Fwd: Re: PhyloCode prefix/suffix?
Philip Cantino
cantino at OHIOU.EDU
Wed Oct 25 08:26:16 CDT 2000
Rich Pyle wrote:
>
>Smiley notwithstanding, I think there really is a point worth considering
>seriously here. If a symbol is the way to go, some real thought needs to be
>put into what that symbol is - especially from an informatics perspective.
>I like the "!" alternative, but that also has a special meaning in computer
>programming. Also, as Curtis mentioned, some consideration should be given
>to a symbol easily rendered in ASCII (ruling out my earlier suggestion of a
>subscript). However, I still tend to prefer a suffix, rather than a prefix,
>for the reason I mentioned before, and also for the reasons mentioned by Cam
>Webb.
>
I like the ! symbol too. Is it a serious problem that this is also
used in computer programming?
>It seems that some of the strongest opponents of PhyloCode would have
>reduced objections if the "PhyloZone" boundary was unambiguously defined in
>all cases, and a good way to achieve this would be through the use of a
>"permanent", "hardwired" qualifier of sorts that is always transcribed with
>the name. Perhaps the PhyloCode advisory group might reconsider, in the
>interest of gaining wider acceptance among the taxonomic community as a
>whole?
>
I can bring it up again to the advisory group. Nothing in the draft
PhyloCode is written in stone; there will certainly be changes before
it is implemented. A major reason for posting a draft several years
before it is ready to implement was to provide an opportunity for
input from the systematics community. I would certainly hope that
the comments received will be taken seriously.
The problem I will have in bringing this issue up again is that I
argued so vehemently for a mandatory symbol at the workshop that
began the PhyloCode project that everyone knows I feel strongly about
it. Some may therefore not take seriously my assertion that people
outside the advisory group support my view. Nonetheless, it is worth
a try. As I recall, the initial vote on this issue was close, and
perhaps some minds can be changed.
Phil
Philip D. Cantino
Professor and Chair
Department of Environmental and Plant Biology
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701-2979
U.S.A.
Phone: (740) 593-1128; 593-1126
Fax: (740) 593-1130
e-mail: cantino at ohio.edu
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