[NHCOLL-L:1248] Re: Collections Software

[Panza, Robin]

I think it would be great is NSCA planning a CM software review, but would
like to suggest that it be an update of the CHIN review, not starting from
scratch.  CHIN's book is quite long and detailed, and an excellent review of
the programs it covers.  Re-doing their work and adding recent programs like
Biolink and Specify would make an even larger book, NOT a newsletter
inclusion. [By the way, Emu is in the CHIN book.]

I do believe that input from users is valuable.  The provider, aside from
having a vested interest (in promoting it's program's strong points and
downplaying any weaknesses), isn't necessarily the sole best source of
useful information.  If I create a program, I will make it do what I want,
not "waste" my time/energy on features I consider unimportant, and I won't
have addressed features I didn't think of.  Other users of my program may
have different priorities, and only they can tell other potential users that
my program doesn't do thus-and-such.  A good review of software will include
the information from the inventors (the ones who know best what it *can* do)
and the users (the ones who've found out what it *can't* do).

Robin

Robin K Panza                         panzar at carnegiemuseums.org
Collection Manager, Section of Birds          ph:  412-622-3255
Carnegie Museum of Natural History       fax: 412-622-8837
4400 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh  PA  15213-4008  USA