For years, I've lamented the lack of a global database for tabletweaving samples. When Nancy's book came out on brocades, I rejoiced, but unless she's planning a sequel, it only tells part of the story. For the last three years, I've been harrassing all of my programming friends to help me develop a web based program where people can run searches for a variety of criteria. They all said that it was quite doable, but none of them had the time / knowledge for creating what I wanted.
So I'm going with a slightly lower grade alternative - google docs. I've created an excel spreadsheet where I've started entering information - due to approaching exams (and a 3-year old) I haven't gotten very far. Most of it is just from flipping through Collingwood, and from Prof. Gervers database of the Ethiopian curtains. This is my first google doc, so I have no idea what problems will appear. One might be that not everyone will be able to edit the file. So if you can't add / edit the file, just send the info to me and I'll enter it. http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AtC-z2cOO-nIdDg0czh2S0d6LUZnTWZBeGVENzhzaWc&hl=en (I'm actually in need of specifics on norse bands around the first millenium, so that information would be especially appreciated.) And for those of you who are programmers (or know one you can blackmail), the longterm goal is to have the search function punch out a map that you can colour code for era, pattern, fibre etc. I know that this could be very useful once finished, and I hope that many of you will pitch in with little known pieces from your local museums. Robert Schweitzer (aka Rufus of Stamford)
