Online Dictionary of Crystallography talk:About - Revision history

AndreAuthier: /* APPENDIX: Membership of the Working Group */

2006-07-17T04:51:49Z

‎APPENDIX: Membership of the Working Group

AndreAuthier: /* The granularity of definitions */

2006-07-17T04:45:38Z

‎The granularity of definitions

AndreAuthier at 04:44, 17 July 2006

2006-07-17T04:44:29Z

AndreAuthier: /* Scientific scope */

2006-07-17T04:37:36Z

‎Scientific scope

AndreAuthier at 16:15, 16 July 2006

2006-07-16T16:15:42Z

BrianMcMahon: /* Organization of contributors */

2006-07-15T10:11:45Z

‎Organization of contributors

BrianMcMahon: /* Financial implications */

2006-07-15T10:08:59Z

‎Financial implications

BrianMcMahon: /* Structure of the work */

2006-07-15T10:04:57Z

‎Structure of the work

BrianMcMahon: /* The granularity of definitions */

2006-07-15T10:03:51Z

‎The granularity of definitions

BrianMcMahon: /* Scientific scope */

2006-07-15T10:00:29Z

‎Scientific scope

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:51, 17 July 2006
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	* Brian McMahon		* Brian McMahon

−	Giovanni Ferraris, as Chair of the ''Commission on Inorganic and Mineral Structures'', Massimo Nespolo, as Chair of the	+	Giovanni Ferraris, as Chair of the ''Commission on Inorganic and Mineral Structures'', Massimo Nespolo, as Chair of the ''Commission on Mathematical and Theoretical Crystallography'' and Peter Strickland, Managing Editor of IUCr publications, as observer, subsequently joined the group. Howard Flack also provided sample entries and useful feedback.
−	''Commission on Mathematical and Theoretical Crystallography'' and Peter Strickland, Managing Editor of IUCr publications,
−	as observer subsequently joined the group. Howard Flack also provided sample entries and useful feedback.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 == The granularity of definitions==
-The Working Group recommends a reference product that is a blend between “dictionary” and “encyclopaedia”: a list of terms with short definitions and cross-links to other entries in the work, with at times longer developments. These longer developments are presented on a separate page that one accesses ''via'' a hyperlink (see for instance the page ''[[arithmetic crystal classes]]''). Hyperlinks are also provided to other web resources of the IUCr (Teaching Pamphlets, CIF dictionaries, ''International Tables'', Journals). For instance, in the entry ''[[reciprocal lattice]]'', hyperlinks are given to the corresponding pamphlet on the IUCr web site (open access) and to the appropriate chapters of ''IT Volumes A, B, C'' and ''D''; for these it is for the Executive Committee to decide (after recommendation from the Finance Committee) whether such links will be free access or not. As other examples, the entry ''[[CIF]]'' has links to Journal articles (subscribers only or by buying the articles) and the entry [[Bragg's law]] to [http://www.iucr.org/iucr-top/publ/50YearsOfXrayDiffraction/ 50 Years of X-ray Diffraction] (free access). Hyperlinks to other web sites such as the IUPAC web sites or educational web sites can also be provided, if appropriate (see, for instance  the entry ''[[absolute structure]]'').
+The Working Group recommends a reference product that is a blend between “dictionary” and “encyclopaedia”: a list of terms with short definitions and cross-links to other entries in the work, with at times longer developments. These longer developments are presented on a separate page that one accesses ''via'' a hyperlink (see for instance the page ''[[arithmetic crystal classes]]''). Hyperlinks are also provided to other web resources of the IUCr (Teaching Pamphlets, CIF dictionaries, ''International Tables'', Journals). For instance, in the entry ''[[reciprocal lattice]]'', hyperlinks are given to the corresponding pamphlet on the IUCr web site (open access) and to the appropriate chapters of ''IT Volumes A, B, C'' and ''D''; for these it is for the Executive Committee to decide (after recommendation from the Finance Committee) whether such links will be free access or not. As other examples, the entry ''[[CIF]]'' has links to Journal articles (subscribers only or by buying the articles) and the entry ''[[Bragg's law]]'' to [http://www.iucr.org/iucr-top/publ/50YearsOfXrayDiffraction/ 50 Years of X-ray Diffraction] (free access). Hyperlinks to other web sites such as the IUPAC web sites or educational web sites can also be provided, if appropriate (see, for instance  the entry ''[[absolute structure]]'').
 The general pattern of a typical page is:

