----------------------------Original message----------------------------
In Darius' note on:
> Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 09:56:12 EST
> Subject: Re: Jefferys Map of New England
> There is now a Listserv set up principally for the UK and Ireland map
> library community. I am not a member myself, but gather that
> information about this may be obtained from Philip Guest...
> ...I know that at least some of those listed therein are also on
> MAPS-L so maybe they can expand a bit on this? (Now that has put you
> all in the spotlight, hasn't it... bet you thought you would get away
> with a quiet life, too... :-)
Hmmn... Is this the first case of "cartographic 'outing' by email",
one wonders :-)
Yes, Darius, there has been a list started up with the intention of
serving principally the UK & IRL map and spatial data community and
with a view to monitor European developments. It is called 'lis-maps'
and operates out of the listserver at [log in to unmask] and it
has had a small steering group behind to get it going, in addition to
the views of the list members. In one sense we have opted for the
quiet life - this reflects the need for us to build-up membership, a
number of whom are being introduced to the potential of networking on
the back of this initiative, and also I think the onus is on us to
create a creditable and workable service.
We are also aware of the need to avoid unnecessary duplication of
messages to ensure effective utilization of our time. To this end we
have created a series of 'LISTeners' to cross-monitor each other's
lists. For example, I monitor the Canadian map listserv CARTA on
behalf of lis-maps and Alberta Wood kindly reciprocates. Maps-l is not
monitored by virtue of being around for at least the approx 4 years
I've been on it, the diverse global user community and the number and
variety of messages: all 'lis-maps' folk are advised to join it as only
rarely can they expect something copied down. Charley Seavey has
offered to monitor lis-maps on behalf of maps-l to catch anything of
wider interest to maps-l. Obviously, such cross-monitoring has
limitations and we shall have to wait and see whether this is
satisfactory. Alternative suggestions are welcome.
Over time we would wish to add value to the information received and
for this to act as a stimulus to generate more, although the precise
form that this might take it not yet clear. In discussion with Johnny
Sutherland when starting out he mentioned the desirability of creating
a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) list, together with more
sophisticated access tools such as a gopher. In the UK there have been
successful attempts to create a subject-oriented info server, typically
now gopher-based. The BUBL server for librarians has grown to be
viewed as an intellectually coherent repository and new services
following this model are currently being developed for the Social
Sciences.
However, it hard not to be very impressed with the capability and
potential of the WWW (World Wide Web), especially the graphics, and for
what that enables in terms of our own highly efficient visual
processing. The WWW with its open intuitive approach will encourage
new classes of users and information providers and the technology has
much potential for development both in terms of the information
retrieval and data input functions. It will be interesting to observe
the impact of this technology on map/spatial data librarianship in the
coming years.
Some current examples (details below) which might be of interest
include: the '1492: Age of Discovery' LC exhibition (even with very
modest GIF images) or the LC Vatican exhibit 'Map Room' with the 'View
of Rome, 1593' (with much more impressive JPEG images); the USGS
metadata catalogues; the PARC Map Viewer. It is very demanding of
network resources and there remain questions such as the ability of
hypertext(media) to adapt to temporal changes, the 'lost in hyperspace'
problem and whether retention of information and accumulation of
knowledge is actually consistent with fevered clicking upon hypertext
links. The 'Domesday Disc' enabled many of these functions almost a
decade ago but its read-only IV disc format source of data contrasts
strongly with the online access to consistent data from original
sources.
As a modest first step may I suggest that it would be very helpful for
users to report to maps-l some particular gems available on the WWW
(and Gopher, for that matter). Perhaps this is something for others to
comment upon and to suggest how these services could be developed.
I have appended some info about joining lis-maps for anybody who is
interested. You can browse the mail via the online access to Mailbase.
I would ask that you request the 'user-guide' and the file
'introduction' from mailbase first (details follow). Perhaps Darius
will now join our list; the original personal invitation still stands!
Philip Guest, Listowner 'lis-maps'.
Map Project, Dept of Geography, Univ of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL
Email: [log in to unmask] phone: +44 61 275 2670
Assistance for use of mailbase listserv:
---------------------------------------
If you are not familiar with the 'Mailbase' listserv software and
curious about 'lis-maps' you are requested to send the following
message (no subject line is required):
send mailbase user-guide
send lis-maps introduction
to the following address:
[log in to unmask] (Internet) (JANET: [log in to unmask])
Mailbase Online:
Telnet to: 128.240.2.118 (login: guest password: mailbase)
WWW
---
For further info (not from me, please):
Send the mail message: HELP to: [log in to unmask]
Anonymous FTP (for www.faq):
FTP to rtfm.mit.edu pub/usenet-by-group/news.answers/www/faq
(Or, better still, try a Gopher/Veronica server search for www.faq)
Telnet WWW text access:
Try: info.cern.ch (login: www password: none required)
(This demonstrates the hypertext format but requires a substantial leap
of the imagination to appreciate the impact of full still/motion
graphics, sound and decent typographic presentation.)
For the lucky ones with appropriate software, the URL's are:
LC Exhibits: 1st '1492: An Ongoing Voyage'; 2nd 'View of Rome, 1593'
http://sunsite.unc.edu/expo/1492.exhibit/intro.html
http://sunsite.unc.edu/expo/vatican.exhibit/exhibit/a-vatican_lib/Map03.html
USGS Meta-index:
http://info.er.usgs.gov/fgdc-catalog/main/usgs.html
PARC Map Viewer:
http://pubweb.parc.xerox.com/map
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