Image Banks

[John D. Oswald]

Taxacomers,

   The Department of Entomology at Texas AM University will soon be
developing a local "image bank" to support a variety of web-based projects
currently on-line and under development by various faculty and staff. We
wish to
develop a locally centralized "image bank" within the department that will
include the image files themselves, and data associated with the images
(e.g., content, credits, etc.). We would like to initiate contact with
individuals who have experience developing similar "image banks", and who
would be willing to share with us some of the solutions and pitfalls that
they have encountered. Some of the issues of interest to us include: (1)
the efficient storage and organization of image files, (2) the types of
"associated" data that "should" be collected and how this data is best
organized and linked to the image files. We would welcome the opportunity
to examine different database
designs that cover this subject area. We realize, of course, that the
possible solutions range from "very simple" to "as complex as you care to
make it". Because of this, before implementing our solution, we would like
to make contact with individuals who have working systems in place to get a
feel for what is most needed, and what the extras are.

    If you can help us out (thereby getting the opportunity to plug your own
personal/institutional solution by extolling its advantages to us!), we
would be glad to hear from you.

Thank you,

John D. Oswald
Assistant Professor and Curator TAMUIC
Department of Entomology
Texas AM University