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TDWG 2005 Annual Meeting - much new and updated information on web site
by Adrian Rissone 08 Sep '05

08 Sep '05

TDWG 2005 Annual Meeting - much new and updated information on web site Apologies for cross-posting. If you are attending the meeting please visit the web site at: http://www.tdwg.org/2005meet/TDWG_2005_Intro.html to view important new and updated information (follow the Menu links). The Meeting Programme is now available, with links to presentation, poster and computer demonstration abstracts. Also available are arrangements for arriving at St. Petersburg Airport, details of local travel and departure. Looking forward to seeing you in Russia. Regards, Adrian Rissone TDWG 2005 Meeting Co-ordinator and TDWG Secretary

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TDWG memberships
by Stan Blum 08 Sep '05

08 Sep '05

Dear past present and future members of TDWG, This year I am very late in sending out the usual membership application and renewal form. This is due in part to the fact that I am also very late in (re-)establishing a bank account for TDWG in the US. I have filed the necessary papers with State and Local governments, but I have not yet received the authorization from the State of California. Without a bank account, I cannot accept checks or electronic transfers. Fortunately, we do have our account with RegOnline, which allows us to collect funds with credit cards. TDWG membership dues sustain the organization and entitle members to receive a free copy of any printed TDWG Standard, the TDWG Newsletter, and to vote at meetings. As we have moved into the age of electronic communications, TDWG standards have been published electronically, and the TDWG web site and email lists have replaced the newsletter. Voting rights remain the primary benefit of TDWG membership, which is important this year as several proposed standards will be put before the membership for adoption. What I propose to do in the mean time is to encourage everyone who can to use the RegOnline account to pay dues with a credit card. Even if you are not attending this year's meeting, you can pay membership dues by registering for the meeting at http://www.regonline.com/25832 and selecting the "membership only" registration type. If you cannot use a credit card, please send me an email indicating that you promise to pay annual membership dues (170 Euros - Institutional; 60 Euros - Individual) for the year 2005 via check or electronic transfer after the TDWG bank account has been established (expected in October). With that promise, you will have voting rights at this year's meeting. If you are sending delegates to the annual meeting in St. Petersburg, paying in cash is also an option. With humble apologies for any inconvenience,. Stan Blum TDWG Treasurer, 2005

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URGENT: TDWG 2005 - Registration
by Adrian Rissone 06 Sep '05

06 Sep '05

TDWG 2005 Registration URGENT MESSAGE FOR DELEGATES NOT REGISTERED There are a number of people who have indicated that they are attending the TDWG Meeting in St. Petersburg (some of whom have booked hotels) who have not registerd on the Registration web site. If this includes YOU it is VERY important that you register NOW. Lack of proper registration is causing us great problems with local organisation in Russia. The registration site is at: http://www.regonline.com/25832 Thank you for your co-operation. Regards, Adrian Rissone TDWG 2005 Meeting Co-ordinator

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TDWG Subgroup: Observation-based monitoring of biological organisms
by Steve Kelling 06 Sep '05

06 Sep '05

Dear All, At the 2004 TDWG meeting in Christchurch NZ, a new subgroup was formed to explore avenues that incorporate observation-based monitoring of biological organisms data into existing federation mechanisms of the bioinformatics community. Our goal is to develop methods that facilitate interoperability with existing metadata standards, external portals, and data harvesting structures, without loosing the inherent value of these data. A potential outcome of this subgroup is to develop a rich description standard for observational and monitoring data. For this to occur the standard must be extensible to allow the incorporation of a diversity of data types. Furthermore, the standard should incorporate variables from more general resource discovery standards (e.g. from Dublin Core or Darwin Core). Background information on the observational data subgroup may be found at: http://www.avianknowledge.net/tdwg At the Christchurch meeting a number of TDWG'ers expressed interest in helping with our efforts to integrate observational data into TDWG, and we will have a subgroup meeting at this year's TDWG meeting in St. Petersburg. For those of you that are able to attend this year's meeting and are interested in our efforts, you are very welcome to attend the subgroup meeting. If you are interested in helping with the observational data subgroup but are unable to attend the St Petersburg meeting, please let me know and I will updated on our efforts. All comments are welcome, Thanks, Steve Kelling Director of Information Sciences Cornell Lab of Ornithology 607-254-2478 (work) 607-342-1029 (cell)

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Call for Contractors for GBIF Data Portal: Java Developers and Data Administrator
by Donald Hobern 31 Aug '05

