[CODE4LIB] Whatbird Interface Framework
Hey all, I'm considering trying to create a framework\tool to allow people to create a whatbird.com like interface for other types of datasets (plants, trees, anything really). The idea is to create a framework allowing users to create a discovery tool with attribute selections to narrow down the result set. So, for example, our faculty/students would identify attributes found in all trees (leaf shape, fruit, bark, form, etc.) and then input this data into the tool which would then allow them to input actual trees and associate them with the attributes (as well as input description info, pictures, etc.). The end result would look something like whatbird.com does with birds. This will be a challenge for me (but a good one). My thought is to use a web framework like Django (picked because I know it a little) but am unsure if you can have it organize the database tables with the relationships properly. I considered using solr but thought it would be overkill considering the relatively small datasets this tool would be used to create (under 1000 objects) but in the end it might be a good bet. If approved (I have to talk to the dean of our forestry department to see if he will buy into the idea) I will try and create the bulk of it during January and tweak it the rest of the semester. Anyone interesting in working on this type of project with me? Mike Beccaria Systems Librarian Head of Digital Initiatives Paul Smith's College 518.327.6376 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [CODE4LIB] Whatbird Interface Framework
Mike, It seems like it might be a good project for one of the botanical garden libraries or ag/forestry school libraries. Have you considered asking around to them? I know NY Botanical Garden and the Missouri Botanical Garden both have some pretty sharp people on their staff. -Ross. On Dec 18, 2007 11:30 AM, Michael Beccaria [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hey all, I'm considering trying to create a framework\tool to allow people to create a whatbird.com like interface for other types of datasets (plants, trees, anything really). The idea is to create a framework allowing users to create a discovery tool with attribute selections to narrow down the result set. So, for example, our faculty/students would identify attributes found in all trees (leaf shape, fruit, bark, form, etc.) and then input this data into the tool which would then allow them to input actual trees and associate them with the attributes (as well as input description info, pictures, etc.). The end result would look something like whatbird.com does with birds. This will be a challenge for me (but a good one). My thought is to use a web framework like Django (picked because I know it a little) but am unsure if you can have it organize the database tables with the relationships properly. I considered using solr but thought it would be overkill considering the relatively small datasets this tool would be used to create (under 1000 objects) but in the end it might be a good bet. If approved (I have to talk to the dean of our forestry department to see if he will buy into the idea) I will try and create the bulk of it during January and tweak it the rest of the semester. Anyone interesting in working on this type of project with me? Mike Beccaria Systems Librarian Head of Digital Initiatives Paul Smith's College 518.327.6376 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[CODE4LIB] Whatbird Interface Framework
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 | [EMAIL PROTECTED] Researcher, Information Science, CISTI Research NRC W3C Advisory Committee Representative http://tinyurl.com/yvchmu tel/t??l: 613-990-9163 | facsimile/t??l??copieur 613-952-8246 Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI) National Research Council Canada (NRC)| M-55, 1200 Montreal Road http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ Institut canadien de l'information scientifique et technique (ICIST) Conseil national de recherches Canada | M-55, 1200 chemin Montr??al Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6 Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada -- Michael == Michael Beccaria [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [CODE4LIB] Whatbird Interface Framework
Hi, Since Django is are already in the Python space, you might consider using Zope as a storage backend and application server. Zope provides an object database which is easier to work with than object-relational mapping. It will probably speed up your development time and allow you to focus on what really matters, the domain, instead of the technical details. Regards, Ewout Hey all, I'm considering trying to create a framework\tool to allow people to create a whatbird.com like interface for other types of datasets (plants, trees, anything really). The idea is to create a framework allowing users to create a discovery tool with attribute selections to narrow down the result set. So, for example, our faculty/students would identify attributes found in all trees (leaf shape, fruit, bark, form, etc.) and then input this data into the tool which would then allow them to input actual trees and associate them with the attributes (as well as input description info, pictures, etc.). The end result would look something like whatbird.com does with birds. This will be a challenge for me (but a good one). My thought is to use a web framework like Django (picked because I know it a little) but am unsure if you can have it organize the database tables with the relationships properly. I considered using solr but thought it would be overkill considering the relatively small datasets this tool would be used to create (under 1000 objects) but in the end it might be a good bet. If approved (I have to talk to the dean of our forestry department to see if he will buy into the idea) I will try and create the bulk of it during January and tweak it the rest of the semester. Anyone interesting in working on this type of project with me? Mike Beccaria Systems Librarian Head of Digital Initiatives Paul Smith's College 518.327.6376 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
