----------------------------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 *****************************************************************