17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a computer-readable code that when read by a computer causes the computer to perform a method for supporting links within a document containing text, the method comprising: identifying representations embedded within a word processor document of links to sources external to the word processor document, the word processor document produced using a word processor program running on a computing system and configured to create, edit and display both text and hyperlinks within the word processor document; appending the word processor document to include initial content representations comprising all content of each external source; identifying a current validity status automatically for each identified link representation during creation of the word processor document, at an initial time of publication of the word processing document and at a later time after initial publication, the validity status comprising accuracy of the link representation, functionality of the link representation, accessibility of the external sources and content of the external sources; expressing the identified current validity status of one or more of the identified link representations using aspects of the document other than the identified link representations; and providing notification to an author and readers of the word processor document of the current validity status.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the step of expressing the current validity status further comprises modifying, in accordance with at least one current validity status, a graphical representation of a file name associated with the word processor document or an appearance of a file folder containing the file name of the word processor document.