't point to a specific record. So it's not functionally equivalent.
Are the old URLs now deprecated? Will they cease to work?
To be honest, I can see how the new form is nice for mashing up a search without knowing the oclc number, but it's worse for those times when you do, because it includes both the title and the number.
In fact, what's the point of this second form with both the title AND the oclc number? If you know the latter, why include the former?
Really, the system ignores the title anyway. Try this:
http://www.worldcat.org/title/for-whom-the-bell-tolls/oclc/287628
On March 15, 2010 at 3:16 PM Alice Sneary
said:
Thanks for your insightful comment, John. The old URLs are NOT deprecated. They will still continue to work as usual. Your For Whom The Bell Tolls example shows that if a string/URL includes the OCLC number, it will override any text that might appear to be a title. This is correct--the OCLC number trumps the title text. So if you know the OCLC number, use it in your mashup. If you don't, now you have additional options--especially if you're looking for something on the fly.
And yes, the title-only URL is designed to return a listing of possible matches, since often there are multiple formats/slight variations on a title.
On March 20, 2010 at 9:25 PM Agnideb Mishra said:
Hi Alice,
I really appreciate your replying to John's comment as it answered my question too. Before I read your comment I too was worried that the old URLs would be deprecated. I am glad that it is not the case. Thanks again. :)