Re: AIS: REF: AIS as International Registration Authority

John mentions some interesting thoughts that deserve more time than I have to develop. But here are a few quick thoughts.
 
John wrote the following questions.
How long do photos last?  Oh, you meant digital?
How many people have CD burners?
 
These have more to do with how one goes about archiving image information than whether or not the plan i have suggested is viable. If we are accepting that we would like to have images accompanying registration when possible and that dividing the task of storing these among the various sectional groups is more practical than laying on another job to the registrar, then we can begin to assess the techniques by which we go about it.
 
Presently we have no society wide concensus that this is the way to go. But I have done some research into all types of storage and find that every one has serious drawbacks unique to the type of media. I tend to believe that the harder problem will be getting images in the first place no matter what the format. For this reason I believe the collection of media should be in any and every form possible. How the archivists choose to store it is another matter. More importantly as and after it is being collected it should be utilized by printing articles in newsletters and illustrated checklists, websites, etc. 
 
To answer Johns question more specifically: Photos can be scanned and digitalized, Cd's produced on a home machine are believed to last on average as little as five years. The archivist does not need to recieve images on CD if they have access to a photo and slide scanner. Any professional archivist will tell you the longest lasting records are printed matter on acid proof paper. I frequent the Missouri Botanical Garden Library wher there are beautiful prints over 200 years old. It is certainly possible to produce an illustrated printed record that would last longer then any of us plan to be around. This passed on to the next generation allows them something to work with with their future technologies. But if the data is not collected now, it becomes more questionable in the future as to whether that new picture is of the plant it contends to be.
 
It is not necessary that the AIS and Specialty groups accept the plan I have proposed. I am sure that every group would put their own twist on it. But if you believe the idea of finding a way to gather images near the time of registration is worthwhile now would be a good time to comment. And maybe an overall concensus might bring something into being.

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