[Taxacom] Systema Dipterorum = closed

[Chris Thompson]

Yes, Jeff,

The Systema Dipterorum is down and will remain so. Apparently a database of 
fly names, despite the fact that flies represents more than 10% of the 
World's biodiversity and are a critical component of many human 
interactions, etc., is irrelevant to the powers to be at the Smithsonian 
(increase and diffusion of Knowledge, but not about flies!)

The Smithsonian has refused to renew my association* with them and I am now 
forced to leave. So ...

They, mainly, Jon Coddington (coddingtonj at si.edu) and Bob Robbins 
(robbinsb at si.edu) feel I serve no useful purpose.

So, you should complain to them,

Sincerely,

Chris

from home

*Once, back in 1996, I put up some example species pages online at the 
Smithsonian and also an example of digitalized literature, from which 
eventually arose the Encyclopedia of Life (via the All-Species foundation) 
and the Biodiversity of Heritage Library programs. But today "old dogs" are 
an embarrassment to current administration.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Jeff Skevington
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 8:24 PM
To: Chris Thompson
Subject: Systema Dipterorum

Hi Chris,

What is up with the Nomenclator? We used it all day but now it is
down, apparently for good. I have been getting messages asking what is
up. The community has come to depend on this.

Jeff

-- 
Jeff Skevington, Research Scientist
Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
960 Carling Avenue, K.W. Neatby Building
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6, Canada
Phone: 613-759-1647
FAX: 613-759-1927
E-mail: jhskevington at gmail.com or jeffrey.skevington at agr.gc.ca