[Taxacom] Systema Dipterorum = closed down

[Chris Thompson]

ALL:

Some minor clarifications need to be made:

First, the Schlinger Foundation has for years being the principal supporter 
of the online database of World Diptera names. For that we have and remain 
greatly appreciated and indebted, etc. Without their support there would 
never have been able to provide an online version of our database.

Unfortunately as many foundation and individuals know, the investment market 
declined last year, so for the first time in years endowments, IRA, 401Ks, 
etc., declined. And so there was least for all [yes, except the super rich 
1%] losses and that hurt our Systema Dipterorum, etc.

We do not know what the future will bring. We hope that it will be positive. 
We hope to find more support to fulfill our goal of providing for ALL free 
public access to documentation about Diptera Biodiversity, more than 10% of 
all of life on this earth.

Our resources remain non-existent, but we on our own are working on a new 
and greatly enhanced version of Systema Dipterorum, so watch for something 
different at www.diptera.org in the coming months.

Naturally, if you want to help, contributions to the S. W. Williston Diptera 
Research Fund of the Smithsonian Institution are always welcomed, etc. Just 
make your checks out to that fund and send them to me at my business 
address.

Sincerely,

Chris

Department of Entomology
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20012-7012 USA

-----Original Message----- 
From: Chris Thompson
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 10:05 PM
To: Roderic Page ; taxacom
Subject: [Taxacom] Systema Dipterorum = closed down

Whether any one care or not,

the Systema Dipterorum  (www.diptera.org) online database to names of flies
has been closed down.

This database which has had various names over the years as I have migrated
from different jobs but never really has been supported to provide
information about fly names is finally being retired as I have been kicked
out by Bob Robinson of Smithsonian of my last home after almost a half
century of what I thought was a useful and productive association.

However, this has a positive aspect. Clearly the Smithsonian has decided
Diptera names and associated information has no value to the public. Whether
that is true or not now can be determined. So, if you feel Systema
Dipterorum was useful, complain! The key players are Jon Coddington
(coddingtonj at si.edu) and Bob Robinson (robinsonb at si.edu).

Sincerely,

Chris

from home






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