Three news items from the DLF-sponsored (and NSF-funded) Ockham Project.
For more information please see http://www.ockham.org/ (or see "About
the OCKHAM Initiative" at the end of this message for more information).

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1) NEWS: The Ockham group has found excellent opportunities for synergy
with two UK initiatives: the Information Environment Service Registry
<http://iesr.ac.uk/> and The Archives Hub <http://archiveshub.ac.uk/>.
Both initiatives funded by DLF's newest ally, JISC.  
Indeed, Ockham has been able to import IESR's metadata scheme into the
Ockham registry, making good re-use of work done in this similar British
effort, and avoiding redundant work.  A face-to-face set of meetings
this month, graciously hosted in Liverpool and Manchester, allowed the
various Ockham, Archives Hub, and IESR development teams to meet and to
explore further opportunities to benefit from and contribute to each
others' work.  

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2) ANNOUNCEMENT: The OCKHAM Initiative releases version 0.5.3 of the
Harvest-to-Query (H2Q) Software (provides standard querying capabilities
for OAI-PMH available metadata collections)

The OCKHAM initiative today released version 0.5.3 of its
Harvest-to-Query (H2Q) software. This is the first widely-publicized
release of H2Q. H2Q is an end-to-end solution for providing standard
querying capabilities (such as Z39.50) for OAI-PMH available metadata
collections.

Currently, H2Q has the following major features:

* It is as easy to install as your stereo system (with all of its
components)
* It is able to harvest metadata from any OAI-PMH available collection
which provides its records in Dublin Core
* Provides Z39.50 querying to harvested collections

Once H2Q achieves its 1.0 status, it will have the following major
features:

* It will be as easy to install as your toaster
* It will be able to harvest metadata from any OAI-PMH available
collection
* It will provide Z39.50 and SRU/W querying to harvested collections
* It will allow harvesting and indexing of any XML-based metadata scheme

The OCKHAM H2Q software can be downloaded from
http://www.ockham.org/services.php .


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3) JOB: Short-term Perl programmer

The University Libraries of Notre Dame Libraries is seeking an expert
Perl programmer to work on a short-term project for a professional
salary.

Description: The Libraries is involved in a national research and
development activity. One of the activity's goals is to enhance an
information retrieval system with a Find More Like This One feature. 
This feature will:

1. Allow users to identify a desirable record from a list of search
results

2. Select characteristics from the record the user deems significant

3. Return those characteristics back to the system

4. The system will then use things like locally created dictionaries,
WordNet, and/or other semantic tools to return additional searches to be
applied against other internal or external indexes

Requirements: The successful candidate must have exceptional skills in
reading and writing object oriented Perl programs in a Unix/Linux
environment. The position requires the candidate to be able document
their code with comments as well as in the form of PODs. The position
requires the candidate to be able to work in a collaborative
environment. Thus, the candidate must possess well-developed
communication skills.

Highly desirable: Applicants who demonstrate an understanding of
relational database techniques, XML and Web Services, academia, as well
as the principles of open source software will be given preference.

Work environment: The University Libraries is located in Notre Dame, IN
(just outside South Bend) about ninety miles east of Chicago. Because of
the location, telecommuting is possible, but regular weekly site visits
are necessary.

Start date: Immediately

End date: No later than August 31, 2005

Salary: Starting at $24/hour and negotiable depending on qualifications,
experience, and flexibility

Application: Send cover letters, resumes, and questions to Eric Lease
Morgan ([log in to unmask]). All inquires will be
acknowledged.

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About the OCKHAM Initiative

The OCKHAM Initiative seeks to promote the development of digital
libraries via collaboration between librarians and digital library
researchers. By promoting simple, open approaches and standards for
digital library tools, services, and content, the gap between digital
library development and the adoption of digital library systems by the
traditional library community will hopefully be bridged.

The initiative is sponsored by the Digital Library Federation
(http://www.diglib.org). Additionally, four participating institutions
(Emory University, Oregon State University, the University of Notre
Dame, and Virginia Tech) are involved in a National Science Foundation
funded grant through the NSF's National Science Digital Library program.
This grant seeks to build a suite of digital library services and tools
which will benefit both the NSDL and traditional library communities.

More information on the OCKHAM Initiative, and the NSF-funded grant, can
be found at http://www.ockham.org

David