[MCN-L] Ask.com's Search Services Deletes Users' Records

[Amalyah Keshet]

A step in the right direction.  





Ask.com's Search Services Deletes Users' Records
 Hoping to establish itself as the Internet's least intrusive search 
engine, Ask.com is empowering people to prevent their search requests from 
being deposited in data banks. When it's turned on, the safeguard purges a 
user's search requests from Ask.com's computers within a few hours.
 Read more: 
http://www.gigalaw.com/news/2007/12/askcoms-search-services-deletes-users.html 
(Source: USA Today)

[MCN-L] Museum database management programs

[Oliver and District Museum]

We currently use DB/TextWorks as our data management system. The museum and
archives use different databases, so we don't mesh well together. I find
textworks clunky, and it does not give good results on searches. For
example, you have to know which field you are going to do a data search
within. The prospect of migrating data into a new program, however, is
unsettling to members of the organization, and there is resistance to the
mention of change.

 

I know there are a lot of dedicated software programs for museums and
archives. Can you help us by outlining:

 

1)   What software do you use and why?

2)   Why would you prefer to use a dedicated software program rather
than a generic database program?

3)   What should go into the decision making process?

4)   I have heard that one software package has been recommended by CHIN
in particular, which one is it? (This is important as we are a Canadian
organization)

5)   What is the best process for migrating data?

6)   Are there data management policies that people may be willing to
share?

 

Thank you for your help!

 

Darryl MacKenzie, BSc(CD), MA

Museum Director/ ODHS Administrator

Oliver and District Heritage Society

Box 847

Oliver, BC

V0H1T0

250-498-0490