[131] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
A suggestion
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Kate Ellis)
Thu Apr 30 10:04:06 1992
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1992 08:59:51 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
From: "Kate Ellis" <KATE%HARVARDA.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I am sending this message to PACS-L and LIBREF-L
I have a suggestion I want to float out to the lists I read.
It seems to me that the time has come for some body
of individuals to load a library catalog-style database, available
on the internet, of internet resources.
Now I'm aware of lots of internet finding guides (such as
the IRG made available at pac.carl.org), and of the work
being done to develop a MARC format to describe
internet resources, and I'm sure there's lots of stuff of which
I'm not aware. It seems to me that these pieces could be
put together to create a MARC database of records describing
telnet sites, ftp sites, etc. Alot of people put alot of
effort into providing the currently available resources, and
that effort is ongoing. My question: could these people get
together, get a machine, get an IP address, get library
catalog software (or something), 'catalog' what they
have, provide (and maintain, I know) indices for the
database (subject, type of resources, etc), and set up a
mechanism for cataloging future entries?
Among the advantages I see to doing this would be: improving the
kind of searching one could do for internet resources, removing
duplication of effort in maintaining lists with difference functions. I see
alot of people spend alot of time maintaining lists of resources
for their particular subject - wouldn't it be great to search
a database with subject descriptors?
Of course, a central problem with the suggestion is who?
I'm not trying to be naiive, I know that there is no
obvious appropriate body who would be responsible for the
maintenance that such a project would entail. It seems to me
that the answer lies in volunteer effort. I see lots of
volunteer effort in my travels on the internet, so I thought
I'd try this out.
Does anyone have any interest in this idea, any other suggestions
that would help it along, etc., or is this a goofy, unnecessary idea?
Kate Ellis
kate at harvarda.harvard.edu
Systems Librarian
Harvard University Library
(617) 495-3724
