Hi all,

about that on-line reference book ... has any of you tried
www.animals4ever.com yet ?
The purpose of that site was exactly to accomplish just that. It's free, and
all members can add their own pictures of shells or other animals of the
animal kingdom to the "book". It aleady contains more photo's than the
Compendium, so maybe an idea to build on.

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Bob Abela
Sent: dinsdag 12 augustus 2003 7:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Lists of shell photos??


Hi Ross,

No, I don't think this is a pipedream.

Patty Jansen proposed something of this nature earlier this year, about
creating an on-line reference book.
I agree that it is time for such an effort. It also ties into my
thoughts about a "master" site for shell links,
rather than the many independent efforts on various websites. Has anyone
else given this consideration?

I would be happy to volunteer my time towards such an endeavor. I'm not
certain one 'go-getter' is enough for a project of this magnitude. It
would require a cooperative effort. That said, I'm game for pursuing
such a venture. Any other takers?

>From sunny Guam,
Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Ross Mayhew
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 12:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Lists of shell photos??


        Linda was looking for "lists of [presumably mollusc shell]
photos". I've been thinking of putting together such a list for a long
time, perhaps with a search engine involved so one could inquire about
specific species  within this list.  That said, given that i'm about 10
years behind im my work already, and that i have no desire to re-invent
the wheel, is there such a beast on the net already?  Perhaps instead of
a search engine, a list of photos, with links to the page that contains
them, could be maintained by several people  - each with their own
taxonomic territory: many of the 25 to 30 dealers and hundred or so
collectors, and maybe two dozen clubs that maintain significant on-line
photo galleries would probably be glad to participate in such a project.
There must be hundreds of thousands of shell photos on the web (heck,
i've got a couple of thousand species and forms on my little site
alone!), of perhaps 15,000 - 20,000 species: wouldn't it be great to
have a "master index" to this treasure trove of riches??
        Is this a pipe dream, or a viable possibiltity?  Realistically,
i just don't have time to spearhead the effort, but would be more than
willing to work with a couple of eager beavers (or screaming eagles, as
the case may be.....) to make it a reality.  What is needed most, is
someone with a lot of determination, to direct the affair and keep it
going until something worthwhile emerges - any takers?

>From the Great Wet North,
Ross M.