What does the DOI do as a new kind of hyperlink?
As a hyperlink, the DOI is “The Next-Generation URL” — surpassing today’s URL in functionality although it is backward-compatible with today’s URL (so users don’t need anything to use it beyond their current browser). It surpasses today’s URL in several respects: 1. Instead of being just a single link to a single page on the Web, the DOI can display a menu taking the user to ALL places on the Web that the publisher wants the user to reach: additional info about the book, where to buy the book, all other books from that publisher on the same subject or by the same author, etc. 2. Whereas a URL link “breaks” whenever the destination page is moved, taken down or reorganized because of a website redesign, the DOI can be re-pointed via a central routing record so that it points to the new, correct location. For this reason, DOI links never “break” as long as the publisher or Bowker keeps the central routing record up to date. 3. For this same reason, a DOI link always displays the most cur