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 == Scientific scope==
-Broadly speaking, the project should be confined to the subject of crystallography, the area of science over which the IUCr has authority. Terms selected for inclusion should have a clear crystallographic implication and terms from connected disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry, mineralogy, biology, computational data processing, ''etc.'') should be included insofar as they relate to crystallography, ''e.g.'' ''crystallographic group''. Names of chemical or biological substances or minerals should not be included at the present stage, but terms such as ''albite twin law'' should. Reference to computer programs ''per se'' should not be included, but there might be instances when it becomes essential, ''e.g.'' ''SHELX''. Names of people should only be included if they relate to crystallographic concepts, ''e.g.'' ''[[Bragg's law]]'', ''[[Ewald sphere]]''. Double-word items such as “X-ray interferometry” should be entered as such. A search on “interferometry “ will automatically retrieve them. Equations, tables and figures are included where necessary (see, for instance, the entry ''[[Bragg's law]]'').
+Broadly speaking, the project should be confined to the subject of crystallography, the area of science over which the IUCr has authority. Terms selected for inclusion should have a clear crystallographic implication and terms from connected disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry, mineralogy, biology, computational data processing, ''etc.'') should be included insofar as they relate to crystallography, ''e.g.'' ''crystallographic group''. Names of chemical or biological substances or minerals should not be included at the present stage, but terms such as ''albite twin law'' should. Reference to computer programs ''per se'' should not be included, but there might be instances when it becomes essential, ''e.g.'' ''SHELX''. Names of people should only be included if they relate to crystallographic concepts, ''e.g.'' ''[[Bragg's law]]'', ''[[Ewald sphere]]''. Double-word items such as “X-ray interferometry” should be entered as such. A search on “interferometry “ will automatically retrieve them. Equations, tables and figures are included where necessary (see, for instance, the entries ''[[Bragg's law]]'' and ''[[arithmetic crystal classes]]'').
 The Working Group considers that translations of terms in other languages than English should be given, but the definitions should not be translated into other languages. The pilot demonstrates many translations into French, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian. Because it is impossible to collect a comprehensive set of translations at any one time, an advantage of the WiKi approach is the ability to extend the list of translations at any time.
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 == The granularity of definitions==
-The Working Group recommends a reference product that is a blend between “dictionary” and “encyclopaedia”: a list of terms with short definitions and cross-links to other entries in the work, with at times longer developments. These longer developments are presented on a separate page that one accesses ''via'' a hyperlink (see for instance the page [[arithmetic crystal classes]]). Hyperlinks are also provided to other web resources of the IUCr (Teaching Pamphlets, CIF dictionaries, ''International Tables'', Journals). For instance, in the entry ''[[reciprocal lattice]]'', hyperlinks are given to the corresponding pamphlet on the IUCr web site (open access) and to the appropriate chapters of ''IT Volumes A, B, C'' and ''D''; for these it is for the Executive Committee to decide (after recommendation from the Finance Committee) whether such links will be free access or not. As other examples, the entry ''[[CIF]]'' has links to Journal articles (subscribers only or by buying the articles) and the entry [[Bragg's law]] to [http://www.iucr.org/iucr-top/publ/50YearsOfXrayDiffraction/ 50 Years of X-ray Diffraction] (free access). Hyperlinks to other web sites such as the IUPAC web sites or educational web sites can also be provided, if appropriate (see, for instance  the entry ''[[absolute structure]]'').
+The Working Group recommends a reference product that is a blend between “dictionary” and “encyclopaedia”: a list of terms with short definitions and cross-links to other entries in the work, with at times longer developments. These longer developments are presented on a separate page that one accesses ''via'' a hyperlink (see for instance the page ''[[arithmetic crystal classes]]''). Hyperlinks are also provided to other web resources of the IUCr (Teaching Pamphlets, CIF dictionaries, ''International Tables'', Journals). For instance, in the entry ''[[reciprocal lattice]]'', hyperlinks are given to the corresponding pamphlet on the IUCr web site (open access) and to the appropriate chapters of ''IT Volumes A, B, C'' and ''D''; for these it is for the Executive Committee to decide (after recommendation from the Finance Committee) whether such links will be free access or not. As other examples, the entry ''[[CIF]]'' has links to Journal articles (subscribers only or by buying the articles) and the entry [[Bragg's law]] to [http://www.iucr.org/iucr-top/publ/50YearsOfXrayDiffraction/ 50 Years of X-ray Diffraction] (free access). Hyperlinks to other web sites such as the IUPAC web sites or educational web sites can also be provided, if appropriate (see, for instance  the entry ''[[absolute structure]]'').
 The general pattern of a typical page is:

