In print, these links are subtle, their meaning implicit, their navigation ambiguous. Electronically, the link is explicitly signified, visually flagged . A blue box around an element and blue underlined text supply the element with another level of meaning, adding a sense of self awareness to it. Printed newspapers are able to inform the reader of their state in other ways. Smudged ink, tears, dog-eared corners all imply a sense of wear.
Electronic links signify wear or having been followed by changing colour.
Movement of the cursor to the link makes the reader aware of it's address, signalling a destination, supplying information about the link.