This went to the Advisory Board. I have made a few comments.
"Garnett J.(Joe) Zsedeny" wrote:
I asked the Archives FMs for their private comments on
Motion 00-6. Of those responding all felt they could live
with the motion but were unanimous in wanting all census
files placed in the appropiate state\county directory. Then
I rewrote paragraphs 2 and 3, got their approval on the
rewrites and, therefore, move to amend those paragraphs to
read:
The rewrites were not discussed on archives-L, and I was not aware. Joe
had conferred with me on some points before, and he already knew my
opinions and concerns. (included in some of my comments below)
2. The directories that are currently being used by Census
II to be purged and made available
for storage of census transcription software or other items
as deemed necessary by the merged
Census Project staff and management. All database files, new
or previously existing, are to be stored in the appropriate
state\county directories.
Agreed - except the database files cannot be stored in the ftp text
directory. I had an account set up to store the databases (.dbf) but
lost access to that account
3. The census files will be formatted and uploaded to the
appropriate state\county directory
of the Archives/Digital Library by the Census Project staff
member (FM or other supportive
personnel). Archives FMs will handle only regular Archives
files unless they fill the dual
roll of Census Project staff member and Archive FM. Any
Archive file manager desiring the dual
roll will be accepted. The Census directories will have
separate password access from the rest of the
Archives/Digital Library.
REASONING A separate directory is not needed for the census
project. TOC links can be made
directly to the state\county directories. This makes for a
simple file structure, one upload,
and the Archive file managers have the option of joining the
project or not, an option not
heretofore available to them automatically. Many do not like
someone else mucking around in
their state project directories.
The archivists/file managers are going to have to follow even stricter
guidelines for census project standard files. They cannot be moved, or
renamed once uploaded. One of the problems in the past was caused by
file managers renaming or moving files, resulting in broken links on the
Census project recruitment pages.
Also.... Doc went out of his way, working to create the individual
fedcens directories under each state/county/census directory for the
recent merge discussions - agreed to by both CP and ACP. The motion is
directing Doc to make changes again without asking if it can be done.
(more comments below)
The complete Motion 00-6 then would read:
For clarity, the term "Census II" refers to the project
currently known as
the Census Project, and "Census I" refers to the project
currently
known as The Archives Census Project.
In order to bring the two census projects currently
operating in the
USGenWeb Project together,
1. The name of the project will be "The USGenWeb Census
Project"
Disagree. To distinguish the census project as it was originally created
by us.. to get files *in* the USGW Archives (digital library), it must
have the original name: USGenWeb Archives Census Project.
My reasons:
1. From the beginning, it has been confusing to visitors and volunteers
if the project is not identified properly. Several months after we
started the Census Project, people thought it was part of USIGS, and the
first webmaster even had a "donate to USIGS" button on the page, with a
link to Jerry Dill, treasurer. It took a few weeks for me to get the
webmaster, president of USIGS, to remove that button.
2. If "Archives" is not included in the name, some county coordinators
think the census transcriptions are meant to be located on their county
site server. They can be located there also, in html or whatever, *with*
permission from the transcriber.
2. The directories that are currently being used by Census
II to be purged and made available
for storage of census transcription software or other items
as deemed necessary by the merged
Census Project staff and management. All database files, new
or previously existing, are to be stored in the appropriate
state\county directories.
> 3. The census files will be formatted and uploaded to the
> appropriate state\county directory
> of the Archives/Digital Library by the Census Project staff
> member (FM or other supportive
> personnel). Archives FMs will handle only regular Archives
> files unless they fill the dual
> roll of Census Project staff member and Archive FM. Any
> Archive file manager desiring the dual
> roll will be accepted. The Census directories will have
> separate password access from the rest of the
> Archives/Digital Library.
>
> 4. Personnel from both Census I and II to be combined. In
> cases where
> there ends up to be more than 1 state census coordinator/FM
> for a combined
> state, the coordinators/FMs for that state will be given the
> opportunity to
> become co-coordinators.
>
> 5. An election to be held *as soon as possible* (not wait
> until July) to
> elect a Census Project Coordinator. Staff from what *was*
> both
> Census I and II to be eligible to vote, including state
> census
> coordinators, FMs and current management teams and
> supportive
> personnel.
>
Maggie has worked for months getting the ACP back in order, and has
built up a wonderful volunteer staff. As far as I'm concerned, Kay
effectively resigned from the ACP in November 1998, and Maggie is her
replacement. If Maggie ever resigns, then an election can be held for a
new coordinator.
6. Autonomy, as laid out in the bylaws, for the integrated
Census Project.
7. Regarding the national and state tables of content (TOC)
and adjacent or
related Census Project pages: After the special election
for Census Project
Coordinator has taken place, and a new Census Project
management team
is in place, a determination will be made by the new mgmt
team as to whether
to use the existing TOC style from Census I, Census II, or
to come up with
something completely new.
8. The USGenWeb Project Advisory board will have the
authority to de-link
either project if that project fails to act in good faith.
Joe
The USGenWeb Archives volunteers have been doing a wonderful job of
getting data online. We have strict guidelines to follow, and are
building a permanent archives/digital library for researchers. When we
create a special project within the Archives, the purpose is to enhance
and improve the data for researchers. It is a slap in the face to all of
us when another volunteer or volunteers tries to change our focus and/or
change our guidelines. Those guidelines are the basis of this successful
digital library. I have stressed those guidelines for almost four years,
and insisted they be followed to retain order and an organized ftp
directory.
I just heard from Joe, and he said nine archivists/file managers
contacted him privately. They mostly want the census text files in the
state/county/census directories, as the guidelines state. That will not
change, and is not changed now. One of the purposes of the
/pub/usgenweb/census directory is to help organize the census project
and prevent broken links. It's duplication, but was the only solution to
a few problems, and a solution agreed to by both CP and ACP.
As far as the motion, I agree to most, with a slight change in the
reference to "databases", as opposed to text files.
Joe told me he would vote the wishes of the majority of the file
managers. As the coordinator of the USGenWeb Archives, I am asking all
of you to agree that the name of the combined project be returned to the
original: USGenWeb Archives Census Project. I cannot say enough how
important that minor issue is. If the name does not identify it as part
of the USGenWeb Archives, it's almost guaranteed there will be similar
problems to the latest fiasco, down the road.
Thanks,
Linda