Web Development - Misc.

Never Delete a Webpage Revisited

In the tip "Never Delete a Webpage," I discussed why you should not completely remove a web address. In the tip, I stated that you need to create a referrer page where the old page used to go that pushes people back to a page of your choosing, keeping visitors away from 404 errors. If your web server is running on a UN*x machine, and you have shell access, there is a better way to create referrer pages.

The command "ln" creates a symbolic link from one file to another. This allows you to create a file "1.htm," and a link to that file called "home.htm." That way, when someone accesses "home.htm" they are brought to the file "1.htm."

Instead of creating referrer pages, create symbolic links. Use the parameter "-s" to the "ln" command to create what is called a soft link from one page to another. Don't worry too much about the technicalities; just know that this works.

For example, to create a link to the file "home.html" called "home.htm", enter in this command at the shell prompt:

ln -s home.htm home.html

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