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Call for presentations on protocol issues for TDWG 2007 Conference
by Donald Hobern 13 Jul '07

13 Jul '07

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Call for presentations on LSIDs for the TDWG 2007 Conference
by Ricardo Pereira 12 Jul '07

12 Jul '07

Dear TDWG mailing list subscribers, We will have a session titled "LSIDs: Gluing it together to meet users' needs" at the upcoming TDWG 2007 Annual Conference in Bratislava from 11h00 to 12h30 on Tuesday, 18 September. We would like to use this time to present relevant LSIDs/GUID work from our community. This is a general call for 10-15 minute presentations for this session. We would be interested in hearing about- - Examples of successful use of LSIDs and other identifiers in our community - Best practices and guidelines on issuing, management, and persistence of identifiers - Anything regarding LSIDs or GUIDs that will assist our community We are also interested in hearing about use cases and metadata for representing digital (or physical) objects. These use-cases, however, may be more appropriate in the ontologies and vocabularies session or on client needs. Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested in presenting. The conference schedule (see [1] below) is extremely compact, so there is time for only 6 presentations. Alternatively, there is plenty of room for posters or computer demonstrations. Best regards, Ricardo Pereira ---- References: [1] TDWG 2007 conference schedule: http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/programme/schedule/

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TDWG Annual Conference: Client's perspectives: User needs (Monday 17 September, 11:00 - 12:30)
by Adrian Rissone 12 Jul '07

12 Jul '07

TDWG Annual Conference (http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007) Bratislava, Slovakia, 16-22 September 2007 Conference Theme: Integrating Biodiversity Data Session: Client's perspectives: User needs (Monday 17 September, 11:00 - 12:30) Call for Abstracts ** I will be away from my mail after 19 July. If you intend to respond to this call please contact me before then ** What do biodiversity data managers and biodiversity data users need from organisations such as TDWG? How does that relate to the architecture that TDWG has been developing? We'd like to hear: 1) what is needed (and why) in terms of: - additional standards - architectural components - on-line services - tools to help integrate biodiversity, observational, ecological and conservation data 2) what has already achieved (or is being worked on), towards these aims, that we don't know about 3) how you can contribute The schedule for the 2007 Conference is very busy and we have space for only five or six verbal presentations. We do have ample space for poster presentations and computer demonstrations. My task is to ask the community for proposed presentations on the session theme, to integrate key verbal presentations into an interesting and thought-provoking session, and to encourage the submission of posters and computer demonstrations. If you think you have something to contribute, please contact me at A.Rissone(a)nhm.ac.uk with Subject line "TDWG 2007: Client's perspectives: User needs", indicating whether you are proposing a verbal presentation (remember these are very limited), a poster or a computer demonstration.

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TDWG Annual Conference - Building biodiversity data content - Call for Abstracts
by Adrian Rissone 12 Jul '07

12 Jul '07

TDWG Annual Conference (http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007) Bratislava, Slovakia, 16-22 September 2007 Call for Abstracts ** I will be away from my mail after 19 July. If you intend to respond to this call please contact me before then ** Symposium: Discovery, Integration and Use of Biodiversity Data Session: Building biodiversity data content (Friday 21 September) The idea of the session is to get away from the technical aspects of managing biodiversity data and to ask the wider community to tell us: 1) what is needed in terms of: - non-technical standards (standard lists, authorities, etc.) - on-line services - collection/specimen documentation standards - other data content standards - tools to help populate biodiversity, observational, ecological and conservation databases 2) what has already achieved (or is being worked on) towards these aims 3) how you can contribute The schedule for the 2007 Conference is very busy and we have space for only five or six verbal presentations. We do have ample space for poster presentations and computer demonstrations. My task is to ask the community for proposed presentations on the session theme, to integrate key verbal presentations into an interesting and thought-provoking session, and to encourage the submission of posters and computer demonstrations. If you think you have something to contribute, please contact me at A.Rissone(a)nhm.ac.uk with Subject line "TDWG 2007: Building biodiversity data content", indicating whether you are proposing a verbal presentation (remember these are very limited), a poster or a computer demonstration.

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Call for presentations for the Commincation, education & outreach session
by Neil Thomson 11 Jul '07

11 Jul '07

Dear all, There is a session at this year's TDWG Annual Conference devoted to "Communication, education & outreach" to take place on Friday 21st September between 0900 and 1030. The session will cover topics of particular relevance to TDWG, such as how biologists get the computer knowledge and skills that they require and, conversely, how computer scientists get the biological knowledge that they require to be able to contribute to the work that TDWG represents. New initiatives and technologies that allow taxonomists to communicate, collaborate and to get the attention and interest of students and others new to the field are of particular interest. If you are interested in making a 15-minute presentation during one of the remaining slots in this session, please contact me by email in the first instance at the address given below. With thanks, Neil ------- Neil Thomson Head of Data & Digital Systems The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5294, Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 5559, Email: n.thomson(a)nhm.ac.uk http://www.nhm.ac.uk

