Cool URIs Don't Change (1998)
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
URIs should remain stable; changing them breaks links and erodes user trust.
Tim Berners-Lee argues that webmasters should design URIs to last decades, not months. Common causes of URI changes include reorganizations, moving files, or exposing software details (e.g., 'cgi-bin', '.pl'). He advises leaving out author names, subject terms, status, file extensions, and software mechanisms from URIs. Instead, use a creation date prefix and a persistent identifier. He notes that redirects and content negotiation can help maintain stability, but the core principle is upfront design: choose URIs so they remain valid through redesigns, personnel changes, and technological shifts.
What commenters are saying
Commenters largely agree with the principle but note it has been partially mitigated by 301 redirects and CMS features like WordPress's slug handling. However, redirects often vanish after multiple reorganizations or acquisitions, as multiple users report. Several commenters share examples of uncool URLs: Microsoft's broken support links, dead QR codes on products, and news sites that scrub URLs during redesigns. One camp argues that financial incentives to maintain old URLs are weak, while others recommend append-only static site generation or local copies as practical solutions.