Actually, this project is in the GNU Task List. A small group of volunteers began to tackle it about 2 years ago, but interest dwindled when the complexity of the task became apparent.
It appears the desired features (at least to the initial core developers far overstep replacing "cards", as it must contemplate any format (paper, digital, film, whatever), allow for the tracking and aquisition of titles, etc.
The initial idea was a web application, using the browser as a "thin client" for the entire shebang - allowing for the oft-underfunded libraries to use their current workstations for the purpose.
As far as I know, the project went as far as a MARC schema, a Z39.50 client that connected and disconnected from the server, and little else (please prove me wrong).
Perhaps this is a chance to use the much vaunted "Slashdot effect" for a positive purpose ? "Hackers wanted"
. "God" or "the gods" created us with limited perception (only 5 senses and 3 dimensions)
It strikes me as odd that we only have 5 senses... sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell... what of balance ? Is it a sense ? Anyone ever suffering from motion sickness will tell you it is.
As for dimensions... well, there is time - but I won't argue that one quite as strongly.
Doesn't it seem self-evident that any spacefaring civilization (assuming their existence) would need a better means of communication than this?
Self-evident ? Well, yes, they may need a better means, but it is by no stretch of the imagination self evident that they would actually get it.
As much as it pains me, it is possible that c is it. You can't go faster. Bummer, hei ? But it may be physical fact, and we must be ready to deal with it if needed.
Planning on potential breakthroughs can be fun - but it is not immediately useful. It strikes me as we should plan on using what we have and use what we come up with as it becomes available, instead of waiting around for a RSN breakthrough
I'm going to share an experience I had an year or two ago, when I was interviewing for a job at a local high circulation newspaper. It is illustrative of how a book like this can cause great missunderstanings.
In the course of the iterview I used the sentence "Which is something that I, as a self-respecting hacker, would never do". This was followed by a pregnant silence and "significant looks" being exchanged between by employers-to-be.
This led to a quick explanation, a frantic search for The Jargon File and, believe it or not, a short article in the "Computers" part of the paper regarding the difference between hacker and cracker. All in all, it was a Good Thing (and I got the gig, too).
I was lucky, I had a chance to "defend myself" and managed to get the point accross, but I suspect that any person describind him/herself as a hacker will face much the same reaction - and will likely face unwarranted negative reactions. I realize that the meme is widespread, but it must be fought somehow.
There is a pretty good letter and other suggestions here. Has your local newspaper received one yet ?
Humm... brings the "data haven" concept into mind. I reckon it would be something along the lines of "web server's geographical location" - anyone know the particulars of the law on this ? Several permutations come to mind - to the extent of a connection via satelite to a server located in a ship in international waters (Flag of origin ?). I know it's a bit over the top, but in the long run (read a couple of years) it may be worth considering.
Slashdot Mirror
A function of the inner ear, yes, as sight is a function of the eye ? What defines a "sense" ?
Actually, this project is in the GNU Task List. A small group of volunteers began to tackle it about 2 years ago, but interest dwindled when the complexity of the task became apparent.
It appears the desired features (at least to the initial core developers far overstep replacing "cards", as it must contemplate any format (paper, digital, film, whatever), allow for the tracking and aquisition of titles, etc.
The initial idea was a web application, using the browser as a "thin client" for the entire shebang - allowing for the oft-underfunded libraries to use their current workstations for the purpose.
As far as I know, the project went as far as a MARC schema, a Z39.50 client that connected and disconnected from the server, and little else (please prove me wrong).
Perhaps this is a chance to use the much vaunted "Slashdot effect" for a positive purpose ? "Hackers wanted"
. "God" or "the gods" created us with limited perception (only 5 senses and 3 dimensions)
It strikes me as odd that we only have 5 senses... sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell... what of balance ? Is it a sense ? Anyone ever suffering from motion sickness will tell you it is.
As for dimensions... well, there is time - but I won't argue that one quite as strongly.
Doesn't it seem self-evident that any spacefaring civilization (assuming their existence) would need a better means of communication than this?
Self-evident ? Well, yes, they may need a better means, but it is by no stretch of the imagination self evident that they would actually get it.
As much as it pains me, it is possible that c is it. You can't go faster. Bummer, hei ? But it may be physical fact, and we must be ready to deal with it if needed.
Planning on potential breakthroughs can be fun - but it is not immediately useful. It strikes me as we should plan on using what we have and use what we come up with as it becomes available, instead of waiting around for a RSN breakthrough
I'm going to share an experience I had an year or two ago, when I was interviewing for a job at a local high circulation newspaper. It is illustrative of how a book like this can cause great missunderstanings.
In the course of the iterview I used the sentence "Which is something that I, as a self-respecting hacker, would never do". This was followed by a pregnant silence and "significant looks" being exchanged between by employers-to-be.
This led to a quick explanation, a frantic search for The Jargon File and, believe it or not, a short article in the "Computers" part of the paper regarding the difference between hacker and cracker. All in all, it was a Good Thing (and I got the gig, too).
I was lucky, I had a chance to "defend myself" and managed to get the point accross, but I suspect that any person describind him/herself as a hacker will face much the same reaction - and will likely face unwarranted negative reactions. I realize that the meme is widespread, but it must be fought somehow.
There is a pretty good letter and other suggestions here. Has your local newspaper received one yet ?
Humm... brings the "data haven" concept into mind.
I reckon it would be something along the lines of "web server's geographical location" - anyone know the particulars of the law on this ?
Several permutations come to mind - to the extent of a connection via satelite to a server located in a ship in international waters (Flag of origin ?).
I know it's a bit over the top, but in the long run (read a couple of years) it may be worth considering.