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Call for presentations for TDWG SPM session
by Eamonn O Tuama 10 Jul '07

10 Jul '07

Hello, TDWG are devoting a special session to the Species Profile Model at the upcoming Bratislava conference. It is scheduled for 08.30 to 10.00 on Wed 19 Sept and we hope to fill the slot with up to six short (10-15 min) presentations. For more background info see: http://wiki.tdwg.org/SPM/. You are invited to make suggestions for contributions to this session. Any aspect can be considered, e.g., modelling, vocabularies, use cases, relationship to other species profile schemas, or other TDWG standards, etc. Please contact me if you are interested in making a presentation. Best regards, Éamonn ________________________________________________________________ Éamonn Ó Tuama, Ph.D. (eotuama(a)gbif.org) Senior Programme Officer for Data Access & Database Interoperability (DADI), Global Biodiversity Information Facility Secretariat, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, DENMARK Phone: +45 3532 1494; Fax: +45 3532 1480

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TDWG 2007 Annual Conference - Support for Students and other delegates
by Adrian Rissone 20 Jun '07

20 Jun '07

Biodiversity Information Standards Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG) Annual Conference 2007 - Support for Student and other delegates Early in 2007 the TDWG Executive discussed methods of attracting to the Annual Conference talented students, and delegates from countries where travel support for scientists is limited and we are poorly represented. As part of the registration process for the 2007 Conference in Slovakia we have put in place three mechanisms for assisting delegates to attend. Details are available here: http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/registration/support/ <http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/registration/support/> where there is a downloadable PDF file giving details of how to apply. It is essential that applicants look carefully at the Conference website at http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/ <http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/> for details of the registration process and registration fees (including late registration penalty) before submitting an application. Graduate and post-graduate students: Bona fide graduate and post-graduate students at a recognised academic institution may apply for discounted conference registration fees (200 $US) and reserved inexpensive accommodation at the conference venue. Delegates from countries where travel support for scientists is limited: Prospective delegates from countries where travel support for scientists is limited may apply, under strict conditions, for the same discounted conference registration fees (200 $US) and reserved inexpensive accommodation as students. This mechanism is intended to offer a better chance to attend the Conference to delegates who would not otherwise be able to secure sufficient funding. It is unlikely that applications from major industrialised countries, or countries where financial support is limited for political reasons, would be successful. Delegates needing a Letter of Invitation to the Conference: Delegates needing a Letter of Invitation to the Conference in order to secure funding from internal or external funding sources may apply. Provision by TDWG of this Letter does not imply any funding by TDWG, or discounted registration fees, or reserved inexpensive accommodation. Deadlines In all cases the application must be made to the TDWG Secretariat not later than 15 July 2007. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered but are unlikely to be processed before the late registration penalty fee (50 $US) comes into effect on 16 August 2007. The late registration penalty fee will apply to all registrations on or after that date. The number of inexpensive rooms available at the Conference venue is limited. Rooms will be allocated to successful applicants requesting them on a first-come-first-served basis. Applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Terms and Conditions Please note that TDWG does not have funds available for direct financial support for delegates to attend the Conference. Discounted registration and reserved inexpensive accommodation are the only financial support options available and are offered at the discretion of the TDWG Executive. Submission and receipt of an application does not commit TDWG in any way. All applications will be considered by the Conference Committee. The decision of the Committee will be final, no reason will be given for declining an application, and no subsequent correspondence will be entered into. Adrian Rissone Executive Secretary (TDWG) and Chair of Conference Committee (TDWG 2007) E-mail: A.Rissone(a)nhm.ac.uk Web: www.tdwg.org

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Announcement: TDWG 2007 Annual Conference
by Adrian Rissone 14 Jun '07

14 Jun '07

Dear Colleague, Please accept our apologies for cross-posting of this announcement. In February we announced the dates and venue of the 2007 Annual Conference - Slovakia in September. Thanks to all those who have contributed since then to preparing the conference framework and the exciting programme. Information on the very full programme, travel, housing and submission of abstracts is now available here: http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/ <http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/> and the on-line registration site is active here: http://www.regonline.com/128305 <http://www.regonline.com/128305> Please help us prepare for the conference by registering as soon as possible - regular delegates will know how important this is - and be aware of the late registration fee. TDWG members who wish to pay their membership fees can pay them as part of the registration process in one easy transaction. Please note that the Conference registration fee for non-members is higher but that new members may join (or lapsed members pay their dues) and receive an immediate member discount. This will be an important conference. Don't miss it! Thank you for your interest in TDWG, Adrian Rissone Executive Secretary, TDWG Natural History Museum, London Phone +44 20 7942 5239 (voicemail only) Fax +44 20 7942 5546 E-mail a.rissone(a)nhm.ac.uk <mailto:a.rissone@nhm.ac.uk>

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Biodiversity Information Projects - responses
by Lee Belbin 31 May '07

