In response to John Carmichael and John Davis, who discussed the BSS glossary project:
I have been working on preparing a glossary of sundial terms, with international comparisons. This will be part of the forthcoming interpretive catalogue of 500 historical sundials that I'm writing for the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum (Chicago). Some time ago, I also agreed to allow NASS to publish a version as well for use by dialists. I think it would be wise to pool our information or prepare a jointly authored and jointly sponsored work. I would very much like to work on such a project. But I think this is a matter for the Boards of the BSS and NASS to decide. It has not yet been discussed by us. As for the glossary being part of a FAQ list, I tend to think that is not the place for it. Some basic terms should definitely be defined in the FAQ list, but most of the glossary may well be arcane to the average person. Remember that a FAQ list is meant for newcomers to a field. The simpler the FAQ list--the more rudimentary the material--the better it will serve those newcomers. This is a case where less is more. Otherwise you will scare those newcomers away. (here I'm wearing my museum curator/educator/exhibit designer hats) That is not to say that there is no place online for hefty substance and nitty gritty details. There could be a site with information of use to more advanced dialists. A "full" glossary could still be put online sometime if either society saw fit. Sara Schechner NASS Secretary 39N 77W ------------------------------------------------------- Sara Schechner, Ph.D. Center for History of Physics American Institute of Physics 1 Physics Ellipse College Park, MD 20740 Tel: 301-209-3166 / Fax: 301-209-0841 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gnomon Research __Curators on Call __Outreach Adventures 1142 Loxford Terrace Silver Spring, MD 20901 Tel/Fax: 301-593-2626 http://www.wam.umd.edu/~sschech [EMAIL PROTECTED]
