antbase.org shut down: Lessons to be learned
Antbase.org has been shutdown on February 1, 2012. The story leading to it will be published once the time comes. At the moment, it is important to assure that this source of digital literature for the ant taxonomic community will become life as soon as possible. The technical issues are being dealt in my antbase.org blog.
Below, I am beginning to write up the lessons being learned during this process. The points will be explained in due course.
There are lessons to be learned from the shut down of antbase.
You are not important.
Policies can change.
There is no institutional commitment to maintain digital work, as is for libraries and physical collections.
Have multiple copies.
Have as much under your own control – even though it comes at a (insurmountable?) cost.
React at the slightest indication of change.
Digital collections are not for the eternity (may be with the exception of images).
Our institutional policies shift, and are not necessarily in accordance with the scientists needs.
Do not even think about the ramification to build a repository.
As a scientist, stay within institutions
Read how to manage and operate within voluntary organizations
Antbase.org has been shutdown on February 1, 2012. The story leading to it will be published once the time comes. At the moment, it is important to assure that this source of digital literature for the ant taxonomic community will become life as soon as possible. The technical issues are being dealt in my antbase.org blog.
Below, I am beginning to write up the lessons being learned during this process. The points will be explained in due course.
There are lessons to be learned from the shut down of antbase.
You are not important.
Policies can change.
There is no institutional commitment to maintain digital work, as is for libraries and physical collections.
Have multiple copies.
Have as much under your own control – even though it comes at a (insurmountable?) cost.
React at the slightest indication of change.
Digital collections are not for the eternity (may be with the exception of images).
Our institutional policies shift, and are not necessarily in accordance with the scientists needs.
Do not even think about the ramification to build a repository.
As a scientist, stay within institutions
Read how to manage and operate within voluntary organizations
