WWW versus CDROM

[christian thompson]

Hugh Wilson wrote:

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.

AGREED, but ...   I am a systematist, stuck with rules of nomenclature that require that certain DATA must be published in a "FIXED," permanent editions, etc. So, one feature of the Diptera Data Dissemination Disk is to annually archive the information that we post at our Diptera WWW site (http:\\sel.barc.usda.gov\Diptera, etc.). This way we can cite an "publication" which meets the requirements of our nomenclatural codes.

The other problem with the WWW is probably temporal, but today band width and accessibility to the WWW is limited for many, especially in the 3rd World. Yet CDROM drives on PC are now common.  Hence, if some one in central Africa is doing Katydid research, they will be happier having Piotr's CD than having to wait on downloads of those 7000 images.

Hence, I believe BOTH methods should be used by systematics.


F. Christian Thompson
Systematic Entomology Lab., USDA
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D. C. 20560
(202) 382-1800 voice
(202) 786-9422 FAX
cthompso at sel.barc.usda.gov