31 May '07

Dear list members Apologies for cross-postings. We have had an enthusiastic response to the database of biodiversity information related projects (http://www.tdwg.org/activities/bioinformatics-projects/) Thank you. We are now working on ways to improve the system based on your feedback and a few new ideas. Changes should happen quickly, unless they require a lot of work. We have now added definitions of the fields, will add the language of the project as a new field and deal with acronyms in some way. The projects can be of any size or scope (geographic or taxonomic or function), as long as the project deals with the discovery, description, indexing, aggregation, display or analysis/display of biodiversity data. Does that cover it? We have had a number of emails asking us to include unlisted projects. We can do that, but it is preferable to email the contact of the project and suggest they may like to create an entry. The project contacts will be able to generate a higher quality record that we can do. We will also keep adding new content and updating incomplete records. I will be away for a month so please contact Piers Higgs (piers(a)gaiaresources.com.au) with any questions, suggestions and feedback. Piers is however moving his office next week, so be patient for a response. Thank you Lee Lee Belbin Manager, TDWG Infrastructure Project Email: lee(a)tdwg.org Phone: +61(0)419 374 133

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RE: [Taxacom] ITIS, Species 2000, etc.
by Lee Belbin 30 May '07

30 May '07

Dear TDWG list members I apologise to those on taxacom, but wanted to be sure that those interested in TDWG knew about this initiative... It occurred to me that it would be helpful to have a database along the lines of "Biodiversity information projects of the world". And with the help of Piers Higgs (http://www.gaiaresources.com.au/) - we have just in the last few days finished seeding one! http://www.tdwg.org/activities/bioinformatics-projects/ There are about 450 projects seeded in the database of which 295 are 'complete' for the fields that we have surveyed. There is also the ability to amend existing entries and add new entries. These changes/additions go into the database and a few people (including myself) are notified to evaluate these entries. We have the following fields in the database Project_name Project_logo Project_URL Project_description Project_type Date_start Date_end Contact_organisation Contact_person Contact_position Contact_email Key_inputs Key_infrastructure Key_technologies Key_processes Geographic_Scope Geographic_Type Taxonomic_Scope Taxonomic_Type Comments Finalised? Please give it a whirl! Input, amendments and feedback would be appreciated. Lee Lee Belbin Manager, TDWG Infrastructure Project Email: lee(a)tdwg.org Phone: +61(0)419 374 133 -----Original Message----- From: taxacom-bounces(a)mailman.nhm.ku.edu [mailto:taxacom-bounces@mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Edwards, G.B. Sent: Thursday, 31 May 2007 12:46 AM To: taxacom(a)mailman.nhm.ku.edu Subject: Re: [Taxacom] ITIS, Species 2000, etc. I appreciate the comments of Anna, Mary, Rich, Rod and others on this subject, and the information links provided, but in many cases, those are for the one organization each is most associated with. Not that this isn't useful, but... Seems to me what we need is an Encyclopedia of Taxonomic Initiatives (or maybe a Reader's Digest Version) which would give us the acronym or title, what it means, what it's purpose is, where it's located, and who it's contact people are (see those listed below plus a "whole host of other initiatives", many of which have come up in subsequent discussions). Also needed is a glossary of acronyms used within each organization. Obviously people who are already involved know what these initiatives are, but I suspect there are many others who might want to be involved in something, but don't want to wade through looking up the specs for a bunch of organizations to find one that seems to fit what they would be willing to do. Not to mention how helpful it would be to know the most appropriate place to go for a particular type of taxonomic information, or to find out that there actually is an organization that databases some obscure group. Yes, you can Google, but then you're still wading through thousands of responses, and you'll probably miss some of the initiatives. There are just too many for any one person to keep track of. How about if the organizers of every initiative send in their information to a central website which can then be made available to everyone (offers to host?). Maybe some of the paralysis will be lifted if people know what their options are. Might bring some of those private collections into the fold. Might even be a good start to organizing the taxonomic community. -- G. B. Edwards Florida State Collection of Arthropods ...One of the goals of the Encyclopedia of Life is to work with groups like uBio, GBIF, ITIS, Species2000, IPNI, Index Fungorum, ZooBank, BHL, and a whole host of other initiatives who deal with taxonomic names to establish what David Remsen of GBIF calls the "BIG Index" (I'll defer to David for elaboration of the name). This would be a giant index of these "usage instances", or the "facts" of taxonomy, as I defined them above (e.g., Smith, 2001, treated "Aus xus" as a junior synonym of "Aus bus"). Building such a comprehensive index is a monumental task, far outside the scope of any single initiative like ITIS or Species2000 or most of the others. But it's not outside the scope of the collective taxonomic community as a whole; which is why ideas like All Species, GBIF's ECAT, and EoL (the latter being the most robustly funded) are so fundamentally important to serve as a "flag pole" around which we can all congregate and coordinate our efforts. ... I share your feeling that paralysis is the usual response. What continually astounds me is how little people are aware of the groundwork that already exists. Most of the issues (GUIDs, generating identifiers, searching based on journal metadata) have already been solved, in some cases (SICIs, OpenURL) a decade ago.

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