If it is an old or obscure document, you may be wasting your time on the Web. Consider the source of the document. Keep in mind that while a site may not have the actual document, you may be able to locate a good contact for obtaining the document. Try to determine when the site was last updated or how often the site is updated. Keep in mind that the site and the document could be gone tomorrow.
Most Web sites have no archival or retention policies.
Not everything on the Web is free. Getting Started A. Research Guides As with researching any unfamiliar topic, beginning with a research guide is a good starting point. B. How to keep up on new sites Many of these sites offer email subscriptions so you can receive updated information through email. Listservs are a good way to learn about new sites, especially lists related to international law. There is so much information on the Internet that you may need to use search engines to locate relevant information.