Katydid CD ROM

[Robin Leech]

I see no functional difference between a published book and a CD-ROM.  Once
each is published, it cannot be changed, though I suppose one could pencil
or pen comments into the margins of a book.  I know that I do, especially
for interesting distribution records.
Updates can be had either by an addendum of the book (as B.J. Kaston did for
the Spiders of Connecticut) or by a second CD.
Unless each update missive that is sent out on the Internet contains all of
the post-CD-ROM information each time (in other words, one should not have
to go back to look up Update I, Update II, etc.), even the updates will be
of little value to the beginner or amateur.
Robin Leech

----- Original Message -----
From: Hugh Wilson <h-wilson at TAMU.EDU>
To: <TAXACOM at USOBI.ORG>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 2:29 PM
Subject: Katydid CD ROM


> Since professional societies are the logical source of firm
> (reviewed) scientific data products, the various issues involved with
> this thread are relevant to many 'communities'.
>
> It seems to me that the fundamental problem relates to a simple fact
> - if it can be put on a CD, it can be put on the web.  If it is put
> on a CD it is fixed (obsolete at placement) and access is limited.
> If it is put on the web it can be curated, current, and open for
> public access.  The difference is, in my view, a *very* big deal.
>
> If you are doing Science, why put it on CD?  If you are looking for
> returns on investment, why put it on the web?  These conflicting
> options pose a problem for both individual scientists and
> professional societies or other working groups operating with public
> funding, 'non-profit' constraints, or mission statements that focus
> on the discipline or Science in general.
>
> I have no solutions to offer but suggest that the 'Bill Gates'
> analogy is probably applicable and relevant to professional societies
> with a web presence and an inclination to pool member-generated data
> at a society-based website.  However, as indicated by MS browser
> software, its not 'sell cheap'; its more like 'give it to them free
> of charge'.  The approach seems to be working well for various info
> providers on the web (CNN, Weather Channel, etc.).  If professional
> societies or working scientific groups can provide useful information
> on the web for open public access, it will be *used*, and home sites
> providing access to the data will be visited by many.  Given the
> nature of web economics right now, this usage could (should) be used
> by professional societies as leverage to harvest community returns
> for community investment.  If professional societies were active in
> this area, the potential for returns to those providing the
> information, or at least the discipline, are high.  This is not the
> case for web info nodes controlled by institutions, agencies, or
> individuals that do not have direct contact with data contributors.
>
> So, I agree with Mary that "there is a potential here" that
> professional societies should *make* time to explore.
>
> Hugh D. Wilson
> Texas A&M University - Biology
> h-wilson at tamu.edu (409-845-3354)
> http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/Wilson/homepage.html
>