[Taxacom] FW: Wikipedia classification

Thu Jul 2 06:27:09 CDT 2009

The only evidence that this is likely to be the case is from our friends
at Google and the rankings I see when names of fungi are searched for.
Having said that, traffic has certainly risen, especially from 'overt
aggregators' (GBIF, CoL etc) and probably others.

It is an indication of value, but it's somewhat frustrating that the
source of these data is ranked below the 'covert aggregators' [I use
this phrase for those who have harvested content without first seeking
permission or exploring more efficient delivery mechanisms than server
hammering]. Perhaps I'm not being realistic ... perhaps the world would
be a better place if everyone and his dog started building their very
own Encyclopedia of Life ... ;-)

Some aggregators link without a prompt ... others need a prompt to do
so.

Regards,

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: Roderic Page [mailto:r.page at bio.gla.ac.uk] 
Sent: 02 July 2009 11:01
To: Paul Kirk
Cc: dipteryx at freeler.nl; taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
Subject: Re: [Taxacom] FW: Wikipedia classification

Dear Paul,

Can you demonstrate that 'covert aggregators' are taking traffic from
you (as opposed to being an additional source of traffic)? And, isn't
"link love" an indication that your resource is valued? Are you
suggesting aggregators don't link to you?

Regards

Rod

On 2 Jul 2009, at 09:16, Paul Kirk wrote:

> Just a quick point on the last paragraph ...
>
> There is nothing like a new product to attract customers - ask anyone 
> in the real world. And in the case of the 'covert aggregators' (e.g.
> ZipCodeZoo, amongst others), who may add a link to the source web site

> ... thanks ... but ... taking traffic from the source has a detrimetal

> effect on the profile of the source and thus the justification for 
> maintaining it.
>
> Paul
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of 
> dipteryx at freeler.nl
> Sent: 02 July 2009 09:07
> To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> Subject: [Taxacom] FW: Wikipedia classification
>
> Van: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu namens Bob Mesibov
> Verzonden: do 2-7-2009 8:20
>
> It sounds like there's agreement in this discussion and Rod Page's 
> blog that Wikipedia/Wikispecies is emerging as a very useful taxonomic

> resource, that it's getting better, and that it has structural and 
> administrative problems - top among these being rigidity of format and

> variable quality of expertise.
>
> ***
> It may sound like that, but it is not the case. Wikipedia/Wikispecies 
> may be moderately useful for popular groups and for newly published 
> matters, but so far its problems are bigger than its merits. The 
> database mentality is very strong in (English) Wikipedia and 
> ZipcodeZoo; accuracy and realism are rare enough (although it is a lot

> better once one gets away from the English Wikipedia, which is why 
> there is more hope for Wikispecies).
>
> In the mean time professional sites are growing at a very respectable 
> rate; I am always pleasantly surprised when I visit the USDA-sites, 
> and the Angiosperm Phylogeny Website keeps improving (almost 
> justifying the awe in which it is widely held on the www).
> * * *
>
> We get back to a question raised in earlier TAXACOM discussions: who 
> will use which online resources, and for what purposes?
>
> I don't think this question has been asked often enough by the top- 
> down compilers/developers of online biodiversity resources. Many 
> people seem to think that information is information, and that the 
> more you put up on the Web, and the more different ways the 
> information can be shared and linked, the better.
>
> ***
> This often results in a database-orientation, copying data 
> helter-skelter and let-the-devil-catch-the-reader (that is, copying 
> good data from a good database and converting it to create a flawed, 
> or misleading, 'new' entry).
>
> Paul
> _______________________________________________
>
> Taxacom Mailing List
> Taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> http://mailman.nhm.ku.edu/mailman/listinfo/taxacom
>
> The Taxacom archive going back to 1992 may be searched with either of 
> these methods:
>
> (1) http://taxacom.markmail.org
>
> Or (2) a Google search specified as:
> site:mailman.nhm.ku.edu/pipermail/taxacom  your search terms here
>
> Find out about CABI's global summit on 'Food security in a climate of 
> change' at www.cabiglobalsummit.com
> 19 - 21 October 2009, London, UK.
>
> **********************************************************************
> ** The information contained in this e-mail and any files transmitted 
> with it is confidential and is for the exclusive use of the intended 
> recipient. If you are not the intended recipient please note that any 
> distribution, copying or use of this communication or the information 
> in it is prohibited.
>
> Whilst CAB International trading as CABI takes steps to prevent the 
> transmission of viruses via e-mail, we cannot guarantee that any e- 
> mail or attachment is free from computer viruses and you are strongly 
> advised to undertake your own anti-virus precautions.
>
> If you have received this communication in error, please notify us by 
> e-mail at cabi at cabi.org or by telephone on +44 (0)1491 829199 and then

> delete the e-mail and any copies of it.
>
> CABI is an International Organization recognised by the UK Government 
> under Statutory Instrument 1982 No. 1071.
>
> **********************************************************************
> ****
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Taxacom Mailing List
> Taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> http://mailman.nhm.ku.edu/mailman/listinfo/taxacom
>
> The Taxacom archive going back to 1992 may be searched with either of 
> these methods:
>
> (1) http://taxacom.markmail.org
>
> Or (2) a Google search specified as:  site:mailman.nhm.ku.edu/ 
> pipermail/taxacom  your search terms here
>

---------------------------------------------------------
Roderic Page
Professor of Taxonomy
DEEB, FBLS
Graham Kerr Building
University of Glasgow
Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK

Email: r.page at bio.gla.ac.uk
Tel: +44 141 330 4778
Fax: +44 141 330 2792
AIM: rodpage1962 at aim.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1112517192
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rdmpage
Blog: http://iphylo.blogspot.com
Home page: http://taxonomy.zoology.gla.ac.uk/rod/rod.html