----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Tony,
 
          i didn't realize you were aware of my project when you
          proposed the MAPHIST one, sorry.
 
           the homepage will be largely self-managed (a pretty naieve
          but important aspect). given the enabling software,
           historical cartography will be a function of inputs; if we
          put in a lot, that how much we'll have when we go to
          harvest. i hope there'll be alot.
 
          to understand our proposal, it helps if i explain the
          "participatory" software, Infomine. each map librarian acts
          as an agent to supply url's directly to a template that
          organizes the input, sends it to a moderator, then registers
          it in the database. the same software then acts as a search
          engine to retrieve any/all url's requested.  "deposits" and
          "withdrawls" will use the same look-up nomenclature, but it
          also does free search.
 
          where we might have a difference of opinion is at the
          conceptual level--it's much like assembling a car using
          off-the-shelf components: will the finished product be
          servicable and have universal appeal? i hope so.
 
           there will be as many modules as we
          want--in that sense, every LCSH is a "module" just as on
          your OPAC's enhanced "subjects." we'll all have to look at
          issues like spelling/foreign equivalents (just two of many
          look-up tables?).
 
 
          one feature i hope to inbed will be direct links to the
          archives of on line utilities like MAPHIST, so you can
          choose whether to receive or retrieve from any/all via
          point-and-click.
 
          i'm starting on the homepage design monday. i'll keep you
          posted on further progress.
 
          LC
 
 
Larry Cruse (open letter)
 
Larry,
 
Thank you for your response to my proposal.  I was aware of the
Western Association of Map Libraries (WAML) scheme; indeed, I
specifically referred to it in my message.
 
I am sure that all librarians are delighted at the WAML
initiative.  What would be a useful contribution to this
discussion would be to know what degree of overlap there is
likely to be between the two proposals. i.e. how much of the WAML
homepage would be concerned with historical maps.  Are you in a
position to give us an idea of the aspects you intend to cover?
Since you already have a sponsoring organisation, and start-up
funding, the MapHist idea will certainly need to watch your
progress very closely.  Or should we be joining forces?
 
I hope you will continue to keep us posted of developments.
 
Tony
 
*****************************************************************
 
[log in to unmask]
 
Tony Campbell, Map Librarian
British Library Map Library
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG, UK
Phone: 0171 412 7525.  International: +44 171 412 7525
Fax: 0171 412 7780. International: +44 171 412 7780
 
*****************************************************************