Data sharing

[Walter Berendsohn]

Hugh Wilson wrote:

> next step could involve setting up each local DBMS as a web node
> with each node responding to a query to the 'merged', 'shared' or
> 'distributed' data.  This sounds good but it will not work - at
> least it has not worked and its not likely to work given current 'on
> the ground' realities.  Or, maybe all contributors could send their

I think this is clearly wrong. For example, the collaboration between the
BioCISE and the BIODIV projects in Europe
http://www.bgbm.fu-berlin.de/biocise/TheProject/IntroCollab.htm
shows how a simple coupling of databases works. There are numerous other
examples with varying degrees of complexity (see for example the CORBA
solutions
in the molecular community, the proposed structures for the Plant Names
Project, and the use of Z39.50 in the library community).

I don't think this is a philosophical question, however. In some cases a
procedure as followed for the ASPT records may work well and thus be
appropriate.

Walter Berendsohn
WWW: http://www.bgbm.fu-berlin.de/bgbm/staff/wiss/berendsohn+w+g/


                          Walter G. Berendsohn
       Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem (B)                  A
          Koenigin-Luise-Str. 6-8, D-14191 Berlin, Germany