[Taxacom] globalnames?

[Richard Pyle]

> How many names? Ambiguous question! Do you mean how many 
> binomials, how many epithets, or how many nominal species???

Yes, that was *exactly* my point. (Not to mention the bane of my existence
-- at least in this sphere of my endeavors).

> >> Leaving this aside, authorship is emphatically not part of 
> the scientific name.
> >I don't think anybody disputes this
> I did! 

Sorry.  I should have said "Most people don't dispute this."

> as if it were a unit. What else are you going to call that 
> unit? ... the correct form of the name string???

GNI calls it "normalized".

> A good first step at harnessing information technology to 
> create the ultimate taxonomic database would be to get the 
> basics done FIRST - like a simple list of nominal species in 
> their original combinations, or a list of "currently accepted 
> species", Species2000 style, if that is well defined? Heck, 
> even some sort of structured comprehensive generic list would 
> be a great start!

That sure would be nice!  When do you think you could have it ready for us?
(I'll leave this one for Dave Remsen -- particualrly in terms of the AGI)

Rich