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 == Scientific scope==
-Broadly speaking, the project should be confined to the subject of crystallography, the area of science over which the IUCr has authority. Terms selected for inclusion should have a clear crystallographic implication and terms from connected disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry, mineralogy, biology, computational data processing, ''etc.'') should be included insofar as they relate to crystallography, ''e.g.'' ''crystallographic group''. Names of chemical or biological substances or minerals should not be included at the present stage, but terms such as ''albite twin law'' should. Reference to computer programs ''per se'' should not be included, but there might be instances when it becomes essential, ''e.g.'' ''SHELX''. Names of people should only be included if they relate to crystallographic concepts, ''e.g.'' ''[[Bragg's law]]'', ''[[Ewald sphere]]''. Double-word items such as “X-ray interferometry” should be entered as such. A search on “interferometry “ will automatically retrieve them. Equations and figures are included where necessary (see, for instance, the entry ''[[Bragg's law]]'').
+Broadly speaking, the project should be confined to the subject of crystallography, the area of science over which the IUCr has authority. Terms selected for inclusion should have a clear crystallographic implication and terms from connected disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry, mineralogy, biology, computational data processing, ''etc.'') should be included insofar as they relate to crystallography, ''e.g.'' ''crystallographic group''. Names of chemical or biological substances or minerals should not be included at the present stage, but terms such as ''albite twin law'' should. Reference to computer programs ''per se'' should not be included, but there might be instances when it becomes essential, ''e.g.'' ''SHELX''. Names of people should only be included if they relate to crystallographic concepts, ''e.g.'' ''[[Bragg's law]]'', ''[[Ewald sphere]]''. Double-word items such as “X-ray interferometry” should be entered as such. A search on “interferometry “ will automatically retrieve them. Equations, tables and figures are included where necessary (see, for instance, the entry ''[[Bragg's law]]'').
 The Working Group considers that translations of terms in other languages than English should be given, but the definitions should not be translated into other languages. The pilot demonstrates many translations into French, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian. Because it is impossible to collect a comprehensive set of translations at any one time, an advantage of the WiKi approach is the ability to extend the list of translations at any time.

