How can I be sure that I am linking to a PDF file on a different website?
When I am building my Moodle course and I link to a URL with a PDF, on the Moodle page it appears as a PDF file, how can I be sure that it is a URL (an external website) and not a file that I am storing, for which I potentially infringe copyright?
Answer
The difference between a link to a PDF and a PDF file uploaded on Moodle is in the type or resources used. You would choose URL when you want to add a link, even if the link has a PDF file. If you want to upload a document you would choose the resource File.
In both cases the resource will display with a PDF icon but you can easily verify which you you have choose by going to the item settings. There you clearly see if the object is a URL or a file.
Moreover, the URL/link maintains the original link, whereas any uploaded document has a Moodle link that clearly states that what you are looking at is a file stored within Moodle itself:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/41389904.pdf
vs
https://moodle.johncabot.edu/pluginfile.php/379973/mod_resource/content/1/duffy2021.pdf