TIP in 2007

By: Lee Belbin

The TDWG Infrastructure Project’s priorities for 2007 are: TDWG technical architecture, LSID deployment, Outreach and Documentation. Read more.

The Project’s priorities for 2007 are-

1. TDWG technical architecture
2. LSID deployment
3. Outreach and
4. Documentation

The TDWG 2006 Conference in St Louis saw the approval of a range of Project supported infrastructure initiatives and recommendations from the Project. A new TDWG constitution and associated processes covering standards and group approval was approved. TDWG Interest and Task Group charters are now being reviewed by the Executive Committee.

The online web infrastructure (Typo3 CMS, OJS, Twiki, Mailman and repositories) is established, and will soon be ‘skinned’ to have (as far as possible) the same look and feel. A registered TDWG user database (with 432 users) has been established. This database simplifies access across applications and enables users to develop a profile that suits their requirements. Ricardo has also established an online payment system for TDWG membership, donations to TDWG and soon, the annual conference registration fees. 

The project, with ~10 months to run, is ahead of schedule. Ricardo is tidying up various parts of the web sites and is working toward filling the gaps in resources and support for LSID deployment. Ricardo’s big task for 2007 is the administrative documentation for the new online applications!

Roger has been working on what he calls the vocabularies of the metadata returns from LSID queries. This work links to the ontology work that the TAG and Jessie’s project developed in 2006. Roger has also been working on what he calls the vocabularies of the metadata returns from LSID queries. This work links to the ontology work that the TAG and Jessie’s project developed in 2006. Roger has created a list of documents that will be prepared during 2007 (see http://www.tdwg.org/fileadmin/subgroups/tip/TDWG_Documentation_priorities_2007_Final.xls).  The document specifying the documentation requirements for TDWG standards is in the process of review - the first standard to be taken through the new standards review process.

I recommended to the rest of the Executive Committee in St Louis (see http://www.tdwg.org/fileadmin/subgroups/tip/TDWG_Ongoing_Support.doc) that the long-term support of TDWG should be dependent on an increased level of TDWG membership. This was based on -

1. The large catchment of agencies having an interest in natural history data. Neil Thomson suggests that there are 10,000+ such agencies worldwide. TDWG needs a broad range of Institutional Members to ensure that its standards address their requirements. Institutional Members have much to gain from TDWG (see. http://wiki.tdwg.org/twiki/bin/view/Executive/OutreachChampions).
2. The poor ratio of members to TDWG conference registrants. Our 432 registered users and TAXACOM’s 1569 suggests that we should be able to improve membership.
3. TDWG’s expertise is spread too thinly.  Wed have a small pool of members with expertise yet more than a dozen areas of interest.
4. The need for basic independence from external funding bodies. TDWG should apply for funds for special projects, but should have a sustainable income based on Institutional and Individual members. If TDWG is addressing individual and institutional needs, it should have a healthy membership.

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