Web Caching
A cache on a computer is a temporary storage area for frequently accessed data, so that it can be accessed more efficiently. A common form of caching is web caching where either html pages or documents are temporarily stored so that a frequently accessed page or document can be displayed more quickly & efficiently. If a webpage or document is cached, (when the users wished to access the page or document again), the computer checks the cache. If the version in the cache matches the version online, the version in the cache is displayed instead. If the live version has been updated, then a new copy is downloaded into the cache. By caching a document, either on the PC directly or on the server in the proxy cache, it reduces traffic on the network and the workload for the server. It can also makes it quicker to access webpages and documents.
Web caching for speed and efficiency generally happens automatically and is not considered a copyright infringement under the Copyright Act. If a webpage or document was actively cached then this would be subject to copyright and certain conditions and restrictions would apply.
However, webpages and documents can be actively cached for educational purposes. This is useful if lecturers want their students to access a particular page or document and for that page or document to remain static over time, or if large numbers of students are going to be accessing the same webpage or document. If material is actively cached for educational purposes then access to that material must be password protected and must only be available during the course. Once the course has finished, the material must be removed from the cache.