EDIT Wrap Up
18-12-2009 09:25
A quick wrap up of some
points that filtered down these last days.
Collaboration between different institutions, in this case at the European level, is not as easy as it may seem. Between researchers no problem, but at an institutional level collaboration is not a piece-of-cake. With one more year to go, we’ll have to see where EDIT will end up and what will follow.
Anyhow, I was impressed by the viability of the Scratchpad tool. There is a wealth of options, most of which you can ignore to get the basics of the site. And one you have these basics, the ease with which different sources of information may be tapped and seamlessly integrate is quite fascinating. A major leap forward compared to what could be done, say, 30 years ago when I stopped my research.
When in the field, biologists (taxonomists) need to act as ‘walking dataloggers’, capturing data to be transferred to databases with as much ease as possible. Be upfront on the technology waves.
The important thing is to have the data platform independent and freely exchangeable, avoiding laborious reworking of data afterwards. A ‘flat’ spreadsheet file looks like a good starting-point here.
Finally, there is the paradox between the number of taxonomists and the number of job openings. Relatively few taxonomists are left, their ranks being diminished by retirement and then replacement by more ‘en vogue’ disciplines. It seems as if catastrophes are the only events which open positions in this field. To the frustration of many young people who are interested but simply don’t get a chance.
We should take more efforts to make good use of the interest of “pro-amateurs”, people who are often spending considerable time effort to what they see as a ‘hobby’. With some guidance their efforts could become more effective.
Collaboration between different institutions, in this case at the European level, is not as easy as it may seem. Between researchers no problem, but at an institutional level collaboration is not a piece-of-cake. With one more year to go, we’ll have to see where EDIT will end up and what will follow.
Anyhow, I was impressed by the viability of the Scratchpad tool. There is a wealth of options, most of which you can ignore to get the basics of the site. And one you have these basics, the ease with which different sources of information may be tapped and seamlessly integrate is quite fascinating. A major leap forward compared to what could be done, say, 30 years ago when I stopped my research.
When in the field, biologists (taxonomists) need to act as ‘walking dataloggers’, capturing data to be transferred to databases with as much ease as possible. Be upfront on the technology waves.
The important thing is to have the data platform independent and freely exchangeable, avoiding laborious reworking of data afterwards. A ‘flat’ spreadsheet file looks like a good starting-point here.
Finally, there is the paradox between the number of taxonomists and the number of job openings. Relatively few taxonomists are left, their ranks being diminished by retirement and then replacement by more ‘en vogue’ disciplines. It seems as if catastrophes are the only events which open positions in this field. To the frustration of many young people who are interested but simply don’t get a chance.
We should take more efforts to make good use of the interest of “pro-amateurs”, people who are often spending considerable time effort to what they see as a ‘hobby’. With some guidance their efforts could become more effective.