Welcome to the DTIC Handle Service.

Is the information you need here today and gone tomorrow? Are you tired of getting “Error 404” messages? DTIC^® has a solution.

DTIC’s Handle Service assigns persistent identifiers called “handles” to electronic resources, and stores them in its Handle Service. The current location (or URL) where the resource can be found is stored with each handle. When the location changes (i.e., the URL), the handle record is updated to reflect this change, and there is no broken link. DTIC’s Handle Service facilitates the preservation and long term access to electronic resources, ensuring their availability over time.

Handles are assigned to all DTIC's online DoD resources -- the Scientific and Technical Information Network (STINET) and Private STINET systems. These are stored in central directories users can search to instantly retrieve needed information. To see handles in action, visit the Handle Search page to query the collection. Read through the Handle FAQs to learn all the facts, and read about how DTIC will partner with interested DoD organizations to create handles for their resources and take advantage of the opportunity to preserve their published works. Visit Related Links for articles about DTIC’s Handle Service and link to other organizations that use handles. See The Handle System Web site for an explanation on the technology underlying DTIC’s Handle Service. DTIC’s Handle Service will play a vital role in preservation of DoD's Internet-accessible resources.

Please use our Comment form for any questions as well as suggestions on how we can improve the DTIC Handle Service.

October 2004
handle@dtic.mil