31 Aug '05

Calls for Contractors for International Biodiversity Data Portal: Java Developers and Data Administrator Background ---------- The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF, http://www.gbif.org/) is an international organisation with a secretariat based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Its mission is to enable free and open international web-based exchange of data relating to ´ all living organisms (plants, animals, micro-organisms), in particular information on their biological classification and their geographic occurrence. GBIF brings together an international network of institutions and organisations which have set up web services with standard interfaces to share biodiversity data. The network includes a centrally-operated portal (http://www.gbif.net/) to assist users in discovering and selecting data from the network. This portal currently exists as a prototype and now needs to be redeveloped to provide a robust access point for biodiversity data (both XML web services and a browser interface). Further information can be found at the following links: http://circa.gbif.net/Public/irc/gbif/dadi/library?l=/architecture/ http://wiki.gbif.org/dadiwiki/wikka.php GBIF is seeking experienced Java developers and a data manager to work on this portal. These will be contract positions and will be based at the GBIF Secretariat in Copenhagen. All contractors will be expected to work in English. Call for Java Developers ------------------------ GBIF requires experienced Java web developers to work in Copenhagen through at least to the end of 2006. Applicants must be experienced in the following technologies: * Java (at least 3 years development experience) * XML (including XML Schema, XSLT, XPath) * Apache Tomcat Applicants should ideally also be familiar with the following technologies: * MySQL and/or PostgreSQL * Hibernate * JavaServer Faces and/or Struts * Log4J * Ant * Python Prior experience with the following technologies will be an advantage: * Data standards from the Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG, http://www.tdwg.org/), in particular: - Darwin Core - ABCD Schema - Taxon Concept Schema ´ * Data exchange protocols from TDWG: - DiGIR - BioCASe - TAPIR * GML Web Feature Service * BioMOBY * XQuery Understanding of the principles of taxonomy and of biological collection management will be a significant advantage. Call for Data Administrator --------------------------- GBIF requires a Data Administrator to work in Copenhagen through at least to the end of 2006. The Data Administrator will provide helpdesk support to assist data providers in the following areas: * Configuration and use of standard software packages to share biodiversity data * Diagnosis of problems in mapping biodiversity data into XML formats * Use of controlled vocabularies for biodiversity data elements * Handling of taxonomic names The GBIF Data Portal includes a database which serves as an index to the biodiversity data records shared by participants in the GBIF network. The Data Administrator will also be responsible for administrative tasks relating to this database. Training will be provided in the use of tools for diagnosis of problems with biodiversity data and in the administration of the index database. Applicants must exhibit understanding of the principles of taxonomy and of biological collection management, and also of web-based data exchange using XML web services. Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience in some or all of the following technologies: * Data standards from the Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG, http://www.tdwg.org/), in particular: - Darwin Core - ABCD Schema - Taxon Concept Schema * Data exchange protocols from TDWG: - DiGIR - BioCASe - TAPIR * XML (including XML Schema, XPath) * MySQL and/or PostgreSQL How to apply ------------ Interested applicants should send the following by e-mail to Donald Hobern, GBIF Programme Officer for Data Access and Database Interoperability (dhobern(a)gbif.org): * Curriculum vitae * Indication of the position to which the application relates * Description of how you fulfill the requirements for the position * Description of the strengths you can bring to the project * Confirmation of availibility to work in Denmark * Indication of when you would be available to start work in Copenhagen * Expected remuneration The closing date for applications is 30 September 2005. Interviews will take place early in October.

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TDWG early registration about to close
by Stan Blum 30 Aug '05

30 Aug '05

Anyone attending, but not yet registered for the TDWG meeting in St. Petersburg: We are finalizing arrangements for this year's TDWG meeting and need to get an accurate count of participants. Adjusting capacity for services later will incur greater expenses, so we will be increasing registration fees by 70 Euros on Friday, September 2, at midnight (GMT-6). At that time, member registration will become 200 EU, and non-member registration will become 230 EU. If you have made arrangements to attend this year's meeting and have not yet registered, please do so now and save yourself 70 Euros. Thanks, -Stan Blum TDWG Treasurer

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SYNTHESYS Third Call
by Gemma Robinson (via Adrian Rissone) 20 Jul '05