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 It is proposed that the project should be executed initially as solely an online project because of the flexibility of the online medium, the fact that there is no limit on the number of entries, the possibility of hyperlinks to IUCr and other web resources. The present form of the project follows the ''Wikipedia'' pattern and makes use of the ''mediawiki'' software (see Technical Considerations). It was implemented by the Research and Development Officer, Brian McMahon.
-It will always be possible at a later stage to consider a physical book with a CD containing all the hyperlinks, if such a product is considered desirable.
+It will always be possible at a later stage to consider a physical book with a CD containing all the hyperlinks, if it appears that there is a need for such a product.
 == Scientific scope==
-Broadly speaking, the project should be confined to the subject of crystallography, the area of science over which the IUCr has authority. Terms selected for inclusion should have a clear crystallographic implication and terms from connected disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry, mineralogy, biology, computational data processing, ''etc.'') should be included insofar as they relate to crystallography, ''e.g.'' ''crystallographic group''. Names of chemical or biological substances or minerals should not be included at the present stage, but terms such as ''albite twin law'' should. Reference to computer programs ''per se'' should not be included, but there might be instances when it becomes essential, ''e.g.'' ''SHELX''. Names of people should only be included if they relate to crystallographic concepts, ''e.g.'' [[Bragg's law]], [[Ewald sphere]]. Double-word items such as “X-ray interferometry” should be entered as such. A search on “interferometry “ will automatically retrieve them. Equations and figures are included where necessary (see, for instance, the entry [[Bragg's law]]).
+Broadly speaking, the project should be confined to the subject of crystallography, the area of science over which the IUCr has authority. Terms selected for inclusion should have a clear crystallographic implication and terms from connected disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry, mineralogy, biology, computational data processing, ''etc.'') should be included insofar as they relate to crystallography, ''e.g.'' ''crystallographic group''. Names of chemical or biological substances or minerals should not be included at the present stage, but terms such as ''albite twin law'' should. Reference to computer programs ''per se'' should not be included, but there might be instances when it becomes essential, ''e.g.'' ''SHELX''. Names of people should only be included if they relate to crystallographic concepts, ''e.g.'' ''[[Bragg's law]]'', ''[[Ewald sphere]]''. Double-word items such as “X-ray interferometry” should be entered as such. A search on “interferometry “ will automatically retrieve them. Equations and figures are included where necessary (see, for instance, the entry ''[[Bragg's law]]'').
 The Working Group considers that translations of terms in other languages than English should be given, but the definitions should not be translated into other languages. The pilot demonstrates many translations into French, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian. Because it is impossible to collect a comprehensive set of translations at any one time, an advantage of the WiKi approach is the ability to extend the list of translations at any time.
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 == The granularity of definitions==
-The Working Group recommends a reference product that is a blend between “dictionary” and “encyclopaedia”: a list of terms with short definitions and cross-links to other entries in the work, with at times longer developments. These longer developments are presented on a separate page that one accesses ''via'' a hyperlink (see for instance the page [[arithmetic crystal classes]]). Hyperlinks are also provided to other web resources of the IUCr (Teaching Pamphlets, CIF dictionaries, ''International Tables'', Journals). For instance, in the entry ''[[reciprocal lattice]]'', hyperlinks are given to the corresponding pamphlet on the IUCr web site (open access) and to the appropriate chapters of ''IT Volumes A, B, C'' and ''D''; for these it is for the Executive Committee to decide (after recommendation from the Finance Committee) whether such links will be free access or not. As other examples, the entry ''[[CIF]]'' has links to Journal articles (subscribers only or by buying the articles) and the entry [[Bragg's law]] to [http://www.iucr.org/iucr-top/publ/50YearsOfXrayDiffraction/ 50 Years of X-ray Diffraction] (free access). Hyperlinks to other web sites such as the IUPAC web sites or educational web sites can also be provided, if appropriate (see, for instance  the entry [[absolute structure]]).
