[SAC-FAST] [Fwd: RE: FAST subcommittee]

[O'Neill,Ed]

Hi Sherman,

 

Thanks for the comments.  The algorithmic mapping is still an earlier
beta version and this helps us identify the problems.  I have added my
thoughts below. 

 

Happy holidays; See you in Philly,

 

Ed

 

-----Original Message-----
From: sac-fast-bounces at mailman.yale.edu
[mailto:sac-fast-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Sherman Clarke
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 10:41 AM
To: sac-fast at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [SAC-FAST] [Fwd: RE: FAST subcommittee]

 

Qiang and all--

I printed out about 20 pages of sample records and looked at them. Below
some comments with the ocm number of relevant record indicated:

 

ocm36513477: "Early works to 1800" in LCSH became "Early works" in FAST;
interesting, not a problem, probably to consolidate variations on "Early
works to ..."?

 

      Exactly

 

ocm00073477: title of book includes 1970s, LCSH has Economic
history--1945-1971 and Economic history--1971-1990; alas, that results
in FAST 648 of 1945-1990; I think this wouldn't happen in real
application of FAST where you give dates of coverage but it is rather
unfortunate in algorithmic translation of LCSH

 

      For algorithmic mapping, FAST simply uses the LCSH periods.  If
the period heading was manually assigned, 1970 - 1979 would be
preferable.

 

ocm22243477: LCSH has --Macedonia which becomes Europe--Macedonia in
FAST; why is Macedonia divided indirectly but most places aren't, e.g.,
Nepal, Germany, Argentina (among the records I have, as well as U.S.
places which I understand) - is this because of difference of Macedonia
in Greece and Macedonia in former Yugoslavia (FAST thesaurus also has
Macedonia, Iowa)? FAST also has places within Macedonia (Republic)
divided from Europe without intervening Macedonia (which goes back to
decision to do two levels for geographics?)

 

Ancient and extinct places are entered indirectly under the continent.
It this case, the algorithm assumes that the LCSH heading represented
the ancient country and kingdom of Macedonia rather than the current
jurisdiction.  

 

ocm35903477: LCSH has author/title (Lawson, Robert, 1892-1957. Ben and
me) which doesn't get translated into FAST; no author/title conversion?

 

We do author/title conversions but there is no LC authority record (and
therefore no FAST heading) for "Ben and me".  Currently we only create a
FAST UT authority if (1) the author/title is established in the LC/NACO
file and (2) it has been used at least once as a subject in WorldCat.
We are considering establishing additional FAST titles for established
authors based on WorldCat usage but have not yet done so.  Any thoughts
on the value of adding titles based on usage? 

 

ocm41313477: all of the LCSH have $x Estimates (this subdivision is $x
in the free-floating publication) but it really looks strange in the
FAST breakout - ambiguity of form/topic for this subdivision is
exaggerated somehow when you're thinking facets - also, it makes me
realize I still think it's a bit strange that topical subdivisions stay
with their base topic; it often makes sense but when it's repeated on
multiple basic topics, it looks redundant

 

The form/topic ambiguity is a problem.  However, since Estimates is not
valid as a form in FAST (or LCSH), it is treated as a topic and retained
with the main heading.

 

ocm06803477: one of LCSH has $y Cretaceous but it didn't become FAST 648
- there is a FAST authority record for Cretaceous Geologic Period

 

This is a FAST conversion error which will be fixed in the next version
of the conversion software.

 

Happy holidays and see you in Philadelphia.

 

Sherman

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