Re: AIS: 'Bored' and the Print Index

From: "Chris Hollinshead" <cris@netcom.ca>


> Walter Moores wrote:
clip-clip
>         What we want is a searchable database, not another hard copy.  We
> already have these, so I don't know why there is such hoopla and
> excitement for this new 'index.'  Somebody please bring me up-to-date on
this printed
> index and tell me why I am supposed to do handsprings all around the room
> over this announcement.

Chris comments:
The observation above is right on the money, so to speak.
What is going on here??  The iris Registrations and Introductions (R and I)
already exist in printed form, albeit as printed volumes.
The sole point of this project was to make the R and I data available
electronically either over the Internet/web or as a purchasable electronic
database... not so we can produce some sort of limited edition printed
version issued in a ridiculous quantity. The only value, which is somewhat
debatable, is that all the registration information is compiled into one
printed report instead of several printed volumes. Indeed, I am not going to
debate this point here as it is simply irrelevant to the intent of this
project.

The benefit of the R and I being available over the web is that it would not
be proprietary to any operating system platform and access could easily be
restricted to those that purchase the right to access. Updates and
corrections would be easy to maintain, always providing the most up to date
information. Either AIS membership or specific R and I access alone, or a
combination of both... This type of access would protect the database from
unauthorized reproduction but has the drawback of requiring web access and
online time for usage. A secured area for downloading of the current version
could also be an option.
A few questions to be answered... but TIMELY solutions are available.
What's happening now with printed copies is totally off the mark from what
is needed/wanted or intended.

Here is part of what was stated in the original posting:

Hal Stahly read & distributed Howard Hughes report on the Electronic R & I
Project. He stated the Goal : To provide the AIS membership with an
electronic version of the R & I checklists.

The project will be completed in two phases. He stated the phases and the
status of each phase, his observations, and recommendations.

I know many AIS members have been anxiously awaiting the completion of this
project. But much work has gone into the AIS IRIS CHECK LIST of Registered
Cultivar Names books. This information is copyrighted, thus the transfer to
an electronic version had to  be a slow process. Hopefully all aspects will
be covered.

Chris further comments and closes:
The accurate observation is made above that the slow and hard part (the data
entry) is done... NO way making it available should take a process of a year
or more!!!

Christopher Hollinshead
Mississauga, Ontario  Canada  zone6b
AIS(Region 16), CIS, SSI
Director-Canadian Iris Society
Newsletter Editor-Canadian Iris Society
e-mail:  cris@netcom.ca <c*@netcom.ca>
CIS website:  http://www.netcom.ca/~cris/CIS.html




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