+The Working Group recommends a reference product that is a blend between “dictionary” and “encyclopaedia”: a list of terms with short definitions and cross-links to other entries in the work, with at times longer developments. These longer developments are presented on a separate page that one accesses ''via'' a hyperlink (see for instance the page [[arithmetic crystal classes]]). Hyperlinks are also provided to other web resources of the IUCr (Teaching Pamphlets, CIF dictionaries, ''International Tables'', Journals). For instance, in the entry ''[[reciprocal lattice]]'', hyperlinks are given to the corresponding pamphlet on the IUCr web site (open access) and to the appropriate chapters of ''IT Volumes A, B, C'' and ''D''; for these it is for the Executive Committee to decide (after recommendation from the Finance Committee) whether such links will be free access or not. As other examples, the entry ''[[CIF]]'' has links to Journal articles (subscribers only or by buying the articles) and the entry [[Bragg's law]] to [http://www.iucr.org/iucr-top/publ/50YearsOfXrayDiffraction/ 50 Years of X-ray Diffraction] (free access). Hyperlinks to other web sites such as the IUPAC web sites or educational web sites can also be provided, if appropriate (see, for instance  the entry ''[[absolute structure]]'').
 The general pattern of a typical page is:
@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 == Structure of the work==
-The work will be structured in several ways to assist navigation. The terms are entered alphabetically and can be retrieved alphabetically, but the WiKi software allows an ordering by categories and subcategories. Each entry can be attached to one or more categories (and subcategories). At the time of writing, categories are being assigned to entries on an ''ad hoc'' basis in an attempt to determine suitable  structuring mechanisms. A click on a category provides links to all the entries related to that category. The present list of categories is given on the Main Page. As an example the subcategory [http://reference.iucr.org/dictionary/Category:Twinning Twinning] has been introduced in the category
+The work will be structured in several ways to assist navigation. The terms are entered alphabetically and can be retrieved alphabetically, but the WiKi software allows an ordering by categories and subcategories. Each entry can be attached to one or more categories (and subcategories). At the time of writing, categories are being assigned to entries on an ''ad hoc'' basis in an attempt to determine suitable  structuring mechanisms. A click on a category provides links to all the entries related to that category. The present list of categories is given on the Main Page. As an example the subcategory [http://reference.iucr.org/dictionary/Category:Twinning ''Twinning''] has been introduced in the category
-[http://reference.iucr.org/dictionary/Category:Fundamental_crystallography# Fundamental crystallography].
+[http://reference.iucr.org/dictionary/Category:Fundamental_crystallography# ''Fundamental crystallography''].
 There are several advantages to having categories and subcategories. One is to allow searches on areas of interest, for instance if you are looking for a particular type of [[twinning]], but don’t remember its exact name. Another one is to make the work of preparing the dictionary easier by assigning editors and subeditors to categories and subcategories. Their duty would be to oversee the definitions and to check that there are no obvious omissions.
@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 = Financial implications =
-The project as initially envisaged will rely heavily on volunteer labour and existing hardware resources. The current pilot implementation shares the same hardware as the main IUCr web site (although is managed as a separate virtual server, so can easily be moved to its own server machine if required). Some additional software development will be required (''e.g.'' implementation of a reliable backup strategy, modifications to the style to conform with other IUCr web components); but so long as these are not time-critical, they can be absorbed within the existing workload of the R&D
+The project as initially envisaged will rely heavily on volunteer labour and existing hardware resources. The current pilot implementation shares the same hardware as the main IUCr web site (although it is managed as a separate virtual server, and so can easily be moved to its own server machine if required). Some additional software development will be required (''e.g.'' implementation of a reliable backup strategy, modifications to the style to conform with other IUCr web components); but so long as these are not time-critical, they can be absorbed within the existing workload of the R&D
 department. Significant software developments (such as creation of a hard-copy edition) would need to be assessed and costed separately. Note that hardware costs in the event of a migration to a separate server would be modest (''e.g.'' of the order of GBP 1000 would suffice for a powerful dedicated machine).