20 Jul '05

Dear Scientist, Next Deadline: 16 September 2005 The SYNTHESYS Office is pleased to announce the Third call for proposals under the European Commission's FPVI European-funded Integrated Infrastructure Initiative. SYNTHESYS Project funding is available to provide scientists (Users) based in European Member and Associated States to undertake short visits to utilize the infrastructure (namely the collections, staff expertise and analytical facilities) at one of the 20 partner institutions (see full list below) for the purposes of their research. The 20 partner institutions are organised into 11 national TAxonomic Facilities (TAFs). TAF Users will be hosted by a TAF staff member. The 11 TAF institutions represent an unparalleled resource for taxonomic research offering: Collections amounting to over 337 million natural history specimens, including 3.3 million type specimens. Internationally renowned taxonomic and systematic skill base· Chemical analysis, molecular and imaging facilities. Proposals will be welcomed from high calibre researchers seeking access for short-term visits. SYNTHESYS is able to meet the Users' costs for: · Research costs* · International travel · Local accommodation whilst based at the TAF · A per diem to contribute towards living costs * Research related costs including: bench fees and consumables (including molecular biology at some TAFs). See www.synthesys.info for more information or contact synthesys(a)nhm.ac.uk TAF visits will be scheduled from December 2004 until January 2009. SYNTHESYS is a five-year project comprising two parts which together aim to create an integrated European infrastructure for researchers in the natural sciences. SYNTHESYS Partners: GB-TAF Natural History Museum, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. ES-TAF Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Real Jardín Botánico Naturales. DK-TAF The Natural History Museum of Denmark. FR-TAF Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle. SE-TAF Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet. NL-TAF University van Amsterdam, Nationaal Herbarium Nederland, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, National Natural History Museum Naturalis. DE-TAF Museum fur Naturkunde, Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum. AT-TAF Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien. HU-TAF Hungarian Natural History Museum. PL-TAF Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences. BE-TAF Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Koninklijik Museum voor Midden-Afrika, National Botanic Garden of Belgium. 1 The SYNTHESYS Partners are inviting applications from researchers based in the Member States of the EU: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom plus the Associated Countries of the EU: Switzerland, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Norway and Candidate Countries of the EU Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. Contact: Gemma Robinson (gemma.robinson(a)nhm.ac.uk) SYNTHESYS Administrator Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 6075 Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 5841 www.synthesys.info

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TDWG Subgroup: Natural Collections Descriptions (NCD)
by Neil Thomson 10 Jul '05

10 Jul '05

Dear All, At the 2004 TDWG meeting in Christchurch, a new subgroup was formed to develop the BioCASE collections description standard from dealing only with collections of specimens and observations data to dealing with any type of collection of natural history related material. Such collections include bibliographic, archival and artwork collections and especially mixed collections formed during expeditions and the voyages of discovery. Background information on NCD, along with the uses of collections descriptions and the latest version of the XML Schema (v 0.32) may be found at: http://www.tdwg.org/NCD/TDWG_NCD_Subgroup.htm [note underscores] A number of TDWG'ers expressed interest in helping with the development of NCD as one of the suite of data standards being produced for TDWG. There will be a subgroup meeting at this year's TDWG meeting for those of you that are able to attend and to which you will be very welcome. If you are interested in helping with NCD but have not already registered your interest or are unable to attend the St Petersburg meeting, please let me know and I will add your email address to main NCD list. All comments are welcome, 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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TDWG 2005 - book your hotel to get your visa voucher!
by Adrian Rissone 05 Jul '05

05 Jul '05

TDWG 2005 St. PETERSBURG Apologies for yet another message from me, and for cross posting. We note that there are several people who have expressed interest in attending the TDWG meeting in St. Petersburg (11-18 September 2005) who have not yet booked a room through the recommended hotel management. Of course, it is possible that you have booked elsewhere but if you intend to visit St. Petersburg staying in *any* hotel and have not yet booked it is ESSENTIAL that you book immediately to give enough time for the hotel to issue the required voucher and tourist invitation for you to get your visa to enter the Russian Federation. The recommended deadline for hotel booking is 10 July. We cannot emphasise too strongly how important it is to follow this advice. Regards, Adrian Rissone TDWG 2005 Meeting Coordinator

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TDWG 2005 (11-18 September 2005) - Please Register now
by Adrian Rissone 05 Jul '05

05 Jul '05

TAXONOMIC DATABASES WORKING GROUP (TDWG) Annual Meeting 11-18 September 2005 St.Petersburg, Russian Federation Apologies for cross-posting. The on-line registration site for the meeting is active now at: <http://www.regonline.com/25832>http://www.regonline.com/25832 IMPORTANT: Please register as soon as possible. This will help us plan the meeting and organise the venue. If possible, please pay on-line by credit card. Payment in cash or by credit card at the venue is possible but causes an additional administrative burden on the Local Organiser and we respectfully ask that you avoid this method of payment. Please note that payment for the Cultural Excursion (Wed 13 September) is NOT possible on the Registration site. Instructions on how to book a place on the Cultural Excursion are given at: http://www.tdwg.org/2005meet/TDWG_2005_Excursion.html ----------------------------------------------------- Full information about the meeting is available here: http://www.tdwg.org/2005meet/TDWG_2005_Intro.html General information about the TDWG is here: http://www.tdwg.org Regards, Adrian Rissone Secretary and Scientific Porgramme Coordinator Taxonomic Databases Working Group

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