Hi Michael,
Taxonomic dichotomous (or binary) keys
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichotomous_key) and synoptic keys
(http://pyrenomycetes.free.fr/hypoxylon/keydir/synoptickey.htm) have a
number of implementations on the web and there is a significant body
of research and software out there. I did some graduate work in this
area (in my previous incarnation I was a biologist, ecologist/taxonomist).
Examples:
- http://www.alicesoftware.com/Products.htm
- DELTA (DEscription Language for TAxonomy) http://www.delta-intkey.com/
- http://ctap.inhs.uiuc.edu/dmitriev/index.asp
That said, I think creating a generic framework would be a good idea.
I might be interested, but I am a Java guy. :-(
Glen
--
Glen Newton | [log in to unmask]
Researcher, Information Science, CISTI Research
& NRC W3C Advisory Committee Representative
http://tinyurl.com/yvchmu
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Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI)
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>>>>> "Michael" == Michael Beccaria <[log in to unmask]> writes:
Michael> Hey all, I'm considering trying to create a
Michael> framework\tool to allow people to create a whatbird.com
Michael> like interface for other types of datasets (plants,
Michael> trees, anything really).
Michael> The idea is to create a framework allowing users to
Michael> create a discovery tool with attribute selections to
Michael> narrow down the result set. So, for example, our
Michael> faculty/students would identify attributes found in all
Michael> trees (leaf shape, fruit, bark, form, etc.) and then
Michael> input this data into the tool which would then allow them
Michael> to input actual trees and associate them with the
Michael> attributes (as well as input description info, pictures,
Michael> etc.). The end result would look something like
Michael> whatbird.com does with birds.
Michael> This will be a challenge for me (but a good one). My
Michael> thought is to use a web framework like Django (picked
Michael> because I know it a little) but am unsure if you can have
Michael> it organize the database tables with the relationships
Michael> properly. I considered using solr but thought it would be
Michael> overkill considering the relatively small datasets this
Michael> tool would be used to create (under 1000 objects) but in
Michael> the end it might be a good bet. If approved (I have to
Michael> talk to the dean of our forestry department to see if he
Michael> will buy into the idea) I will try and create the bulk of
Michael> it during January and tweak it the rest of the semester.
Michael> Anyone interesting in working on this type of project
Michael> with me?
Michael> Mike Beccaria Systems Librarian Head of Digital
Michael> Initiatives Paul Smith's College 518.327.6376
Michael> [log in to unmask]