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 Efficiency, however, requires that the work should be done under the supervision of a Main Editor or Editor-in-Chief and and a small number of appointed Editors (and subeditors) for the various categories (and subcategories), chosen in priority among the CCN members and consultants.
-The initial experience of the Working Group has been, however, that even the greatest enthusiasts for the project are so busy that they find it difficult to spend the time necessary to make substantial contributions. The authoring privilege has been extended recently to the rest of the CCN. Early indications are that, again, the rate of accretion of new definitions is slower than we would like to see. One can but conclude than financial incitation is required if one wants the project to proceed at a reasonable pace.
+The initial experience of the Working Group has been, however, that even the greatest enthusiasts for the project are so busy that they find it difficult to spend the time necessary to make substantial contributions. The authoring privilege has been extended recently to the rest of the CCN. Early indications are that, again, the rate of accretion of new definitions is slower than we would like to see. It is likely that individuals will need to be recruited and charged with populating specific topic areas with content if one wants the project to proceed at a reasonable pace. This may involve some financial incentive.
 == Presentation==

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 added costs.
-The Finance Committee should monitor the possible need for payment of editorial honoraria. It is expected that the project will require an Editor-in-Chief responsible for its overall shape and direction (at present this role is filled by the project initiator, Professor Authier). The roles of such an Editor-in-Chief will also cover the possible appointment of subsidiary editors to supervise the collection of definitions in topic areas where they have particular expertise, and the commissioning of definitions or sets of definitions to address topics not currently covered. The
+The Finance Committee should monitor the possible need for payment of editorial honoraria. It is expected that the project will require an Editor-in-Chief responsible for its overall shape and direction (at present this role is filled by the project initiator, Professor Authier). The roles of such an Editor-in-Chief will also cover the possible appointment of subsidiary editors to supervise the collection of definitions in topic areas where they have particular expertise, and the commissioning of definitions or sets of definitions to address topics not currently covered. The number and roles of secondary editors will depend in part on the readiness of the volunteer pool of contributors to identify deficiencies and provide needed definitions without prompting. The experience of the ''Wikipedia'' project suggests that this is possible in principle, but the early experience of the pilot suggests that significant effort will be needed in the early stages to build a critical mass of content that will inspire more active involvement by volunteer contributors.
 = Technical Considerations=

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 == The granularity of definitions==
-The Working Group recommends a reference product that is a blend between “dictionary” and “encyclopaedia”: a list of terms with short definitions and cross-links to other entries in the work, with at times longer developments. These longer developments are to be written on a separate page that one accesses via a hyperlink (see for instance the page [[arithmetic crystal classes]]). Hyperlinks are also provided to other web resources of the IUCr (Teaching Pamphlets, CIF
+The Working Group recommends a reference product that is a blend between “dictionary” and “encyclopaedia”: a list of terms with short definitions and cross-links to other entries in the work, with at times longer developments. These longer developments are presented on a separate page that one accesses ''via'' a hyperlink (see for instance the page [[arithmetic crystal classes]]). Hyperlinks are also provided to other web resources of the IUCr (Teaching Pamphlets, CIF dictionaries, ''International Tables'', Journals). For instance, in the entry ''[[reciprocal lattice]]'', hyperlinks are given to the corresponding pamphlet on the IUCr web site (open access) and to the appropriate chapters of ''IT Volumes A, B, C'' and ''D''; for these it is for the Executive Committee to decide (after recommendation from the Finance Committee) whether such links will be free access or not. As other examples, the entry ''[[CIF]]'' has links to Journal articles (subscribers only or by buying the articles) and the entry [[Bragg's law]] to [http://www.iucr.org/iucr-top/publ/50YearsOfXrayDiffraction/ 50 Years of X-ray Diffraction] (free access). Hyperlinks to other web sites such as the IUPAC web sites or educational web sites can also be provided, if appropriate (see, for instance  the entry [[absolute structure]]).
-The general pattern of typical page is:
+The general pattern of a typical page is:
 * translation of the term in other languages,
@@ Line 35: / Line 34: @@
 * examples or applications or special cases
 * history
 * list of links to other entries or to IUCr or other web pages
 == Structure of the work==